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Dell Inspiron 710m Owner's Manual - Page 49

Drivers, What Is a Driver?, Identifying Drivers - memory upgrade

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Tab Help Configuration Parameters Function Describes the test and may indicate requirements for running the test. Displays your hardware configuration for the selected device. The Dell Diagnostics obtains configuration information for all devices from system setup, memory, and various internal tests, and it displays the information in the device list in the left pane of the screen. The device list may not display the names of all the components installed on your computer or all devices attached to your computer. Allows you to customize the test by changing the test settings. 4 When the tests are complete, close the test screen to return to the Main Menu screen. To exit the Dell Diagnostics and restart the computer, close the Main Menu screen. Drivers What Is a Driver? A driver is a program that controls a device such as a printer, mouse, or keyboard. All devices require a driver program. A driver acts like a translator between the device and any other programs that use the device. Each device has its own set of specialized commands that only its driver recognizes. Dell ships your computer to you with required drivers already installed-no further installation or configuration is needed. Many drivers, such as the keyboard driver, come with your Microsoft Windows operating system. You may need to install drivers if you: • Upgrade your operating system. • Reinstall your operating system. • Connect or install a new device. Identifying Drivers If you experience a problem with any device, identify whether the driver is the source of your problem and, if necessary, update the driver. Windows XP 1 Click the Start button and click Control Panel. 2 Under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance. 3 Click System. Solving Problems 49

Section	Page
Owner’s Manual	1
Contents	3
Finding Information	9
A Tour of Your Computer	13
Front View	13
Left Side View	16
Right Side View	18
Bottom View	20
Setting Up Your Computer	21
Connecting to the Internet	21
Setting Up Your Internet Connection	21
Setting Up a Printer	22
Printer Cable	22
Connecting a USB Printer	22
Power Protection Devices	23
Surge Protectors	23
Line Conditioners	24
Uninterruptible Power Supplies	24
Using a Battery	25
Battery Performance	25
Checking the Battery Charge	26
Microsoft Windows Power Meter	26
Low-Battery Warning	26
Charging the Battery	26
Removing a Battery	27
Installing a Battery	27
Storing a Battery	27
Installing Module Bay Devices	29
About the Module Bay	29
Removing and Installing Devices While the Computer Is Turned Off	29
Removing and Installing Devices While the Computer Is Running	30
Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia	31
Using CDs and DVDs	31
Copying CDs and DVDs	31
How to Copy a CD or DVD	31
Using Blank CD-Rs and CD-RWs	32
Helpful Tips	32
Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device	33
S-Video Connection	33
Enabling the Display Settings for a TV	34
Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad	35
Numeric Keypad	35
Key Combinations	36
System Functions	36
Display Functions	36
Radios (Including Wireless Networking)	36
Power Management	36
Speaker Functions	36
Microsoft® Windows® Logo Key Functions	37
Touch Pad	37
Customizing the Touch Pad	38
Using PC Cards	39
PC Card Types	39
PC Card Blanks	39
Extended PC Cards	39
Removing a PC Card or Blank	39
Installing a PC Card	41
Setting Up a Home and Office Network	43
Connecting to a Network Adapter	43
Network Setup Wizard	44
Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network	44
Determining Your Network Type	44
Connecting to a Wireless Network in Microsoft® Windows® XP	45
Solving Problems	47
Dell Diagnostics	47
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics	47
Starting the Dell Diagnostics	47
Drivers	49
What Is a Driver?	49
Identifying Drivers	49
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities	50
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities	51
Restoring Your Operating System	51
Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore	51
Using Dell PC Restore by Symantec	52
Drive Problems	54
CD and DVD drive problems	55
If you cannot eject the CD, CD-RW, DVD, or DVD+RW drive tray	55
If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound	56
Hard drive problems	56
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems	56
Error Messages	58
IEEE 1394 Device Problems	59
Keyboard Problems	59
External Keyboard Problems	60
Unexpected Characters	60
Lockups and Software Problems	60
The computer does not start up	61
The computer stops responding	61
A program stops responding	61
A program crashes repeatedly	61
A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system	61
A solid blue screen appears	62
Other software problems	62
Memory Problems	63
Network Problems	63
PC Card Problems	64
Power Problems	64
Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer	65
Printer Problems	65
Scanner Problems	66
Sound and Speaker Problems	67
No sound from integrated speakers	67
No sound from external speakers	67
No sound from headphones	68
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems	68
Video and Display Problems	69
If the display is blank	69
If the display is difficult to read	69
If only part of the display is readable	70
Adding and Replacing Parts	71
Before You Begin	71
Recommended Tools	71
Turning Off Your Computer	71
Before Working Inside Your Computer	72
Memory	73
Modem	75
Mini PCI Card	76
Appendix	81
Specifications	81
Using the System Setup Program	86
Overview	86
Viewing the System Setup Screens	87
System Setup Screens	87
Commonly Used Options	87
Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)	88
Definition of \	89
Definition of \	89
Contacting Dell	89
Macrovision Product Notice	107
FCC Notices (U.S. Only)	107
Class A	107
Class B	107
FCC Identification Information	108