Dell Latitude Troubleshooting Guide
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Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
1994–1997 Dell Computer Corpor ation. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in any ma nner whatsoever without the wr it te n permission of Dell Compute r Corporation is strictly forbi dden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Latitude, and Dell Dimension are registered trad emarks, and DellW are is a registered service
mark of Dell Computer Corporation; Microsoft, MS-DOS, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation; Intel and
Pentium are registered trademarks and MMX is a trademark of Intel Corpor at ion; CompuServe is a registered trademark of CompuServe, Inc.
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 Corporation disclaims any propriet ary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own .
October 1997 P/N 54723
Safety Instructions
U
se the following safety guidelines to he lp protect
your computer from potential damage and to help ensure
your own personal safety.
W
hen Using Your Computer
As you use your computer, observe the following safety
guidelines:
•
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, 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.
•
Do not carry a battery in your pock et, pur se, o r 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.
•
Protect your computer, battery, hard-disk drive,
CD-ROM drive, and diskette drive from environmental hazards such as dirt, dust, food, liquids,
temperature extremes, and overexposure to sunlight.
•
Do not press down on the top of the hard-disk drive,
CD-ROM drive, or diskette drive, or place heavy
objects on them. Store these drives in a safe place.
•
Do not push objects into the air intake and fan openings of your computer. Doing so can cause fire or
electric shock by shorting out interior components.
Protect the air intake from dust and other foreign
particles.
•
When you move your computer between environments with very different temperature and/or
humidity range s, 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.
CAUTION: When taking the computer from
low-temperature conditions into a warmer
environment or from high-temperature conditions into a cooler environment, allow the
computer to acclimate to room temperature
before turning on power.
•
If using alternatin g current (AC) p ower , plug the AC
adapter power cable into a properly gr ounded power
source. Be sure that nothing rests on your adapter’s
power cable and that the cable is not located where it
can be tripped over or stepped on.
•
The AC adapter should be in a ventilated area, such
as on a desktop or on the floor, when used to power
the computer or charge the battery. Do not use the
AC adapter in a poorly ventilated environment, such
as inside a carrying case.
•
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.
v
•
Do not attempt to service the computer yourself.
Always follow installation instructio ns closely.
•
Handle components with care. Hold a component
such as a memory module by its edges, not by the
card-edge connector.
•
When removing a memory module from the system
board or disconnecting a peripheral device from the
computer, wait five 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, unpl ug it
from its power source, and remove the battery.
•
Clean your computer with a soft, clean cloth dampened with water. Stroke the damp cloth across the
display in one direction, moving from the top of th e
display to the bottom.
•
If your computer gets wet or is damaged, follow the
procedures described in Chapter 3, “Troubleshooting
Your Computer .” If, aft er fol lowing these pro cedures,
you confirm that your computer is not operati ng pr operly , contact Dell Computer Corporation. (See
Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for the appropriate telephone number . )
(usually 510 to 610 millimeters [mm] [20 to 24
inches] from your eyes). Make sure the monitor
screen is at eye level or slightly lower when you are
sitting in front of the monitor.
•
Use a chair that provides good lower back support.
•
Keep your forearms horizontal with your wrists in a
neutral, comfortable position while using the keyboard, trackball, or external mouse.
•
Always use the palmrest with the keyboard or trackball. Leave space to rest your hands when using an
external mouse.
•
Let your upper arms hang naturally at your sides.
•
Sit erect with your feet resting on the floor and your
thighs level.
•
When sitting, make sure the weight of your legs is on
your feet and not on the front of your chair seat.
Adjust your chair’s height or use a footrest, if necessary, to maintain proper posture.
•
Vary your work acti viti es. Try to organi ze your work
so that you do not have to type for extended periods
without stopping. When you stop typing, try to do
things that use both hands.
E
rgonomic Computing Habits
WARNING: Improper or prolonged keyboard use
may result in injury.
For comfort and efficiency, observe the following ergonomic guidelines when setting u p an d using your
computer:
•
Position your computer directly in front of you as
you work.
•
Adjust the tilt of the computer’s display, its contrast
and/or brightness settings, and the lighting around
you (such as overhead lights, desk lamps, and the
curtains or blinds on nearby windows) to minimize
reflections and glare on the display.
