Troubleshooting
Before Working on Your Computer
Battery Slice
Hard Drive
Wireless Local Area Network
(WLAN) Card
Wireless Wide Area Network
(WWAN) Card
Memory
Latitude On™ Card
LED Dashboard Cover
Keyboard
Display Assembly
Camera
Palm Rest
Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) With Bluetooth®
Wireless Technology
Smart Card
System Fan
Optical Drive
Radio Switch Board
Coin-Cell Battery
Speaker Assembly
System Board
Flashing the BIOS
Processor Thermal-Cooling Assembly
DC-In Power Assembly
Finding Information
Getting Help
Notes, Notices, and Cautions
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer.
NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to
avoid the problem.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.
If you purchased a Dell™ n Series computer, any references in this document to Microsoft® Windows® operating systems are
not applicable.
This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by method claims of certain U.S. patents and other
intellectual property rights owned by Macrovision Corporation and other rights owners. Use of this copyright protection
technology must be authorized by Macrovision Corporation, and is intended for home and other limited viewing uses only
unless otherwise authorized by Macrovision Corporation.
Reproduction of this material in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.
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by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and is used by Dell under license; Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista, Outlook, and the Windows Vista start button logo are
either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
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Troubleshooting: Dell Latitude E4300 Service Manual
Power, keyboard, and mouse extension cables
Back to Contents Page
Troubleshooting
Dell™ Latitude™ E4300 Service Manual
ToolsDell DiagnosticsSolving ProblemsDell Technical Update ServiceDell Support Utility
CAUTION: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your
computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage on
www.dell.com at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
CAUTION: Always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover.
Tools
Power Lights
The power button light located on the front of the computer illuminates and blinks or remains solid to indicate different states:
If the power light is green and the computer is not responding, see Diagnostic Lights.
If the power light is blinking green, the computer is in standby mode. Press a key on the keyboard, move the mouse,
or press the power button to resume normal operation.
If the power light is off, the computer is either turned off or is not receiving power.
Reseat the power cable into both the power connector on the back of the computer and the electrical outlet.
If the computer is plugged into a power strip, ensure that the power strip is plugged into an electrical outlet and
that the power strip is turned on.
Bypass power protection devices, power strips, and power extension cables to verify that the computer turns on
properly.
Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.
Ensure that the main power cable and front panel cable are securely connected to the system board (see System
Board).
If the power light is blinking amber, the computer is receiving electrical power, but an internal power problem may
exist.
Ensure that the voltage selection switch is set to match the AC power at your location, if applicable.
Ensure that the processor power cable is securely connected to the system board (see System Board).
If the power light is steady amber, a device may be malfunctioning or incorrectly installed.
Remove and then reinstall the memory modules (see Memory).
Remove and then reinstall any smart cards.
Eliminate interference. Some possible causes of interference are:
Troubleshooting: Dell Latitude E4300 Service Manual
Too many devices on a power strip
Multiple power strips connected to the same electrical outlet
Diagnostic Lights
CAUTION: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your
computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage on
www.dell.com at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Your computer has three keyboard status lights located above the keyboard. During normal operation, the keyboard status
lights display the current status (on or off) of the Num Lock, Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock features. If the computer starts
without error, the lights flash, and then turn off. If the computer malfunctions, however, you can use the status of the lights
to help identify the problem.
NOTE: After the computer completes POST, the Num Lock light may remain on, depending on your BIOS settings. For
more information on using the system setup program, see the Dell™ Technology Guide on your computer or at
support.dell.com.
Diagnostic Light Codes During POST
To troubleshoot a problem with your computer, read the sequence of the keyboard status lights in order from left to right
(Num Lock, Caps Lock, and then Scroll Lock). If the computer malfunctions the individual lights display a status of either On
, Off , or Flashing .
Light
Pattern
Problem
Description
No memory
modules are
detected.
Memory
modules are
detected, but a
memory failure
has occurred.
Suggested Resolution
If two or more memory modules are installed, remove the modules (see Removing a
Memory Module), then reinstall one module (see Replacing a Memory Module) and
restart the computer. If the computer starts normally, continue to install additional
memory modules (one at a time) until you have identified a faulty module or
reinstalled all modules without error.
If available, install working memory of the same type into your computer (see
Memory
If the problem persists, contact Dell (see Contacting Dell).
If two or more memory modules are installed, remove the modules (see Removing a
Memory Module), then reinstall one module (see Replacing a Memory Module) and
restart the computer. If the computer starts normally, continue to install additional
memory modules (one at a time) until you have identified a faulty module or
reinstalled all modules without error.
If available, install working memory of the same type into your computer (see
Memory
If the problem persists, contact Dell (see Contacting Dell).
The processor is attached to the system board. Reseat the system board (see System
Board).
If the problem persists, contact Dell (see Contacting Dell).
Reseat the LCD cable (see Display Assembly).
If the problem persists, contact Dell (see Contacting Dell).
Reseat the keyboard (see Keyboard).
).
Troubleshooting: Dell Latitude E4300 Service Manual
keyboard
failure has
occurred.
If available, connect an external keyboard.
If the problem persists, contact Dell (see Contacting Dell).
