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Dell Inspiron 531 Owner's Manual - Page 88

Restoring Your Operating System, Using Microsoft Windows System Restore - factory restore

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3 Select the option that best describes the problem and follow the troubleshooting steps. NOTE: Windows Vista is a new operating system, so many older devices may not have drivers or applications for Windows Vista. Check with your hardware manufacturer for further information on their device. NOTE: If you do not find the answer in the items categorized in Troubleshooting, you can get Online Help - type in your question in the Search Help. Restoring Your Operating System You can restore your operating system in the following ways: • System Restore returns your computer to an earlier operating state without affecting data files. Use System Restore as the first solution for restoring your operating system and preserving data files. • Dell PC Restore by Symantec (available in Windows XP) and Dell Factory Image Restore (available in Windows Vista) restore your hard drive to the operating state it was in when you purchased the computer. Both permanently delete all data on the hard drive and remove any programs installed after you received the computer. Use Dell PC Restore or Dell Factory Image Restore only if System Restore did not resolve your operating system problem. • If you received an Operating System CD with your computer, you can use it to restore your operating system. Use the CD only if System Restore did not resolve your operating system problem. Using Microsoft Windows System Restore The Windows operating systems provide a System Restore option which allows you to return your computer to an earlier operating state (without affecting data files) if changes to the hardware, software, or other system settings have left the computer in an undesirable operating state. Any changes that System Restore makes to your computer are completely reversible. See the Windows Help and Support Center for information on using System Restore. To access the Windows Help and Support Center, see "Windows Help and Support Center" on page 14. NOTICE: Make regular backups of your data files. System Restore does not monitor your data files or recover them. NOTE: The procedures in this document were written for the Windows default view, so they may not apply if you set your Dell™ computer to the Windows Classic view. 88 Troubleshooting Tools

