Dell 4000 User Manual

Dell™ Inspiron™ 4000 System

SOLUTIONS GUIDE

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Hints, Notices, and Cautions

HINT: A HINT indicates important information that helps you make better

use of your computer.

NOTICE: A NOTICE ind icates either potential damage to hardware or loss of

data and tells you how to avoid the problem.

CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation

which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

For a complete listing of abbreviations and acronyms, see the Glossary in the Tell Me How help file (see the Start Here sheet for instructions on how to open the help file).

____________________

Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written pe rmission of Dell Computer Corporation is strictly forbidden.

Dell

, the

Trademarks used in this text:

TravelLite Pentium

and Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities

claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Computer Corporatio n discla im s any proprietary interest in trad em arks and trade names other than its own.

August 2000 P/N 77JUC Rev. A00

Inspiron

, and

are registered trademarks and

Windows

and are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

DellWare

DELL E COM

are trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation;

Celeron

logo,

Dellnet

, the

Dellnet

logo,

is a trademark of Intel Corporation;

Dell

Intel

and

Microsoft

Setting Up

Safety Instructions

When Using Your Computer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

When Removing or Installing Memory Modules Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge

™

Setting Up Dellnet

Accessing the Internet Accessing Your E-Mail Viewing Your Account Information Sending and Receiving E-Ma il Resetting E-Mail Address Settings

Connecting a Printer

Installing the Printer Driver Parallel Printer USB Printer

Turning Off the Computer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Windows Millennium Edition (Me) and Windows 2000 Windows 98

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

. . . . . . . . . 10

. . . . . . . . . . . 11

. . . . . 18

Using the Modular Bay

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Swapping Devices While the Computer Is Turned Off Swapping Devices Wh ile Windows Is Running

Setting Up the APR to Connect to a Network

Setting Up the APR for Windows Me and Window s 98 Setting Up the APR for Windows 2000

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

. . . . . . 19

. . . . . . . . . . 21

. . . . . . . . . . . 22

. . . . . 22

Contents 3

Solving Problems

Finding Solutions Accessing Help Files Power Problems Start-Up Error Messages Video and Display Problems

If the display is blank

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

If the display is difficult to read

Sound and Speaker Problems

Integrated Speakers External Speakers

Printer Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

If you cannot print to a parallel port printer If you cannot print to a USB printer

Modem Proble ms Scanner Problems Touch Pad Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

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4 Contents

External Keyboard Problems Unexpected Characters Drive Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

If you cannot save a file to a floppy disk If you cannot play a music CD

or install a program from a CD If you cannot play a DVD movie If the CD-RW drive stops writing If you have a hard drive problem

Network Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

. . . . . . . . . . . . 36

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Windows Error Messages

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

General Program Problems

A program crashes A program stops responding A solid blue screen appears

Internet Connection Problems

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

If you have a problem with your Dellnet account

E-Mail Problems If Your Computer Gets Wet If You Drop or Damage Your Computer Resolving Other Technical Problems Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities Reinstalling Windows

Reinstalling Windows Me and Windows 98 Reinstalling Windows 2000

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

. . . . . . . . . . . 45

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Recreating the Hibernate File (Windows 98 Only)

Boot (Restart) Your Computer With the Drivers and Utilities CD

Delete the Old Hibernate File Create the Hibernate File

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

. . . . . . . . . 41

. . . . . . . . . 48

Adding Parts

Replacing the Palm Rests Replacing the Display Cover Using the Advanced Port Replicator

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Connecting External Devi ces to the APR APR Controls and Indicators Docking the Computer

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

. . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Contents 5

Undocking the Computer Monitor Stand

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Appendix

Adding Memory Replacing a Hard Drive

Returning a Hard Drive to Dell

Specifications Standard Settings

System Setup Pages

Contacting Dell

Contact Numbers and Addresses

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit

Regulatory Information

Battery Disposal NOM Information (Mexico Only)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Información para NOM (únicamente para México)

Warranty and Return Policy Information

. . . . . . . . . 88

. . . . . . . 90

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Index

6 Contents

Macrovision Product Notice

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Safety Instructions

Use the following safety guidelines to help protect yourself and your computer. For comfort and efficiency, observe the ergonomic guidelines in "Sitting Comfortably at Your Computer" in the Tell Me How help file.