System Messages
NOTE: If the message you received is not listed in the table, see the documentation for either the operating system or
the program that was running when the message appeared.
Decreasing available memory — See Lockups and Software Problems
Error 8602 —
Auxiliary device failure verify that mouse and keyboard are securely attached to correct connectors.
Flash part write protected error — Contact Dell (see Contacting Dell
Gate A20 failure — See Lockups and Software Problems
Invalid configuration information - please run setup program — Enter the system setup program and change system
setup options to correct the configuration error. For more information on using the system setup program, see the Dell
Technology Guide on your computer or at support.dell.com.
.
.
).
Keyboard failure —
Keyboard failure or keyboard cable loose (see Keyboard
Memory address line failure at (address), read value expecting (value) — See Lockups and Software Problems
Memory double word logic failure at (address), read value expecting (value) — See Lockups and Software Problems
Memory odd/even logic failure at (address) read value expecting (value) — See Lockups and Software Problems
Memory write/read failure at (address), read value expecting (value) — See Lockups and Software Problems
Memory size in cmos invalid — See Lockups and Software Problems
No boot device available – strike F1 to retry boot, F2 for setup utility. Press F5 to run onboard diagnostics — The
system cannot detect a bootable device or partition.
If the floppy drive is your boot device, ensure that the drive is installed properly and that a bootable floppy disk
is in the drive.
If the hard drive is your boot device, ensure that the drive is installed properly and partitioned as a boot device.
Enter the system setup program and ensure that the boot sequence information is correct. For information on
using the system setup program, see the Dell Technology Guide on your computer or at support.dell.com.
).
.
.
.
.
.
No boot sector on hard-disk drive — Enter the system setup program and ensure that the configuration information for
the hard drive is correct. For information on using the system setup program, see the Dell Technology Guide on your
computer or at support.dell.com.
No timer tick interrupt — Run the Dell Diagnostics (see Dell Diagnostics
Non-system disk or disk error — Replace the floppy disk with one that has a bootable operating system or remove the
Troubleshooting: Dell Latitude E4300 Service Manual
Not a boot diskette — Insert a bootable floppy disk and restart your computer.
Power warning messages have been disabled. run the setup utility to enable these messages. —
For information on using the system setup program, see the Dell Technology Guide on your computer or at
support.dell.com.
Read failure on internal hard drive — See Drive Problems
Read failure on second internal hard drive — See Drive Problems
RTC mode fixed – time and date may be wrong — Enter the system setup program and correct the date or time. For
information on using the system setup program, see the Dell Technology Guide on your computer or at support.dell.com. If
the problem persists, replace the CMOS battery.
Shutdown failure — Run the Dell Diagnostics (see Dell Diagnostics
Time-of-day clock stopped – please run the system setup program — Enter the system setup program and correct the
date or time. For information on using the system setup program, see the Dell Technology Guide on your computer or at
support.dell.com.If the problem persists, replace the CMOS battery.
Time-of-day not set – please run the system setup program — Enter the system setup program and correct the date or
time. For information on using the system setup program, see the Dell Technology Guide on your computer or at
support.dell.com. If the problem persists, replace the CMOS battery.
Timer chip counter 2 failed — Run the Dell Diagnostics (see Dell Diagnostics
The AC power adapter wattage and type cannot be determined. the battery may not charge. they system will
adjust the performance to match the power available. please connect a dell xxx-W AC adapter or greater for best
system performance. strike the F3 key (before the F1 or F2 key) if you do not want to see power warning
messages again. strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility. — Connect the correct AC adapter to the
computer or docking station.
.
.
).
).
The computer is docked and only battery power is detected. This can happen if the power adapter is missing, the
power cord is unplugged, or the computer is not properly connected to the docking station. You should undock,
redock, attach the power adapter, or plug in the power cord. Strike the F1 key to shutdown.
The amount of system memory has changed. if you did not change your memory... to resolve this issue, try to
reseat the memory. Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility. Press F5 to run onboard
diagnostics. —
Reseat the memory (see Memory).
If memory was not removed or installed, memory module or system board failure may have occurred. Contact
Dell for assistance (see Contacting Dell
Unsupported memory. strike the F1 key to shutdown. — Ensure that the memory you are using is supported by your
computer (see Memory
WARNING: A xxx-W AC adapter has been detected, which is less than the recommended xxx-W AC adapter
originally shipped. this will increase the time to charge the battery. they system will adjust the performance to
match the power available. please connect a dell xxx-W AC adapter or greater for best performance. strike the
F3 key (before the F1 or F2 key) if you do not want to see power warning messages again. strike the F1 key to
continue, F2 to run the setup
utility. — Connect the correct AC adapter to the computer or docking station.
WARNING: The primary battery cannot be identified. this system will be unable to charge batteries until this
battery is removed. — For computers with two batteries installed, the primary battery may be installed incorrectly, or the
Troubleshooting: Dell Latitude E4300 Service Manual
WARNING: The second battery cannot be identified. this system will be unable to charge batteries until this
battery is removed. — For computers with two batteries installed, the secondary battery may be installed incorrectly, or the
battery or system board may be defective.
WARNING: The batteries cannot be identified. this system will be unable to charge batteries until this battery is
removed. — For computers with two batteries installed, one or more of the batteries may be installed incorrectly, or the
batteries or system board may be defective.