•
When using an external monitor with your computer ,
set the monitor at a comfortable viewing distance
vi
W
hen Removing or Installing
Memory Modules
Before removing o r installing memory modules, perform
the following steps in the sequence indicated.
CAUTION: The only time you should ever access
the inside of your computer is when you are installing memory modules. Wait five seconds after
turning off the computer before disconnecting a
peripheral device or removing a memory module to
help prevent possible damage to the system board.
1. Turn off your computer and any attached
peripherals.
2. Disconnect your computer and peripherals from
AC power to reduce the potential for personal
injury or shock. Also, disconnect any telephone or
telecommunication line from the computer.
wrists relaxed and flat
arms at desk level
computer positioned
directly in front of user
3. Remove all installed batteries.
4. Ground yourself by touching the unpainted metal
surface of an I/O connector on the back of the
computer.
While you work, periodically touch the connector
to dissipate any static electricity that might harm
internal components.
P
rotecting Against Electrostatic
Discharge
Static electricity can harm electronic components inside
your computer . To prevent static damage, dischar ge static
electricity from your body before you touch any of your
computer’s electronic components, such as a memory
module. You can do so by touching an unpainted metal
surface on the computer’s I/O panel.
As you continue to work inside the computer, periodically touch an I/O connector to remove any static charge
your body may have accumulated.
In addition to the preceding precautions, you can also
take the following steps to prevent damage from electrostatic discharge (ESD):
•
When unpacking a static-sensitive component from its
shipping carton, do not remove the comp onent from
the antistatic packing material until you are ready t o
install the component. 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.
•
Handle all sensitive components in a static-safe area.
If possible, use antistatic floor pads and workbench
pads.
The following caution may appear throughout this document to remind you of these precautions:
CAUTION: See “Protecting Against Electrostatic
Discharge” in the safety instructions at the front of
this guide.
vii
viii
Preface
A
bout This Guide
This guide is intended for anyone who uses the Dell
Latitude CP portable computer. It can be used by both
first-time and experienced computer users who want to
learn about the features of the computer. This guide also
provides basic troublesh ooti ng procedu r es and inst r uctions for using the Dell Diagnostics to test your computer
and its components.
Summaries of the chapters and appendixes of this guide
follow:
•
Chapter 1, “Introduction,” gives an overview of the
computer features and a list of available upgrades.
•
Chapter 2, “Customizing System Features,”
describes how to use the System Setup program to
change system settings, such as those that control the
computer’s power conservation features.
•
Chapter 3, “Troubleshooting Your Computer,” provides some initial checks and procedures you can use
to solve basic computer problems and some general
guidelines on analyzing software problems. This
chapter also discusses messages and beep codes.
•
Chapter 4, “Running the Dell Diagnostics,”
describes how to check the computer’ s hardware and
use the Dell Diagnostics to isolate component
problems.
•
Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” describes the he lp tools
Dell provides to assist you if you have a problem
with the computer. It also explains how and when to
call Dell for technical assistance.
•
Appendix A, “Technical Specifications,” is intended
primarily as reference material if you are interested
in learning more about the details of your computer.
•
Appendix B, “Diagnostic Video Tests,” provides
samples of screens displayed when the Video test
group of the Dell Diagnostics is run. These screens
help you check a particular video function or group
of functions on the built-in displ a y or an external
monitor.
•
Appendix C, “Regulatory Notices,” is for users who
are interested in which regulatory agencies have
tested and approved the Dell Latitude CP portable
computer.
•
Appendix D, “Warranties and Return Policy,”
describes the warranty and return policy for the Dell
computer .
W
arranty and Return Policy
Information
Dell Computer Corporation (“Dell”) manufactures its
hardware products from parts and components that are
new or equivalent to new in accordance with industrystandard practices.
For information about the Dell warranty and return policy, see Appendix D, “Warranties and Return Policy.”
ix
O
ther Documents You May Need
N
otational Conventions
Besides this Referen ce and Troubles hooti ng Gu ide , the fol-
lowing online docu menta tion is incl uded with your
computer:
The Windows-based System User’ s Guide contains essential information you need to use your
portable computer . L ook for the System User’ s
Guide icon in the Dell Accessories folder.