When Using Your Computer

CAUTION: Do not operate your portable computer for an extended

period of time w ith the b ase rest ing direct ly on your body. With extended operation, heat can potentially build up in the base. Allowing sustained contact with the skin cou ld cause d iscomfort or, eventually, a burn.

• Do not attempt to service the computer yourself. Always follow

installation instructions closely.

• Do not carry a battery in your pocket, purse, or other container where

metal objects (such as car keys) could short-circuit the battery terminals. The resulting excessive current flow can cause extremely high temperatures and may result in damage from burns.

• Be sure that nothing rests on your AC adapter’s power cable and that

the cable is not located where it can be tripped over or stepped on.

• Place the AC adapter in a ventilated area, such as a desk top or on the

floor, when you use it to run the computer or to charge the battery. Do not cover the AC adapter with papers or other items that will reduce cooling; also, do not use the AC adapter while it is inside a carrying case.

• Do not use your computer in a wet environment, for example, near a

bath tub, sink, or swimming pool or in a wet basement.

• Do not push objects into air vents or openings of your computer.

Doing so can cause fire or electric shock by shorting out interior components.

• Use only the AC adapter and batteries that are approved for use with

this computer as indicated in this document. Use of another type of battery or AC adapter may risk fire or explosion.

Safety Instructions 7

• Before you connect the computer to a power source, ensure that the

voltage rating of the AC adapter matches that of the available power source:

– 115 V/60 Hz in most of North and South America and some Far

Eastern countries such as South Korea and Ta iwan – 100 V/50 Hz in eastern Japan and 100 V/60 Hz in western Japan – 230 V/50 Hz in most of Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East

• To help prevent electric shock, plug the AC adapter and external

device power cables into properly grounded power sources. These cables are equipped with 3-prong plugs to help ensure proper

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grounding. Do not use adapter plugs or remove the grounding prong from a cable. If you must use an extension cable, use a 3-wire cable with properly grounded plugs.

• If you use an extension cable with your AC adapter, ensure that the

total ampere rating of the products plugged in to the extension cable does not exceed the ampere rating of the extension cable.

• To remove power from the computer, turn it off, remove the battery,

and disconnect the AC adapter from the el ectrical outlet.

• If your computer includes an integrated or optional (PC Card)

modem, disconnect the modem cable during an electrical storm to avoid the remote risk of electric shock from lightning via the telephone line.

8 Safety Instructions

• To help avoid the potential hazard of electric shock, do not connect or

disconnect any cables or perform maintenance or reconfiguration of this product during an electrical storm.

• PC Cards may become very warm during normal operation. Use care

when removing PC Cards after their continuous operation.

• Do not dispose of batteries in a fire. They may explode. Check with

local authorities for disposal instruc tions.

• When setting up the computer for work, place it on a level surface.

• When traveling, do not check the computer as baggage. You can put

your computer through an X-ray security machine, but never put your computer through a metal detector. If you have the computer checked by hand, be sure to have a charged battery available in case you are asked to turn on the computer.

• When traveling with the hard drive removed from the computer, wrap

the drive in a nonconducting material, such as cloth or paper. If you have the drive checked by hand, be ready to install the drive in the computer. You can put the hard drive through an X-ray security machine, but never put the drive through a metal detector.

• When traveling, do not place the computer in overhead storage

compartments where it could slide around. Do not drop your computer or subject it to other mechanical shocks.

• Protect your computer, battery, and hard drive from environmental

hazards such as dirt, dust, food, liquids, temperature extremes, and overexposure to sunlight.