WARNING: The battery cannot be identified. this system will be unable to charge this battery. — The battery may
be installed incorrectly, or the battery or system board may be defective.
WARNING: The battery attached cannot power the system. The system will not boot with this battery plugged in.
Press F1 to shutdown the system.
WARNING! Battery is critically low. hit F1 to continue.
WARNING: The TPM could not be initialized — System board failure may have occurred. Contact Dell for assistance (see
Contacting Dell
Warning messages have been disabled. run the setup utility to enable these messages. — For information on using
the system setup program, see the Dell Technology Guide on your computer or at support.dell.com.
WARNING: Dell's disk monitoring system has detected that drive [0/1] on the [primary/secondary] eide
controller is operating outside of normal specifications. it is advisable to immediately back up your data and
replace your hard drive by calling your support desk or
dell. — Contact Dell for assistance (see Contacting Dell
).
).
Your power adapter does not supply enough power to run the attached docking station. either undock or insert
an appropriate adapter. strike the F1 key to shutdown. — Connect the correct AC adapter.
Your system is docked, but the AC adapter type cannot be determined. either undock or insert an appropriate
adapter. strike the F1 key to shutdown. — The AC adapter may be installed incorrectly, or the AC adapter or docking
station may be defective.
Your system automatically power off because it became warmer than expected. this may have been caused by:
operating or storing the system in an environment where the ambient temperature is too high, or obstructing the
air flow from the system fan vents. if the problem recurs, please call dell support with error code #M1004. —
Contact Dell for assistance (see Contacting Dell
***Processor SSDT data not found*** operating system power management for mult core processors will be
disabled. —
***UL circuit tripped*** the UL trip count is shown below the F3-key message. strike the F3 key to clear the UL
counter, any other key to continue. — Run the Dell Diagnostics (see Dell Diagnostics
***Processor microcode update failure*** the revision of processor in the system is not supported. —
Ensure that the processor you are using is supported by your computer. See "Specifications" in the Setup and Quick
Reference Guide.
).
).
Hardware Troubleshooter
If a device is either not detected during the operating system setup or is detected, but incorrectly configured, you can use the
Hardware Troubleshooter to resolve the incompatibility.
Troubleshooting: Dell Latitude E4300 Service Manual
2. Type hardware troubleshooter in the search field and press <Enter> to start the search.
3. In the search results, select the option that best describes the problem and follow the remaining troubleshooting steps.
Windows XP:
1. Click Start®Help and Support.
2. Type hardware troubleshooter in the search field and press <Enter> to start the search.
3. In the Fix a Problem section, click Hardware Troubleshooter.
4. In the Hardware Troubleshooter list, select the option that best describes the problem and click Next to follow the
remaining troubleshooting steps.
Dell Diagnostics
CAUTION: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your
computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage on
www.dell.com at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics
If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in Troubleshooting, and then run the Dell Diagnostics
before contacting Dell for assistance.
Start the Dell Diagnostics from your hard drive or from the Drivers and Utilities media provided with your computer.
NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities media is optional and may not ship with your computer.
NOTE: The Dell Diagnostics only operate on Dell computers.
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive
Before running the Dell Diagnostics, enter the system setup program to review your computer's configuration information,
and ensure that the device you want to test is displayed in the system setup program and is active. For information on using
the system setup program, see the Dell Technology Guide on your computer or at support.dell.com.
The Dell Diagnostics is located on a separate diagnostic utility partition on your hard drive.
NOTE: If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation that came with
your docking device for instructions.
NOTE: If your computer does not display a screen image, contact Dell (see Contacting Dell).
1. Ensure that the computer is connected to an electrical outlet that is known to be working properly.
2. Press and hold the <Fn> key or the mute button then turn on your computer.
NOTE: Alternatively, you can select Diagnostics from the one-time boot menu at startup to boot to the
diagnostic utility partition and run the Dell Diagnostics. For information on using the system setup program, see
the Dell Technology Guide on your computer or at support.dell.com.
The computer runs the Pre-boot System Assessment (PSA), a series of initial tests of your system board, keyboard,
display, memory, hard drive, etc.
During the assessment, answer any questions that appear.
Troubleshooting: Dell Latitude E4300 Service Manual
If failures are detected during the Pre-boot System Assessment, write down the error code(s) and see
Contacting Dell.
If the Pre-boot System Assessment completes successfully, the following message appears: "Booting DellDiagnostic Utility Partition. Press any key to continue."
NOTE: If you see a message stating that no diagnostics utility partition has been found, run the Dell Diagnostics
from your Drivers and Utilities media (see Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities Media
3. Press any key to start the Dell Diagnostics from the diagnostics utility partition on your hard drive.
4. Press <Tab> to select Test System and then press <Enter>.
NOTE: It is recommended that you select Test System to run a complete test on your computer. Selecting Test
Memory initiates the extended memory test, which can take up to thirty minutes or more to complete. When
the test completes, record the test results and then press any key to return to the previous menu.
5. At the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu, left-click with the touch pad/mouse, or press <Tab> and then <Enter>, to select
the test you want to run (see Dell Diagnostics Main Menu
NOTE: Write down any error codes and problem descriptions exactly as they appear and follow the instructions on the
screen.