The Dell Q&A provides qui ck a nd deta iled
answers to the questions most commo nly as ked
about using a portable computer. Read this online
document before calling Dell for technical assistance. Look
for the Dell Q&A icon in the Dell Accessories folder.
The Dell Program Diskette Maker helps you
with one of the most critical parts of setting up
your system—creating program diskette sets.
Look for the Program Diskette Maker icon in the Dell
Accessories folder.
Dell Service and Support Policies provides
information about service and suppor t policies,
guarantees, and warranties (in the United
States and Canada only). Look for the Dell Services and
Support Policies icon in the Dell Accessories folder.
You may also have one or more of the following
documents.
NOTE: Documentation updates are sometimes included
with your computer to describe changes to your computer or software. Always read these updates before
consulting any other documentation because the updates
contain the latest information.
Operating system documentation is included if you
•
ordered your operating system software from Dell.
This documentation describes how to install (if necessary), configure, and use your operating system
software.
Documentation is included with any options you
•
purchase separately from your computer. This documentation includes information that you need to
configure and install these options in your Dell
computer.
“Readme” files may be installed on your hard-disk
•
drive to provide last-minute updates about technical
changes to your computer or advanced technical
reference material intended for experienced users or
technicians.
The following subsections list notational conventions
used in this document.
Warnings, Cautions, and Notes
Throughout this guide, there may be blocks of text
printed in color or in italic type. These blocks are warnings, cautions, and notes, and they are used as follows:
WARNING: A WARNING indicates the potential
for bodily harm and tells you how to avoid the
problem.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indi cates either potential
damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you
how to avoid the problem.
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that
helps you make better use of your computer.
Typographical Conventions
The following list defines (where appropriate) and illustrates typographical conventions used as visual cues for
specific elements of text throughout this document:
Keycaps, the labeling that appears on the keys on a
•
keyboard, are enclosed in angle brackets.
Example: <Enter>
Key combinations are series of keys to be pressed
•
simultaneously (unless otherwise indicated) to perform a single function.
Exampl e: <Ctrl><Alt><Enter>
Commands presented in lowercase bold are for ref-
•
erence purposes only and are not intended to be
typed at that particular point in the discussion.
Example: “Use the format command to . . . .”
In contrast, commands presented in the Courier
New font are intended to be typed as p art of an
instruction.
Example: “Type
drive A.”
format
to format the diskette in
x
•
Filenames and directory names are presented in
lowercase bold.
Examples: autoexec.bat and c:\windows
•
Syntax lines consist of a command and all its possible parameters. Commands are displayed in
lowercase bold; variable parameters (those for which
you substitute a value) are displayed in lowercase
italics; constant parameters are displayed in lowercase bold. The brackets indicate items that are
optional.
Example: del [drive:] [[path]filename] [/p]
•
Command lines consist of a command and may
include one or more of the command’s possible
parameters. Command lines are presented in the
Courier New font.
Example:
del c:\myfile.doc
•
Screen text is text that appears on the screen of your
display or external monitor. It can be a system message, for example, or it can be text that you are
instructed to type as part of a command (referred to
as a command line). Screen text is presented in the
Courier New font.
Example: The following message appears on your
screen:
No boot device available
•
Variables are symbols for which you substitute a
value. They are presented in italics.