• When you move your computer between environments with very

different temperature and/or humidity ranges, condensation may form on or within the computer. To avoid damaging the computer, allow sufficient time for the moisture to evaporate before using the computer.

NOTICE: When taking the computer from low-temperature conditions into a

warmer environment or fro m high-temperature conditions into a cooler environment, allow the computer to acclimate to room temperature before turning on power.

• When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector or on its strain-

relief loop, not on the cable itself. As you pull out the connector, keep it evenly aligned to avoid bending any connector pins. Also, before you connect a cable make sure both connectors are correctly oriented and aligned.

• Handle components with care. Hold a component such as a memory

module by its edges, not its pins.

• When removing a memory module from the system board or

disconnecting an external device from the computer, wait 5 seconds after turning off the computer before removing the memory module or disconnecting the device to help avoid possible damage to the system board.

• Before you clean your computer, turn it off, unplug it from its power

source, and remove the battery.

• Clean your computer with a soft cloth dampened with water rather

than with liquid or aerosol cleaners.

Safety Instructions 9

• Clean the display with a soft, clean cloth and commercial window

cleaner that does not contain wax or abrasives. Apply the cleaner to the cloth; then stroke the cloth across the display in one direction, moving from the top of the display to the bottom. If the display contains grease or some other contaminant, use isopropyl alcohol instead of commercial window cleaner.

• If your computer gets wet, see page 42 for instructions. If you drop or

damage the computer, see page 43. If, after following these procedures, you confirm that your computer is not operating properly, contact Dell (see page 75).

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When Removing or Installing Memory Modules

Before you remove or install memory modules, perform the following steps in the sequence indicated.

NOTICE: The only time you should ever access the inside of your computer is

when you are installing memory modules.

NOTICE: Wait 5 seconds after turning off the computer before disconnecting

an external devic e or removing a memory module to help prevent possible damage to the system board.

Turn off your computer and all attached devices. Disconnect your computer and external devices from their electrical

outlets to reduce the potential for personal injury or shock. Also, disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.

Remove the battery from the battery bay and, if present, the secondary

battery from the mo d ul ar ba y. Ground yourself by touching an unpainted metal surface at the back of

the computer before touching anything inside your computer. While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface on the

computer to dissipate any static electricity that might harm internal components.

10 Safety Instructions

In addition, take note of these safety gu idelines when appropriate:

• When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector, not on the cable

itself. As you pull connectors apart, keep them evenly aligned to avoid bending any pins. Also, before you connect a cable, make sure that both connectors are correctly oriented and aligned.

• Handle memory modules with care. Don’t touch the components on a

module. Hold a module by its edges.

CAUTION: There is a danger of a new battery exploding if it is

incorrectly installed. Replace the batter y only with the same or equivalent type recomme nded by the manufacture r. Discard used batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge

To prevent static damage, d ischarge static electr icity from your body before you touch anything inside your computer and periodically while you work inside the computer. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal surface on the back of the computer.

You can also take the following steps to prevent static damage:

• Do not remove items from their antistati c packing material unti l y o u

are ready to install them in your computer. Just before unwrapping the antistatic packaging, be sure to discharge static electricity from your body.

• When transporting a sensitive component, first place it in an antistatic

container or packaging.

Safety Instructions 11

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12 Safety Instructions

SECTION 1

Setting Up

Setting Up Dellnet™ Connecting a Printer Turning Off the Comput er Using the Modular Bay Setting Up the APR to Connect to a Network

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HINT: Dellnet is not

available in certain regions.

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Setting Up Dellnet

™

To set up Dellnet Internet Access Service, double-click the Dellnet Signup

icon on the Microsoft

Windows® desktop and follow the instructions that

appear on the screen.

Accessing the Internet

To access the Internet after completing the Dellnet registration process, double-click the Internet Explorer icon on your Windows desktop. Internet Explorer automatically initiates the Internet connection through Dellnet.