).
).
6. After all tests have completed, close the test window to return to the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu.
7. Close the Main Menu window to exit the Dell Diagnostics and restart the computer.
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities Media
Before running the Dell Diagnostics, enter the system setup program to review your computer's configuration information,
and ensure that the device you want to test is displayed in the system setup program and is active. For information on using
the system setup program, see the Dell Technology Guide on your computer or at support.dell.com.
1. Insert the Drivers and Utilities media into the optical drive.
2. Restart your computer.
3. When the DELL logo appears, press <F12> immediately.
NOTE: Keyboard failure may result when a key is held down for extended periods of time. To avoid possible keyboard
failure, press and release <F12> in even intervals to open the Boot Device Menu.
®
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft
desktop, then shut down your computer and try again.
4. When the boot device list appears, use the up- or down- arrow keys to highlight CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive then press
<Enter>.
Windows
NOTE: Using the one-time boot menu changes the boot sequence for the current boot only. Upon restart, the
computer boots according to the boot sequence specified in the system setup program.
5. Press any key to confirm that you want to start from the CD/DVD.
If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows
desktop, then shut down your computer and try again.
Troubleshooting: Dell Latitude E4300 Service Manual
7. At the Dell Diagnostics Menu, type 1 to select Dell 32-bit Diagnostics for Resource CD (graphical user
interface).
8. Press <Tab> to select Test System and then press <Enter>.
NOTE: It is recommended that you select Test System to run a complete test on your computer. Selecting Test
Memory initiates the extended memory test, which can take up to thirty minutes or more to complete. When
the test completes, record the test results and then press any key to return to the previous menu.
9. At the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu, left-click with the mouse, or press <Tab> and then <Enter>, to select the test you
want to run (see Dell Diagnostics Main Menu
NOTE: Write down any error codes and problem descriptions exactly as they appear and follow the instructions on the
screen.
10. After all tests have completed, close the test window to return to the Dell Diagnostics Main Menu.
11. Close the Main Menu window to exit the Dell Diagnostics and restart the computer.
12. Remove the Drivers and Utilities media from the optical drive.
).
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu
After the Dell Diagnostics loads the following menu appears:
OptionFunction
Test Memory Run the stand-alone memory test
Test SystemRun system diagnostics
ExitExit the diagnostics
Press <Tab> to select the test you want to run and then press <Enter>.
NOTE: It is recommended that you select Test System to run a complete test on your computer. Selecting Test
Memory initiates the extended memory test, which can take up to thirty minutes or more to complete. When the test
completes, record the test results and then press any key to return to this menu.
After Test System is selected, the following menu appears:
OptionFunction
Express
Test
Performs a quick test of devices in the system. This typically can take 10 to 20 minutes.
NOTE: The Express Test requires no interaction on your part. Run Express Test first to increase the possibility
Performs a thorough check of devices in the system. This typically can take an hour or more.
NOTE: The Extended Test periodically requires your input to answer specific questions.
Use to test a specific device or customize the tests to be run.
This option allows you to select tests based on a symptom of the problem you are having. This option lists the
most common symptoms.
Troubleshooting: Dell Latitude E4300 Service Manual
NOTE: It is recommended that you select Extended Test to perform a more thorough check of devices in the
computer.
For any problem encountered during a test, a message appears with an error code and a description of the problem. Write
down the error code and problem description exactly as it appears and follow the instructions on the screen. If you cannot
resolve the problem, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" on page 112).
NOTE: When contacting Dell support, have your Service Tag ready. The Service Tag for your computer is located at
the top of each test screen.
The following tabs provide additional information for tests run from the Custom Test or Symptom Tree option:
TabFunction
Results
ErrorsDisplays error conditions encountered, error codes, and the problem description.
HelpDescribes the test and any requirements for running the test.
Configuration Displays the hardware configuration for the selected device.
Displays the results of the test and any error conditions encountered.
The Dell Diagnostics obtains configuration information for all devices from the system setup program,
memory, and various internal tests, and displays the information in the device list in the left pane of the
screen.
NOTE: The device list may not display the names of all components installed on your computer or all devices
attached to your computer.
ParametersAllows you to customize the test, if applicable, by changing the test settings.
Solving Problems
Follow these tips when troubleshooting your computer:
If you added or removed a part before the problem started, review the installation procedures and ensure that the part
is correctly installed.
If a peripheral device does not work, ensure that the device is properly connected.
If an error message appears on the screen, write down the exact message. This message may help support personnel
diagnose and fix the problem(s).
If an error message occurs in a program, see the program's documentation.
NOTE: The procedures in this document were written for the Windows default view, so they may not apply if you set
your Dell computer to the Windows Classic view.
Battery Problems
CAUTION: There is a danger of a new battery exploding if it is incorrectly installed. Replace the battery
only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Discard used batteries
according to the manufacturer's instructions.
CAUTION: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your
computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage on
www.dell.com at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Troubleshooting: Dell Latitude E4300 Service Manual
CAUTION: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your
computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage on
www.dell.com at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Ensure that Microsoft Windows Recognizes the drive —
Windows Vista:
Click the Windows Vista Start button and click Computer.