Example: module n (where n represents the memory
module number)
xi
xii
Contents
Safety Instructions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .v
When Using Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .v
Ergonomic Computing Habits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
When Removing or Installing Memory Modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
Protecting Against Electrost atic
Discharge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vii
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
A
bout This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
Warranty and Return Policy Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
Other Documents You May Need. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .x
Notational Conventions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .x
Warnings, Cautions, and Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .x
Typographical Conventions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .x
Chapter 1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Hardware Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Available Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Accessing Online Documentation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Chapter 2
Using the System Setup Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Entering the System Setup Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-1
Using the System Setup Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
System Setup Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
AC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Admin Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Alarm Resume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Asset Tag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
xiii
Audio Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Battery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Battery Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
BIOS Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Boot Sequence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Boot Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Brightness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Click Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Disk Time-Out. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Diskette Drive A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Diskette Drive B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Diskette Reconfig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Display Close . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Display Time-Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Docking Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
External Cache . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
External Hot Key. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Infrared Data Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Infrared Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
IntelliSpin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Internal Hard Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Keyboard Click . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Modular Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Microprocessor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Parallel Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Pointing Device. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Power Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Primary Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Ring/Event Resume. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
S2D Time-Out. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Serial Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Service Tag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Smart CPU Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Suspend Time-Out. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
System Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Universal Connect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Video Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
xiv
Chapter 3
Troubleshooting Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Backing Up Your Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Basic Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Checking Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Look and Listen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
System Setup Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Messages and Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
System Flash Codes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Finding Software Solutions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 -12
Installing and Configuring Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Initialization or Startup Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Using Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Input Errors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Memory-Resident Programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Program Conflicts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
Avoiding Interrupt Assignment Conflicts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
Memory Allocations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15
I/O Memory Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15
Troubleshooting Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16
Troubleshooting a Wet Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17
Troubleshooting a Damaged Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Troubleshooting a Power Failure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Total Power Failure When Using the AC Adapter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Total Power Failure When Using a Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
No Power to a Part of the Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-20
Troubleshooting the Diskette Drive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
Troubleshooting the CD-ROM Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
Troubleshooting the Hard-Disk Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
Troubleshooting an External Keyboard or External Keypad. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-23
Troubleshooting Memory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-23
Troubleshooting the Built-In Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
Troubleshooting an External Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-25
Troubleshooting Serial and Parallel Ports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
Troubleshooting the Basic I/O Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-26
Troubleshooting the Infrared Port. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
xv
Chapter 4
Running the Dell Diagnostics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Features of the Dell Diagnostics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
When to Use
the Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Before You Start Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Starting the Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
How to Use the Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Confirming the System
Configuration Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
How to Use the Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Main Menu Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Select. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Subtest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Run (Under Subtest). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Select (Under Subtest) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
Options (Under Subtest). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
Test Limits (Under Subtest). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
About (Under Subtest). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
Key-Help (Under Subtest) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
Quit Menu (Under Subtest) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
Number of Times to Repeat Test(s). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Maximum Errors Allowed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Pause for User Response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Output Device for Status Messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
Output Device for Error Messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
Test Limits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
About. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
Key-Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
Quit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
Tests in the Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
Error Messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
RAM Test Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Why Run a RAM Test?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Subtests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
System Set Test Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Why Run a System Set Test? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
xvi
Subtests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Video Test Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-15
Why Run a Video Test?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
Subtests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
Keyboard Test Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
Why Run a Keyboard Test?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
Subtests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
Mouse Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
Why Run the Mouse Test?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
Subtests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
Diskette Drives Test Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
Why Run a Diskette Drives Test? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
Subtests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
Hard-Disk Drives (Non-SCSI) Test Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-17
Why Run a Hard-Disk Drives Test? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
Subtests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
IDE CD ROM Drives Test Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
