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Dell XPS M2010 Owner's Manual - Page 119

Reinstalling Software, Drivers, What Is a Driver?, Identifying Drivers - drivers windows 7

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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 disc 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. 1 Click the Start button and click Control Panel. 2 Under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance. 3 Click System. 4 In the System Properties window, click the Hardware tab. 5 Click Device Manager. 6 Scroll down the list to see if any device has an exclamation point (a yellow circle with a [!]) on the device icon. If an exclamation point is next to the device name, you may need to reinstall the driver or install a new driver. See "Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities" on page 120. Reinstalling Software 119

Section	Page
Contents	3
Finding Information	11
About Your Computer	15
Front View	15
Left View	19
Right View	20
Back View	22
Bottom View	24
Using the Keyboard and Mouse	27
Pairing the Keyboard	27
Keyboard Pairing Failed	28
Pairing the Mouse	29
Mouse Pairing With the Wizard	29
Mouse Pairing Failed	30
Numeric Keypad	31
Key Combinations	31
System Functions	31
Battery	32
Display Functions	32
Wireless Networking Technology Function	32
Display Switch	32
Power Management	32
Microsoft Windows Logo Key Functions	32
Touch Pad	33
Customizing the Touch Pad and Mouse	34
Keyboard Battery	34
Dell QuickSet Battery Meter	34
Replacing the Keyboard Battery	35
Using Multimedia	37
Playing Media	37
Adjusting the Volume	39
Adjusting the Picture	40
Copying CD, DVD, and BD Media	40
How to Copy a CD, DVD, or BD	40
Using Blank CD, DVD, and BD Media	41
Helpful Tips	42
Using Dell Media Experience and Dell MediaDirect	42
If the computer is turned on or in standby mode	43
If the computer is turned off or in hibernate mode	43
Dell MediaDirect and Dell Media Experience Help	43
Using Your Computer With a TV or Audio Device	44
Connecting a Composite Video Adapter	44
Connecting a Component Video Adapter	45
Connecting Audio/IR Blaster Adapter	45
Enabling S/PDIF Digital Audio in Cyberlink PowerDVD	47
Enabling S/PDIF Digital Audio in the Windows Audio Driver	47
Setting Up the Cyberlink (CL) Headphones	47
Enabling the Display Settings for a TV	48
Using the Display	49
Opening the Display Panel	49
Closing the Display Panel	49
Adjusting the Display Panel	50
Adjusting Brightness	50
Switching the Video Image	50
Setting Display Resolution and Refresh Rate	51
Dual Independent Display Mode	51
Swapping Primary and Secondary Displays	52
Using the Camera	52
Setting Up the Camera	53
Accessing Help	53
Taking a Picture or Recording a Video	53
Using a Battery	55
Replacing the Battery	55
Inserting the Battery	55
Removing the Battery	57
Battery Performance	58
Checking the Battery Charge	59
Dell QuickSet Battery Meter	59
Microsoft Windows Power Meter	60
Charge Gauge	60
Low-Battery Warning	60
Charging the Battery	61
Conserving Battery Power	61
Storing a Battery	61
Power Management Modes	61
Standby Mode	62
Hibernate Mode	62
Configuring Power Management Settings	63
Setting Up Your Computer	65
Connecting to the Internet	65
Setting Up Your Internet Connection	65
Transferring Information to a New Computer	66
Using the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard With the Operating System Installation Media	66
Using the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Without the Operating System Installation Media	67
Setting Up a Printer	69
Printer Cable	69
Connecting a USB Printer	69
Power Protection Devices	70
Surge Protectors	70
Line Conditioners	71
Uninterruptible Power Supplies	71
Using Networks (LAN or Wireless)	73
Physically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem	73
Network Setup Wizard	73
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)	74
What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection	74
Checking Your Wireless Network Card	74
Setting Up a New WLAN	75
Connecting to a WLAN	76
Determining the Wireless Network Device Manager	76
Completing the Connection to the WLAN	77
Enabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card	77
Monitoring the Status of the Wireless Network Card Through Dell QuickSet	78
Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN)	78
What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection	78
Checking Your Dell Mobile Broadband Card	78
Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network	79
Windows Firewall	79
Using Cards	81
Supported Cards	81
Media Memory Card Reader	81
Compact Flash Card Reader	81
ExpressCard Reader	82
Extended Cards	82
Installing a Media Memory Card or ExpressCard	82
Removing a Card	83
Securing Your Computer	85
Security Cable Lock	85
Passwords	85
Computer Tracking Software	86
If Your Computer is Lost or Stolen	86
Troubleshooting	87
Dell Technical Update Service	87
Dell Diagnostics	87
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics	87
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive	87
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities Media	88
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu	89
Dell Support Utility	90
Accessing the Dell Support Utility	90
Clicking the Dell Support Icon	91
Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon	91
Drive Problems	91
DVD drive problems	91
If you hear an unfamiliar scraping or grinding sound	92
Hard drive problems	92
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems	93
Error Messages	94
IEEE 1394 Device Problems	97
Keyboard Problems	97
Keyboard problems	98
Unexpected characters	98
Lockups and Software Problems	98
The computer does not start up	98
The computer stops responding	98
A program stops responding	98
A program crashes repeatedly	98
A program is designed for an earlier Microsoft Windows operating system	99
A solid blue screen appears	99
Dell MediaDirect problems	99
Other software problems	100
Memory Problems	100
Network Problems	101
General	101
Mobile Broadband Network	101
Media Memory Card or ExpressCard Problems	102
Power Problems	102
Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer	103
Printer Problems	103
Scanner Problems	104
Sound and Speaker Problems	104
No sound from integrated speakers	105
No sound from external speakers	105
No sound from headphones	105
Mouse Problems	105
Video and Display Problems	106
If the display is blank	106
If the display is difficult to read	107
If only part of the display is readable	107
System Setup Program	109
Overview	109
Viewing the System Setup Screens	109
System Setup Screens	110
Commonly Used Settings	110
Changing the Boot Sequence	110
About Your RAID Configuration	111
RAID Level 0 Configuration	111
RAID Level 1 Configuration	112
Configuring Your Computer for RAID	113
Configuring for RAID Using the Intel RAID Option ROM Utility	113
Configuring for RAID Using the Intel Matrix Storage Manager	115
Traveling With Your Computer	117
Identifying Your Computer	117
Packing the Computer	117
Travel Tips	118
Traveling by Air	118
Reinstalling Software	119
Drivers	119
What Is a Driver?	119
Identifying Drivers	119
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities	120
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities	122
Restoring Your Operating System	122
Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore	122
Using the Operating System Installation Media	124
Adding and Replacing Parts	127
Before You Begin	127
Recommended Tools	127
Turning Off Your Computer	127
Before Working Inside Your Computer	127
Memory	129
Mini Card	132
WLAN Cards	132
Coin-Cell Battery	134
Dell QuickSet	135
Specifications	137
Obtaining Assistance	145
Online Services	145
AutoTech Service	146
Automated Order-Status Service	146
Support Service	146
Problems With Your Order	147
Product Information	147
Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit	147
Before You Call	148
Contacting Dell	150
Appendix	175
Caution Regarding Safety and Bluetooth devices	175
Cleaning Your Computer	175
Computer, Keyboard, and Display	176
Touch Pad	176
CD, DVD, and BD Media	176
Macrovision Product Notice	176
FCC Notice (U.S. Only)	177
FCC Class B	177
Glossary	179