Windows XP:
Click Start and click My Computer.
If the drive is not listed, perform a full scan with your antivirus software to check for and remove viruses. Viruses can
sometimes prevent Windows from recognizing the drive.
Test the drive —
Insert another disc to eliminate the possibility that the original drive is defective.
Insert a bootable floppy disk and restart the computer.
Clean the drive or disk
Check the cable connections
Run the Hardware Troubleshooter —
See Hardware Troubleshooter
Run the Dell Diagnostics —
See Dell Diagnostics
.
.
Optical drive problems
NOTE: High-speed optical drive vibration is normal and may cause noise, which does not indicate a defect in the drive
or the media.
NOTE: Because of different regions worldwide and different disc formats, not all DVD titles work in all DVD drives.
Adjust the Windows volume control —
Click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen.
Ensure that the volume is turned up by clicking the slidebar and dragging it up.
Ensure that the sound is not muted by clicking any boxes that are checked.
Check the speakers and subwoofer —
See Sound and Speaker Problems
.
Problems writing to an optical drive
Close other programs —
The optical drive must receive a steady stream of data during the writing process. If the stream is interrupted, an error
occurs. Try closing all programs before you write to the optical.
Troubleshooting: Dell Latitude E4300 Service Manual
Turn off standby mode in Windows before writing to a disc —
Search for the keyword standby in Windows Help and Support for information on power management modes.
Hard drive problems
Run Check Disk —
Windows Vista:
1. Click Start
2. Right-click Local Disk C:.
3. Click Properties® Tools®Check Now.
The User Account Control window may appear. If you are an administrator on the computer, click Continue;
otherwise, contact your administrator to continue the desired action.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen.
Windows XP:
1. Click Start and click My Computer.
2. Right-click Local Disk C:.
3. Click Properties® Tools®Check Now.
4. Click Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors and click Start.
and click Computer.
E-Mail and Internet Problems
CAUTION: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your
computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage on
www.dell.com at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
®
Check the Microsoft Outlook
1. In Outlook Express, click Tools®Options®Security.
2. Click Do not allow attachments to remove the checkmark, as needed.
Express security settings — If you cannot open your e-mail attachments:
Ensure that you are connected to the Internet — Ensure that you have subscribed to an Internet provider. With the
Outlook Express e-mail program open, click File. If Work Offline has a checkmark next to it, click the checkmark to remove
it and connect to the Internet. For help, contact your Internet service provider.
Error Messages
CAUTION: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your
computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage on
www.dell.com at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
If the error message is not listed, see the documentation for the operating system or the program that was running when the
message appeared.
A filename cannot contain any of the following characters: \ / : * ? " < > | — Do not use these characters in
filenames.
A required .DLL file was not found — The program that you are trying to open is missing an essential file. To remove and
Troubleshooting: Dell Latitude E4300 Service Manual
1. Click Start®Control Panel® Programs® Programs and Features.
2. Select the program you want to remove.
3. Click Uninstall.
4. See the program documentation for installation instructions.
Windows XP:
1. Click Start®Control Panel® Add or Remove Programs® Programs and Features.
2. Select the program you want to remove.
3. Click Uninstall.
4. See the program documentation for installation instructions.
drive letter :\ is not accessible. The device is not ready — The drive cannot read the disk. Insert a disk into the drive
and try again.
Insert bootable media — Insert a bootable floppy disk, CD, or DVD.
Non-system disk error — Remove the floppy disk from the floppy drive and restart your computer.
Not enough memory or resources. Close some programs and try again — Close all windows and open the program
that you want to use. In some cases, you may have to restart your computer to restore computer resources. If so, run the
program that you want to use first.
Operating system not found — Contact Dell (see Contacting Dell
).
IEEE 1394 Device Problems
CAUTION: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your
computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage on
www.dell.com at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
NOTE: Your computer supports only IEEE 1394a standard.
Ensure that the cable for the IEEE 1394 device is properly inserted into the device and into the connector on the
computer
Ensure that the IEEE 1394 device is enabled in system setup — See "System Setup Options" in the Dell Technology
Guide on your computer or at support.dell.com.
Ensure that the IEEE 1394 device is recognized by Windows —
Windows Vista:
1. Click Start
2. Click Device Manager.
Windows XP:
®Control Panel® Hardware and Sound.
1. Click Start and clickControl Panel.
2. Under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance® System®System Properties®Hardware®Device Manager.
If your IEEE 1394 device is listed, Windows recognizes the device.
If you have problems with a Dell IEEE 1394 device —
Contact Dell (see Contacting Dell
If you have problems with an IEEE 1394 device not provided by Dell — Contact the IEEE 1394 device manufacturer.
Troubleshooting: Dell Latitude E4300 Service Manual
Windows XP:
Lockups and Software Problems
CAUTION: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your
computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage on
www.dell.com at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
The computer does not start up
Check the diagnostic lights —
See Diagnostic Lights
Ensure that the power cable is firmly connected to the computer and to the electrical outlet.
.
The computer stops responding
NOTICE: You may lose data if you are unable to perform an operating system shutdown.