Section	Page
Dell™ Inspiron™ 531 Owner’s Manual	1
Finding Information	11
Setting Up and Using Your Computer	15
Front View of the Computer	15
Back View of the Computer	17
Back Panel Connectors	18
Installing Your Computer in an Enclosure	20
Setting Up a Printer	22
Printer Cable	22
Connecting a USB Printer	22
Playing CDs and DVDs	24
Adjusting the Volume	25
Adjusting the Picture	26
Copying CDs and DVDs	27
How to Copy a CD or DVD	27
Using Blank CDs and DVDs	28
Helpful Tips	29
Using a Media Card Reader (Optional)	30
Connecting Two Monitors	31
Connecting Two Monitors With VGA Connectors	31
Connecting One Monitor With a VGA Connector and One Monitor With a DVI Connector	32
Connecting a TV	32
Changing the Display Settings	33
Power Management	33
Power Management Options in Microsoft® Windows® XP	33
Standby Mode	33
Hibernate Mode	34
Power Options Properties	35
Power Schemes Tab	35
Advanced Tab	36
Hibernate Tab	36
Power Management Options in Windows Vista®	36
Standby Mode	37
Hibernate Mode	38
Power Plan Properties	38
Enabling Cool ’n’ Quiet Technology	40
About RAID Configurations (For Windows Vista only)	40
RAID Level 1 Configuration	41
Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID	42
Using the Nvidia MediaShield ROM Utility	43
Using Nvidia MediaShield	44
Transferring Information to a New Computer	44
Setting Up a Home and Office Network	47
Connecting to a Network Adapter	47
Network Setup Wizard	47
Connecting to the Internet	48
Setting Up Your Internet Connection	49
Solving Problems	51
Troubleshooting Tips	51
Battery Problems	51
Drive Problems	52
CD and DVD drive problems	53
Hard drive problems	54
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems	54
Error Messages	56
Keyboard Problems	58
Lockups and Software Problems	58
The computer does not start up	58
The computer stops responding	59
A program stops responding	59
A program crashes repeatedly	59
A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft® Windows® operating system	60
A solid blue screen appears	60
Other software problems	61
Media Card Reader Problems	62
Memory Problems	63
Mouse Problems	64
Network Problems	65
Power Problems	66
Printer Problems	67
Scanner Problems	69
Sound and Speaker Problems	70
No sound from speakers	70
No sound from headphones	71
Video and Monitor Problems	71
If the screen is blank	72
If the screen is difficult to read	72
Troubleshooting Tools	75
Power Lights	75
Beep Codes	76
System Messages	78
Dell Diagnostics	80
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics	80
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive	80
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities Media	81
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu	81
Drivers	83
What is a Driver?	83
Identifying Drivers	84
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities	84
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities	87
Restoring Your Operating System	88
Using Microsoft Windows System Restore	88
Using Dell PC Restore and Dell Factory Image Restore	91
Using the Operating System CD	94
Removing and Installing Parts	97
Before You Begin	97
Recommended Tools	97
Turning Off Your Computer	98
Before Working Inside Your Computer	98
Removing the Computer Cover	99
Inside View of Your Computer	101
System Board Components	102
Power Supply DC Connector Pin Assignments	104
Memory	107
Memory Installation Guidelines	108
Installing Memory	109
Removing Memory	111
Cards	111
PCI and PCI Express Cards	112
Bezel	118
Removing the Bezel	118
Replacing the Bezel	119
Drives	120
Recommended Drive Cable Connections	121
Connecting Drive Cables	121
Drive Interface Connectors	121
Connecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables	122
Hard Drives	122
Installing a Second Hard Drive	125
Floppy Drive	127
Media Card Reader	133
CD or DVD Drive	136
Battery	142
Replacing the Battery	142
Power Supply	143
Replacing the Power Supply	143
Processor	145
Removing the Processor	145
Installing the Processor	148
I/O Panel	151
Removing the I/O Panel	151
Installing the I/O Panel	152
Processor Fan	154
Removing the Processor Fan	154
Installing the Processor Fan	157
Chassis Fan	159
Removing the Chassis Fan	160
Replacing the Chassis Fan	161
System Board	162
Removing the System Board	162
Installing the System Board	164
Replacing the Computer Cover	164
Appendix	167
Specifications	167
System Setup	172
Overview	172
Entering System Setup	172
System Setup Options	173
Boot Sequence	175
Clearing Forgotten Passwords	176
Clearing CMOS Settings	177
Flashing the BIOS	178
Cleaning Your Computer	179
Computer, Keyboard, and Monitor	179
Mouse	179
Floppy Drive	180
CDs and DVDs	180
Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)	180
Definition of \	181
Definition of \	181
FCC Notice (U.S. Only)	181
FCC Class B	181
Getting Help	183
Obtaining Assistance	183
Technical Support and Customer Service	183
DellConnect	184
Online Services	184
AutoTech Service	185
Automated Order-Status Service	185
Problems With Your Order	185
Product Information	185
Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit	186
Before You Call	186
Contacting Dell	188
Glossary	189

Match case Limit results 1 per page

Troubleshooting Tools

Select the option that best describes the problem and follow the

troubleshooting steps.

NOTE:

Windows Vista is a new operating system, so many older devices may

not have drivers or applications for Windows Vista. Check with your hardware

manufacturer for further information on their device.

NOTE:

If you do not find the answer in the items categorized in Troubleshooting,

you can get Online Help - type in your question in the Search Help.

Restoring Your Operating System

You can restore your operating system in the following ways:

•

System Restore returns your computer to an earlier operating state without

affecting data files. Use System Restore as the first solution for restoring

your operating system and preserving data files.

•

Dell PC Restore by Symantec (available in Windows XP) and Dell Factory

Image Restore (available in Windows Vista) restore your hard drive to the

operating state it was in when you purchased the computer. Both permanently

delete all data on the hard drive and remove any programs installed after you

received the computer. Use Dell PC Restore or Dell Factory Image Restore

only if System Restore did not resolve your operating system problem.

•

If you received

Operating System

CD with your computer, you can use it

to restore your operating system. Use the CD

only

if System Restore did

not resolve your operating system problem.

Using Microsoft Windows System Restore

The Windows operating systems provide a System Restore option which

allows you to return your computer to an earlier operating state (without

affecting data files) if changes to the hardware, software, or other system

settings have left the computer in an undesirable operating state. Any

changes that System Restore makes to your computer are completely

reversible. See the Windows Help and Support Center for information on

using System Restore. To access the Windows Help and Support Center, see

"Windows Help and Support Center" on page 14.

NOTICE:

Make regular backups of your data files. System Restore does not

monitor your data files or recover them.

NOTE:

The procedures in this document were written for the Windows default view,

so they may not apply if you set your Dell™ computer to the Windows Classic view.