Home » Dell Manuals » Laptops » Dell Latitude D531 » Manual Viewer

Dell Latitude D531 User's Guide - Page 103

Reinstalling Software, Drivers, What Is a Driver?, Identifying Drivers - drivers xp

Add to My Manuals
Save this manual to your list of manuals

Page 103 highlights

14 Reinstalling Software 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. NOTICE: The Drivers and Utilities media may contain drivers for operating systems that are not on your computer. Ensure that you are installing software appropriate for your operating system. 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 Start→ Control Panel. 2 Under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance→ System. 3 In the System Properties window, click the Hardware→ Device Manager. Windows Vista® 1 Click the Windows Vista start button, 2 Click Properties→ Device Manager , and right-click Computer. Reinstalling Software 103

Section	Page
Dell™ Latitude™ D531	1
Contents	3
Finding Information	11
About Your Computer	15
Front View	15
Left Side View	18
Right Side View	20
Back View	20
Bottom View	23
Transferring Information to a New Computer	25
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard	25
Using a Battery	29
Battery Performance	29
Checking the Battery Charge	30
Dell™ QuickSet Battery Meter	30
Microsoft® Windows® Power Meter	30
Charge Gauge	30
Low-Battery Warning	31
Conserving Battery Power	31
Power Management Modes	32
Standby Mode	32
Hibernate Mode	32
Configuring Power Management Settings	33
Charging the Battery	33
Replacing the Battery	33
Storing a Battery	34
Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad	35
Numeric Keypad	35
Key Combinations	35
System Functions	35
Battery	36
Wireless	36
Display Functions	36
Power Management	36
Speaker Functions	37
Microsoft® Windows® Logo Key Functions	37
Touch Pad	37
Customizing the Touch Pad	38
Using the Display	41
Display Properties	41
Adjusting Brightness	41
Switching the Video Image	41
Display Resolution and Refresh Rate	41
Using ATI Catalyst® Control Center	42
Launching Catalyst Control Center	43
Using an External Monitor or Projector	43
Using an External Monitor	44
Extending Your Computer Display	44
Changing Your Primary Display	45
Saving Battery Power	45
Using Multimedia	49
Playing CDs or DVDs	49
Copying CDs and DVDs	50
How to Copy a CD or DVD	51
Using Blank CDs and DVDs	51
Helpful Tips	52
Adjusting the Volume	53
Adjusting the Picture	53
If the Computer Is Turned Off or in Hibernate Mode	54
Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device	54
S-Video and Standard Audio	55
Setting Up the Cyberlink (CL) Headphones	56
Enabling the Display Settings for a TV	56
Setting Up and Using Networks	59
Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable	59
Setting Up a Network	60
Wireless Local Area Network	60
What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection	60
Checking Your Wireless Network Card	60
Using a Wireless Router and a Broadband Modem	61
Connecting to a WLAN	62
Mobile Broadband (WWAN)	64
Establishing a Mobile Broadband Network Connection	64
Checking Your Dell Mobile Broadband Card	64
Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network	65
Managing Your Network Settings	65
Microsoft® Windows® Firewall	65
Using Cards	67
Card Types	67
PC Cards	67
PC Card Blanks	67
Extended PC Cards	67
Installing a PC Card or an ExpressCard	67
Removing a PC Card or Blank	69
Securing Your Computer	71
Security Cable Lock	71
Passwords	71
Using a Primary/System Password	72
Using an Administrator Password	72
Using a Hard Drive Password	73
Trusted Platform Module (TPM)	74
Enabling the TPM Feature	74
Computer Tracking Software	74
If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen	75
Cleaning Your Computer	77
Computer, Keyboard, and Display	77
Touch Pad	77
Mouse	77
Cleaning a Non-Optical Mouse	77
Cleaning an Optical Mouse	78
Floppy Drive	78
CDs and DVDs	78
Troubleshooting	79
Dell Technical Update Service	79
Dell Diagnostics	79
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics	79
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive	79
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities Media	80
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu	80
Dell Support Utility	82
Accessing the Dell Support Utility	82
Clicking the Dell Support Icon	83
Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon	83
Drive Problems	83
CD and DVD drive problems	84
Hard drive problems	84
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems	85
Error Messages	86
IEEE 1394 Device Problems	89
Keyboard Problems	89
External keyboard problems	90
Unexpected characters	90
Lockups and Software Problems	90
The computer does not start up	91
The computer stops responding	91
A program stops responding or crashes repeatedly	91
A program uses an earlier operating system version	91
A solid blue screen appears	91
Other software problems	91
Memory Problems	92
Network Problems	92
PC Card or ExpressCard Problems	93
Power Problems	93
Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer	94
Docking Power Considerations	94
Printer Problems	95
Scanner Problems	95
Sound and Speaker Problems	96
No sound from integrated speakers	96
No sound from external speakers	96
No sound from headphones	96
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems	96
Video and Display Problems	97
If the display is blank	97
If the display is difficult to read	98
If only part of the display is readable	98
System Setup Program	99
Overview	99
Viewing the System Setup Screens	99
System Setup Screens	100
Commonly Used Options	100
Changing the Boot Sequence	100
Performing a One-Time Boot	101
Changing COM Ports	101
Reinstalling Software	103
Drivers	103
What Is a Driver?	103
Identifying Drivers	103
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities	104
Using the Hardware Troubleshooter Tool	105
Restoring Your Operating System	106
Using Microsoft Windows System Restore	106
Using the Operating System Media	107
Adding and Replacing Parts	111
Before You Begin	111
Recommended Tools	111
Turning Off Your Computer	111
Before Working Inside Your Computer	112
Hard Drive	113
Returning a Hard Drive to Dell	115
Hinge Cover	115
Memory	116
DIMM A Connector	117
DIMM B Connector	119
Mini-Card	121
Keyboard	124
Internal Card With Bluetooth® Wireless Technology	125
Coin-Cell Battery	126
About the Media Bay	127
About the Device Security Screw	127
Removing and Installing Media Bay Devices	128
Dell™ QuickSet	131
Traveling With Your Computer	133
Identifying Your Computer	133
Packing the Computer	133
Travel Tips	134
Traveling by Air	134
Getting Help	135
Obtaining Assistance	135
Technical Support and Customer Service	135
DellConnect	136
Online Services	136
AutoTech Service	137
Automated Order-Status Service	137
Problems With Your Order	137
Product Information	137
Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit	137
Before You Call	138
Contacting Dell	138
Specifications	141
Appendix	149
FCC Notice (U.S. Only)	149
FCC Class B	149