Turn the computer off — If you are unable to get a response by pressing a key on your keyboard or moving your mouse,
press and hold the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds (until the computer turns off), and then restart your computer.
A program stops responding
End the program —
1. Press <Ctrl><Shift><Esc> simultaneously to access the Task Manager.
2. Click the Applications tab.
3. Click to select the program that is no longer responding.
4. Click End Task.
A program crashes repeatedly
NOTE: Most software includes installation instructions in its documentation or on a floppy disk, CD, or DVD.
Check the software documentation —
If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program.
A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system
Run the Program Compatibility Wizard —
Windows Vista:
The Program Compatibility Wizard configures a program so that it runs in an environment similar to non-Windows Vista
operating system environments.
1. Click Start
2. In the welcome screen, click Next.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen.
®Control Panel® Programs® Use an older program with this version of Windows.
Troubleshooting: Dell Latitude E4300 Service Manual
CAUTION: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your
The Program Compatibility Wizard configures a program so that it runs in an environment similar to non-XP operating system
environments.
1. Click Start®All Programs® Accessories® Program Compatibility Wizard® Next.
2. Follow the instructions on the screen.
A solid blue screen appears
Turn the computer off —
If you are unable to get a response by pressing a key on your keyboard or moving your mouse, press and hold the power
button for at least 8 to 10 seconds (until the computer turns off), and then restart your computer.
Other software problems
Check the software documentation or contact the software manufacturer for troubleshooting information —
Ensure that the program is compatible with the operating system installed on your computer.
Ensure that your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements needed to run the software. See the software
documentation for information.
Ensure that the program is installed and configured properly.
Verify that the device drivers do not conflict with the program.
If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program.
Back up your files immediately.
Use a virus-scanning program to check the hard drive, floppy disks, CDs, or DVDs.
Save and close any open files or programs and shut down your computer through the Start menu.
Memory Problems
CAUTION: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your
computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage on
www.dell.com at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
If you receive an insufficient memory message —
Save and close any open files and exit any open programs you are not using to see if that resolves the problem.
See the software documentation for minimum memory requirements. If necessary, install additional memory
(seeMemory
Reseat the memory modules (seeMemory) to ensure that your computer is successfully communicating with the
memory.
Run the Dell Diagnostics (see Dell Diagnostics).
If you experience other memory problems —
Reseat the memory modules (see Memory) to ensure that your computer is successfully communicating with the
memory.
Ensure that you are following the memory installation guidelines (see Replacing a Memory Module).
Ensure that the memory you are using is supported by your computer. For more information about the type of memory
supported by your computer, see Memory
Run the Dell Diagnostics (see Dell Diagnostics).
Troubleshooting: Dell Latitude E4300 Service Manual
computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage on
www.dell.com at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
Check the network cable connector — Ensure that the network cable is firmly inserted into the network connector on the
back of the computer and the network jack.
Check the network lights on the back of the computer — If the link integrity light is off, no network communication is
occurring. Replace the network cable.
Restart the computer and log on to the network again.
Check your network settings — Contact your network administrator or the person who set up your network to verify that
your network settings are correct and that the network is functioning.
Run the Hardware Troubleshooter — See Hardware Troubleshooter
.
Power Problems
CAUTION: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your
computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage on
www.dell.com at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
If the power light is green and the computer is not responding — See Diagnostic Lights
If the power light is blinking green — The computer is in standby mode. Press a key on the keyboard, move the mouse,
or press the power button to resume normal operation.
If the power light is off — The computer is either turned off or is not receiving power.
Reseat the power cable in the power connector on the back of the computer and the electrical outlet.
Bypass power strips, power extension cables, and other power protection devices to verify that the computer turns on
properly.
Ensure that any power strips being used are plugged into an electrical outlet and are turned on.
Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.
Ensure that the main power cable and front panel cable are securely connected to the system board (see Memory).
If the power light is blinking amber — The computer is receiving electrical power, but an internal power problem may
exist.
.
Ensure that the voltage selection switch is set to match the AC power at your location (if applicable).
Ensure that all components and cables are properly installed and securely connected to the system board (seeSystem
Board).
If the power light is steady amber — A device may be malfunctioning or incorrectly installed.
Ensure that the processor power cable is securely connected to the system board power connector (POWER2) (see
System Board
Remove and then reinstall all memory modules (see Memory).
Remove and then reinstall any expansion cards, including graphics cards.
Eliminate interference — Some possible causes of interference are:
Power, keyboard, and mouse extension cables
Too many devices connected to the same power strip
Multiple power strips connected to the same electrical outlet
Troubleshooting: Dell Latitude E4300 Service Manual
2. If the scanner is listed, Windows recognizes the scanner.
CAUTION: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your
computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage on
www.dell.com at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
NOTE: If you need technical assistance for your printer, contact the printer's manufacturer.
Check the printer documentation — See the printer documentation for setup and troubleshooting information.
Ensure that the printer is turned on.
Check the printer cable connections —
See the printer documentation for cable connection information.
Ensure that the printer cables are securely connected to the printer and the computer.
Test the electrical outlet — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.
