Dell Latitude XPi Reference Guide - Page 41
Troubleshooting Your Computer, Backing Up Your Files, Basic Checks
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Chapter 3 Troubleshooting Your Computer If your Dell computer is not working as expected, this chapter provides both initial checks for solving basic computer problems and detailed troubleshooting procedures. It lists system messages and beep codes, their possible causes, and actions you can take to resolve any problems indicated by a message or code. This chapter also offers some general guidelines for analyzing software problems. NOTE: When you see the question "Is the problem resolved?" in a troubleshooting procedure, repeat the operation that caused the problem to see if the problem still occurs. Backing Up Your Files You can lose data when a computer failure occurs. If your computer is behaving erratically, back up your files immediately. See your operating system documentation for instructions on backing up files. Basic Checks The following procedure leads you through the checks necessary to solve some basic computer problems: 1. Is your computer wet or damaged? Yes. Go to "Troubleshooting a Wet Computer" or "Troubleshooting a Damaged Computer" found later in this chapter. No. Continue to step 2. 2. Perform the steps in the next subsection, "Checking Connections." Is the problem resolved? Yes. A connection to your computer was loose. You have fixed the problem. No. Continue to step 3. 3. Perform the steps in "Look and Listen" found later in this chapter. Did your computer complete the start-up (boot) routine? NOTE: The boot routine is the operating system's attempt to load its files into memory from the bootup sector on the hard-disk drive or bootable diskette. Yes. Continue to step 4. No. Call Dell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, "Getting Help," for instructions.) 4. Did you receive a system message or beep code? A single beep always sounds during the boot routine when the built-in sound ports or attached external speakers are tested, unless the SPEAKER VOLUME option in the System Setup program is set to OFF. Any system beep codes sound at high volume, even if the SPEAKER VOLUME option is set to OFF. Yes. Go to "Messages and Codes" found later in this chapter. No. Continue to step 5. 5. Verify, and correct if necessary, the system setup settings as explained in Chapter 2, "Customizing System Features." Is the problem resolved? Yes. The system configuration information was incorrect. You have fixed the problem. No. Continue to step 6. 6. Run the Dell diagnostics. (See Chapter 4, "Running the Dell Diagnostics.") Troubleshooting Your Computer 3-1