Accessi ng Your E-Mail

To access your Dellnet e-mail, double-click the Outlook Express icon on your Windows desktop. Click Send/Receive to download your messages from the mail server. When you download your messages, they are stored on your hard drive until you delete them.

Viewing Your Account Information

HINT: Del lnet all ows you

to use case-sensitive passwords. Be sure that <Caps Lock> is not turned on.

14 Setting Up

If you did not record your Dellnet user name or password, access the Dellnet Administration tool to verify or change this information:

Click the Start button, point to Programs—>Dellnet, and then click

Dellnet Administration. Click Next twice.

Click Connect to connect to Dellnet.

When the Dellnet Self-Administration page appears, click View My

Account Information. Click Next.

Type your Challenge Phrase answer.

Click Next.

Your account information appears on the screen. Click Print to print the information or click Main Menu to go to the

main menu.

Sending and Receiving E-Mail

• Double-click the Outlook Express icon to initiate a connection to the

Internet through Dellnet.

• Always check the address of each recipient when sending e-mail.

Otherwise, your e-mail is returned to you.

• Be sure that the person who is sending e-mail to you is typing your

e-mail address correctly.

• Do not send e-mail messages larger than 2 MB.

• If you are having difficulties sending e-mail, determine whether the

problem involves just one recipient or all recipients. Then contact the Dellnet technical support staff (see page 75).

Resetting E-Mail Address Settings

If your e-mail software gets corrupted, reset your account:

Click the Start button, point to Programs—>Dellnet, and then click

Dellnet Administration. Click Next twice.

Click Connect to connect to Dellnet.

When the Dellnet Self-Administration page appears, click Make My

Changes Take Effect. Click Next.

Type your Challenge Phrase answer.

Click Next.

Click Click To Make Changes Take Effect.

Click OK.

Setting Up 15

Connecting a Printer

See the documentation that came with the printer fo r an y recommended preparation procedures, such as:

• Removing the packaging

• Installing the toner or ink cartridge

• Loading paper

Then follow the instructions that came with the printer to connect it to the computer. If no information is provided, see the following sections.

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HINT: For complete

printer driver installation instructions, refer to your printer documentation.

Installing the Printer Driver

Dell installs drivers for some new printers. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Printers. If your printer is listed in the Printers

window, the printer is ready to use. If you need to install a printer driver, insert the installation CD into the CD

or DVD d riv e. The n fol low t he pr ompts on the scr een usi ng th e ins truct ion s that came with the printer.

If your printer installat ion CD does not automatically run, click the Start button on the Windows de skt o p, c lic k Run, and type x:\setup.exe (where x is the letter of your CD or DVD drive [usually drive D]). Then click OK and follow the prompts on your screen.

Parallel Printer

Turn off the computer (see page 18).

NOTICE: Use only a standard IEEE parallel cable measuring 3 m (10 ft) or

less to connect the printer to the computer. Use of a nonstandard cable may prevent the printer from working.

16 Setting Up

Attach the parallel printer cable to the parallel por t c onnector on the

computer and tighten the two screws. Attach the cable to the parallel connector on the printer and sna p the two clips into the two not c hes.

screws (2)

parallel printer cable

Turn on the printer and then turn on the comput er. If the Add New

parallel port connector on computer

printer cable connector

notches (2)

Hardware Wizard window appears, click Cancel. Install the printer driver if necessary (see page 16).

clips (2)

Setting Up 17

USB Printer

HINT: Yo u can connect

USB devices while the computer is turned on.

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Install the printer driver if necessary (see page 16).

Attach the USB printer cable to the USB port connector on the

computer and the printer. The USB connectors fit only one way.

USB port connector on computer

USB port connector

on printer USB printer cable

18 Setting Up

Turning Off the Comp uter

NOTICE: To prevent data loss, you must perform th e Windows shutdown

procedure to turn off your co mputer.

Windows Millennium Edition (Me) and Windows 2000

Save and close any open files and exit any open programs.