Verify that the printer is recognized by Windows —
Windows Vista:
1. Click Start
2. If the printer is listed, right-click the printer icon.
3. Click Properties and click Ports.
4. Adjust the settings, as needed.
Windows XP:
1. Click Start®Control Panel®Printers and Other Hardware®View installed printers or fax printers.
2. If the printer is listed, right-click the printer icon.
3. Click Properties®Ports. For a parallel printer, ensure that the Print to the following port(s): setting is LPT1
(Printer Port). For a USB printer, ensure that the Print to the following port(s): setting is USB.
Reinstall the printer driver — See the printer documentation for information on reinstalling the printer driver.
® Control Panel® Hardware and Sound® Printer.
Scanner Problems
CAUTION: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your
computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage on
www.dell.com at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
NOTE: If you need technical assistance for your scanner, contact the scanner's manufacturer.
Check the scanner documentation — See the scanner documentation for setup and troubleshooting information.
Unlock the scanner — Ensure that your scanner is unlocked (if the scanner has a locking tab or button).
Restart the computer and try the scanner again
Check the cable connections —
See the scanner documentation for information on cable connections.
Ensure that the scanner cables are securely connected to the scanner and the computer.
Verify that the scanner is recognized by Microsoft Windows —
® Control Panel® Hardware and Sound® Scanners and Cameras.
Troubleshooting: Dell Latitude E4300 Service Manual
Windows XP:
1. Click Start®Control Panel®Printers and Other Hardware®Scanners and Cameras.
2. If your scanner is listed, Windows recognizes the scanner.
Reinstall the scanner driver — See the scanner documentation for instructions.
Sound and Speaker Problems
CAUTION: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your
computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage on
www.dell.com at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
No sound from speakers
NOTE: The volume control in MP3 and other media players may override the Windows volume setting. Always check to
ensure that the volume on the media player(s) has not been turned down or off.
Check the speaker cable connections — Ensure that the speakers are connected as shown on the setup diagram supplied
with the speakers. If you purchased a sound card, ensure that the speakers are connected to the card.
Ensure that the subwoofer and the speakers are turned on — See the setup diagram supplied with the speakers. If
your speakers have volume controls, adjust the volume, bass, or treble to eliminate distortion.
Adjust the Windows volume control — Click or double-click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen.
Ensure that the volume is turned up and that the sound is not muted.
Disconnect headphones from the headphone connector — Sound from the speakers is automatically disabled when
headphones are connected to the computer's front-panel headphone connector.
Test the electrical outlet — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.
Eliminate possible interference — Turn off nearby fans, fluorescent lights, or halogen lamps to check for interference.
Run the speaker diagnostics.
Run the Hardware Troubleshooter — See Hardware Troubleshooter
.
No sound from headphones
Check the headphone cable connection — Ensure that the headphone cable is securely inserted into the headphone
connector (see "Front View" in the Setup and Quick Reference Guide).
Adjust the Windows volume control — Click or double-click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your screen.
Ensure that the volume is turned up and that the sound is not muted.
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems
Check the touch pad settings —
1. Click Start® Control Panel® Printers and Other Hardware® Mouse.
Troubleshooting: Dell Latitude E4300 Service Manual
2. Try adjusting the settings.
Check the mouse cable — Shut down the computer. Disconnect the mouse cable, check it for damage, and firmly reconnect
the cable.
If you are using a mouse extension cable, disconnect it and connect the mouse directly to the computer.
To verify that the problem is with the mouse, check the touch pad —
1. Shut down the computer.
2. Disconnect the mouse.
3. Turn on the computer.
4. At the Windows
If the touch pad operates correctly, the mouse may be defective.
Check the system setup program settings — Verify that the system setup program lists the correct device for the pointing
device option. (The computer automatically recognizes a USB mouse without making any setting adjustments.) For more
information on using the system setup program, see the Dell Technology Guide on your computer or at support.dell.com.
desktop, use the touch pad to move the cursor around, select an icon, and open it.
Test the mouse controller — To test the mouse controller (which affects pointer movement) and the operation of the touch
pad or mouse buttons, run the Mouse test in the Pointing Devices test group in the Dell Diagnostics (see Dell Diagnostics
Reinstall the touch pad driver —
See "Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities" in the Setup and Quick Reference Guide.
).
Video and Monitor Problems
CAUTION: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your
computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage on
www.dell.com at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
NOTICE: If your computer came with a PCI graphics card installed, removal of the card is not necessary
when installing additional graphics cards; however, the card is required for troubleshooting purposes. If
you remove the card, store it in a safe and secure location. For information about your graphics card, go to
support.dell.com.
The screen is blank
NOTE: For troubleshooting procedures, see the monitor's documentation.
The screen is difficult to read
Test the electrical outlet — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.
Check the diagnostic lights —
See Diagnostic Lights
Rotate the display to eliminate sunlight glare and possible interference.
Troubleshooting: Dell Latitude E4300 Service Manual
Adjust the Windows display settings —
Windows Vista:
1. Click Start
2. Adjust Resolution and Colors settings, as needed.
Windows XP:
1. Click Start®Control Panel®Appearance and Themes.
2. Click the area you want to change or click the Display icon.
3. Try different settings for Color quality and Screen resolution.
® Control Panel® Hardware and Sound® Personalization® Display Settings.
Only part of the display is readable
Connect an external monitor —
1. Shut down your computer and connect an external monitor to the computer.
2. Turn on the computer and the monitor and adjust the monitor brightness and contrast controls.
If the external monitor works, the computer display or video controller may be defective. Contact Dell (see Contacting Dell
).
Dell Technical Update Service
The Dell Technical Update service provides proactive e-mail notification of software and hardware updates for your computer.
The service is free and can be customized for content, format, and how frequently you receive notifications.
To enroll for the Dell Technical Update service, go to support.dell.com/technicalupdate.
Dell Support Utility
The Dell Support Utility is installed on your computer and available from the Dell Support, , icon on the taskbar or from
the Start button. Use this support utility for self-support information, software updates, and health scans of your computing
environment.
Accessing the Dell Support Utility
Access the Dell Support Utility from the icon on the taskbar or from the Start menu.
If the Dell Support icon does not appear in your taskbar:
1. Click Start® All Programs® Dell Support®Dell Support Settings.
2. Ensure that the Show icon on the taskbar option is checked.
NOTE: If the Dell Support Utility is not available from the Start menu, go to support.dell.com and download the
software.
The Dell Support Utility is customized for your computing environment.
icon in the taskbar functions differently when you click, double-click, or right-click the icon.
Troubleshooting: Dell Latitude E4300 Service Manual
Clicking the Dell Support Icon
Click or right-click the icon to perform the following tasks:
Check your computing environment.
View the Dell Support Utility settings.
Access the help file for the Dell Support Utility.
View frequently asked questions.
Learn more about the Dell Support Utility.
Turn the Dell Support Utility off.
Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon
Double-click the icon to manually check your computing environment, view frequently asked questions, access the help
file for the Dell Support Utility, and view Dell Support settings.
For more information about the Dell Support Utility, click the question mark (?) at the top of the Dell Support screen.
Before Working on Your Computer: Dell Latitude E4300 Service Manual
Back to Contents Page
Before Working on Your Computer
Dell™ Latitude™ E4300 Service Manual
Recommended ToolsWhat You Need to Know For Your SafetyAfter Working on Your Computer
This document provides procedures for removing and installing the components in your computer. Unless otherwise noted,
each procedure assumes that:
You have performed the steps in this section.
You have read the safety information that shipped with your computer.
When replacing a component, you have already removed the original, if installed.
NOTE: The color of your computer and certain components may appear differently than shown in this document.
Recommended Tools
The procedures in this document may require the following tools:
Small flat-blade screwdriver
Phillips screwdriver
Small plastic scribe
Flash BIOS update (see the Dell Support website at support.dell.com)
What You Need to Know For Your Safety
Use the following safety guidelines to help protect your computer from potential damage and to help ensure your own
personal safety.
CAUTION: Before working inside the computer, read the safety information that shipped with the
computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage on
www.dell.com at: www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the
online or telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is
not covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
NOTICE: To avoid electrostatic discharge, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by
periodically touching an unpainted metal surface, such as a connector on the back of the computer.
NOTICE: Handle components and cards with care. Do not touch the components or contacts on a card. Hold
a card by its edges or by its metal mounting bracket. Hold a component such as a processor by its edges,
not by its pins.
NOTICE: When disconnecting a cable, pull on the cable's connector or on its strain-relief loop, not on the
cable itself. For cable connectors with locking tabs, press inward on the locking tabs to release the
connector. When connecting a cable, ensure that the connectors are correctly oriented and aligned to avoid
damage to the connector and/or the connector's pins.
Before Working on Your Computer: Dell Latitude E4300 Service Manual
After Working on Your Computer
After you have completed the replacement procedures, ensure you connect the external devices, cards, cables, and so on,
before turning on your computer.
NOTE: To avoid damage to the computer, use only the battery designed for this particular Dell computer. Do not use
batteries designed for other Dell computers.
1. Connect any external devices, such as a port replicator, battery slice, or cool slice, and replace any cards (such as a
smart card).
2. Connect any telephone or network cables to your computer.
3. Replace the battery. Slide the battery into the battery bay until it clicks into place.
4. Connect your computer and all attached devices to their electrical outlets.
1. Save and close any open files, and exit any open programs.
2. Set the power management settings so that the computer does not enter sleep, standby, or hibernate mode when you
close (lower) the display:
®
Microsoft
a. Click Start® Control Panel® Performance and Maintenance® Power Options® Advanced.
b. Under When I close the lid of my portable computer, select Do nothing.
Windows® XP
Windows Vista
a. Click Start® Control Panel® Mobile PC® Power Options® Change what closing the lid does.
b. Under the When I close the lid drop-down menu, select Do nothing.
c. Pull the laptop release lever to release the laptop from the battery slice.
®
1battery slice2release lever
4. Lift the back edge of the laptop up and slide the laptop toward the back of the battery slice.
Attaching the Battery Slice
NOTE: After attaching the battery slice to your laptop, the laptop AC adapter can charge the battery slice through the
laptop AC adapter connector.
1. While holding the laptop at a 30-degree angle to the battery slice, set the slots on the bottom of the laptop onto the
battery slice hooks, and then lower the back of the laptop onto the battery slice. The laptop docking connector should
engage the battery slice docking connector.