Click the Start button and then click Shut Down.

Click the pull-down menu under What do you want the computer to

do?. Click Shut down and then click OK.

The computer automati c ally turns off after the shutdown process finishes.

Windows 98

Save and close any open files and exit any open programs.

Click the Start button and then click Shut Down.

In the Shut Down Windows window, click Shut down and then click

OK. The computer automati c ally turns off after the shutdown process

finishes.

Using the Modular Bay

Dell ships your computer with a CD drive (or an optional DVD drive) installed in the modular bay. The modular bay also supports the following devices:

• CD drive

• CD-RW drive

• DVD drive

• Zip drive

• Floppy drive

• SuperDisk LS-120 drive

• Second battery

• Dell TravelLite™ mod ule

NOTICE: To prevent irreparable damage to the docking connector, do not

remove or replace devices while the computer is connected to an advanced port replicator (APR).

Swapping Devices While the Computer Is Turned Off

Save and close any open files, exit any open programs, and shut down

the computer (see page 18). If the computer is connected (docked) to an APR, undock it (see

page 59). Close the display and turn the computer over.

Setting Up 19

Slide and hold the latch release, and pull the device out of the modular

bott

bay.

NOTICE: To prevent damage, place devices in a travel case when they are not

inserted in the computer. Store devices in a dry, safe place, and avoid placing heavy objects on top of them.

om of computer

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20 Setting Up

devicelatch release

NOTICE: Insert devices before you dock and turn on the computer.

Insert the new device into the bay, and push it until you hear a click.

Turn on the computer.

Swapping Devices While Windows Is Running

NOTICE: To prevent irreparable damage to the docking connector, do not

replace devices while the computer is connected to an APR.

In Microsoft Windows 98 or Windows Me

Right-click the Softex BayManager icon on the Microsoft Windows

taskbar. Click Remove/Swap.

Keep the display open, and tilt the computer back so that you can

access the bottom of the computer. Slide and hold the latch release, and pull the device out of the modular

bay. Insert the new device into the bay, and push it until you hear a click.

Click OK. Then, click OK again to close the Softex BayManager

window.

In Microsoft Windows 2000

Double-click the Unplug or Eject Hardware icon on the Microsoft

Windows taskbar. Click the device you want to eject and then click Stop.

Click OK and wait until the device you want to eject is cleared from

the list of devices in the Unplug or Eject Hardware window. Keep the display open, and tilt the computer back so that you can

access the bottom of the computer. Slide and hold the latch release, and pull the device out of the modular

bay. Insert the new device into the bay, and push it until you hear a click.

When Windows recognizes the new device, click Close.

Setting Up 21

Setting Up the APR to Connect to a Network

HINT: A network adapter

is also referred to as a network interface controller (NIC).

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NOTICE: Do not install a NIC or a NIC/modem combination PC Card until

you complete the advanced port re plicator (APR) setup.

If you purchased the APR with an integrated network adapter, you must first configure the computer to use the APR with a network.

Setting Up the APR for Windows Me and Windows 98

If the computer is on, shut down the operating system and turn off the

computer (see page 18). Disconnect all external devices from the APR.

Connect the AC adapter to the APR and an electrical outlet.

Insert the computer into the APR.

Turn on the computer.

The computer automatically detects the network ad apter and begins the software installatio n.

At the Add New Hardware Wizard window, click Automatic search for

a better driver (Recommended) and then click Next. Click Finish when Windows displays a message that the driver is

installed. Click Yes to restart the computer.

22 Setting Up

After the computer restarts, Windows modifies settings, creates a Dock 1 configuration, and then displays a

Setup is complete

message. Click OK.

Updated display settings

If the

If necessary, consult your network administrator for instructions on

message appears, click OK.

configuring the network adapter settings.

Setting Up the APR for Windows 2000

NOTICE: Do not install the drivers from the CD that is shipped with the APR.

The network adapter will not work if they are installed.

If the computer is on, shut down the operating system and turn off the

computer (see page 18). Disconnect all external devices from the APR.

Insert the computer into the APR.

Attach the network cable and the AC adapter to the APR.

Turn on the computer.

Log on as a user with administrative privileges.

Make sure that 3Com PCI Ethernet Adapter (10/100) appears in the

Found New Hardware window. Windows 2000 automatically installs the network adapter drivers.

Setting Up 23

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24 Setting Up

SECTION 2

Solving Problems

Finding Solutions Accessing Help Files Power Problems Start-Up Error Messages Video and Display Problems Sound and Speaker Problems Printer Problems Modem Problems Scanner Problems Touch Pad Problems External Keyboard Problems Unexpect ed C ha racters Drive Problems Network Problems Windows Error Messages General Program Problems Internet Connection Problems E-Mail Problems If Your Computer Gets Wet If You Drop or Damage Your Computer Resolving Other Technical Problems Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities Reinstalling Windows Recreating the Hibernate File (Windows 98 Only)

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HINT: If you have a

problem with an external device, see the device documentation or contact the manufacturer.

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Finding Solutions

Sometimes it’s difficult to figure out where to go for answers. Use this chart to quickly find the answers to your questions .

See page 29.

Press the power button to resume from standby mode.

T ell Me How

See the (see page 28) for more information on standby mod e.

Get technical assistance from Dell. See page 75.

See page 30.

help file

26 Solving Problems

See page 30.

See page 32.

See page 33.

See page 34.

See page 35.

See page 36.

See page 39.

See page 44.

See page 40.

See page 41.

See page 42.

Solving Problems 27

Accessing Help Files

ACCESS THE

Click the

ACCESS WINDOWS

Click the

Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and then click

Click the topic that describes your problem and then click

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Follow the instruc tions shown on the screen.

ACCESS WINDOWS ME HELP

Click the

Type a word or phrase that describes your problem in the

Tell Me Ho w

button, po int t o

Start

2000 H

button and then click

Start

tab.

button and then click

Start

HELP FILE

Dell Documents

ELP

Help

, and then click

Display

Tell Me How

List Topics

box and then

click Go. Click the topic that describes your problem and then click

Follow the instruc tions shown on the screen.

ACCESS WINDOWS

Click the

Type a word or phrase that describes your problem and then click

In the

then click Follow the instruc tions shown on the screen.

Start

Topics Found

Display

98 SE H

button and then click

ELP

Help

window, click the topic that describes your problem and

Display

28 Solving Problems

Power Problems

HECK THE POWER LIGHT

When the pow er light is bl inkin g, the compu ter

—

has power. If the power light is blinking, the computer is in standby mode—press the power button to resume from standby mode. If the power light is off, press the power button.

HECK THE BATTERY

If you are using a battery to power your computer, the

—

battery charge may be depleted. Connect the computer to an elec trical outlet using the AC adapter, and turn on the computer.

EST THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET

Ensure th at the el ectric al outl et is wor king

—

by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.

HECK THE

ADAPTER

Be sure that the power cable is firmly inserted

—

into the electrical outlet and the green light on the AC adapter is on.

ONNECT THE COMPUTER DIRECTLY TO AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET

—

Bypass power protection devices, power strips, and the extension cable to verify that the computer turns on.

HECK FOR INTERFERENCE

Electrical applia nces on the same circuit o r

—

operating near the computer can cause interference. Other causes of interference: power extension cables, too many devices on a power strip, or multiple power strips connected to the same electrical outlet.

HINT: See the

help file for

How

Tell Me

information on standby mode.

DJUST THE POWER PROPERTIES

for the keyword

ESEAT THE MEMORY MODULES

standby

Windows Help.

See the

—

Tell Me How

To access help files, see page 28.

If your computer power light turns on

—

help file or search

but the display remains blank, you may need to reseat the memory modules (see page 61).

Solving Problems 29

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