Why Run an IDE CD ROM Drives Test? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
Subtests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
Serial/Infrared Ports Test Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
Why Run a Serial/Infrared Ports Test? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19
Subtests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19
Parallel Ports Test Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19
Why Run a Parallel Ports Test? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19
Subtests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20
SCSI Devices Test Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20
Why Run a SCSI Devices Test?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20
Subtests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20
Network Interface Test Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-21
Why Run a Network Interface Test? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-21
Subtests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-21
Audio Test Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22
Why Run an Audio Test. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22
Subtests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22
Other Test Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-22
Chapter 5
Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Technical Assistance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
xvii
Help Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Dell Q&A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
System User’s Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Reference and Troubleshooting Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
World Wide Web on the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Commercial Online Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Dell Diagnostics Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
AutoTech Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
TechFax Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
TechConnect BBS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Automated Order-Status System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Technical Support Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Problems With Your Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Product Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Before You Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Dell Contact Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Appendix A
Technical Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
Appendix B
Diagnostic Video Tests. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1
Video Memory Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1
Video Hardware Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1
Text Mode Character Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1
Character Attributes Subtest (80 x 25) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2
Character Set Subtest (80 x 25). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2
Character Attributes Subtest (40 x 25) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2
Character Set Subtest (40 x 25). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2
Text Mode Color Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2
Color Attributes Subtest (80 x 25) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2
Color Attributes Subtest (40 x 25) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3
Color Bars Subtest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3
Text Mode Pages Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3
Graphics Mode Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3
320 x 200 Graphics Mode Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3
320 x 200 16-Color Graphics Mode Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3
640 x 200 16-Color Graphics Mode Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-4
640 x 350 16-Color Graphics Mode Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-4
xviii
640 x 480 2-Color Graphics Mode Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-4
640 x 480 16-Color Graphics Mode Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-4
320 x 200 256-Color Graphics Mode Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-4
640 x 480 256-Color Graphics Mode Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-4
800 x 600 16-Color Graphics Mode Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-4
800 x 600 256-Color Graphics Mode Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-4
1024 x 768 16-Color Graphics Mode Screen (External Monitor) . . . . . . . . . . . .B-4
1024 x 768 256-Color Graphics Mode Screen (External Monitor) . . . . . . . . . . .B-5
Color Palettes Test. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-5
Solid Colors Test. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-5
Appendix C
Regulatory Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1
FCC Class B Notice (U.S. Only). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-1
Modem Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-2
Type of Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-2
Telephone Company Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-2
If Problems Arise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-2
Installation and Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-2
Load Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-2
IC Notice (Canada Only). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-2
Canadian Modem Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-3
EN 55022 Compliance (Czech Republic Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-3
CE Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-3
VCCI Notices (Japan Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-4
Class A ITE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-4
Class B ITE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-4
Korean Regulatory Notice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-4
Class A Device. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-4
Class B Device. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-4
Polish Center for Testing and Certification Notice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-5
Wymagania Polskiego Centrum BadaÒ i Certyfikacji . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-5
PozostaŠe instrukcje bezpieczeÒstwa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-5
NOM 024 Information (Mexico Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-6
Información para NOM 024 (únicamente para México). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-6
Chapter 6
Warranties and Return Policy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-1
xix
Limited Three-Year Warranty (U.S. and Canada Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D-1
Coverage During Year One. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-1
Coverage During Years Two and Three . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D-1
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-2
“Total Satisfaction” Return Policy (U.S. and Canada Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-2
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
xx
Figures
Figure 1-1. Front View of the Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Figure 1-2. Back View of the Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Figure 2-1. Pages 1 and 2 of the System Setup Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Figure 2-2. Pages 3 and 4 of the System Setup Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Figure 3-1. AC Adapter and Power Cable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Figure 3-2. Removing the Battery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Figure 3-3. External Cables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Figure 3-4. Flash Code Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Figure 3-5. Power, Drive Access, and Battery Indicators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16
Figure 4-1. Diagnostics Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Figure 4-2. Main Screen of the Dell Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
Figure 5-1. Diagnostics Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Figure B-1. 80-Column x 25-Line Character Set Subtest Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-2
Figure B-2. 40-Column x 25-Line Character Set Subtest Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-2
Figure B-3. 640 x 480 2-Color Graphics Mode Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-4
Tables
Table 2-1. System Setup Navigation Keys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Table 3-1. Boot Routine Indications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Table 3-2. System Error Messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Table 3-3. Flash Codes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Table 3-4. IRQ Line Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
Table 3-5. Conventional Memory Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15
Table 3-6. Upper Memory Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15
Table 3-7. I/O Memory Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16
Table 4-1. Option Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Table 4-2. Dell Diagnostics Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10
Table 4-3. RAM Test Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
Table 5-1. Help Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Table 5-2. International Dialing Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Table 5-3. Dell Contact Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Table A-1. Technical Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-1
Table B-1. Color Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-3
xxi
xxii
Chapter 1
Introduction
he Dell® Latitude® CP portable computer is an
T
expandable multimedia system designed around an
®
Intel
Pentium® microprocessor with MMX™ and
display
microphone
power button
keyboard
touch pad
battery bay
Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) technologies.
This chapter describes the major hardware and software
features of your computer.
display latch
status indicator panel
touch pad buttons
modular bay
Figure 1-1. Front View of the Computer
air intake
AC adapter connector
audio jacks (3)
speaker
Introduction 1-1
fan
parallel connector
USB connector
status indicator panel
docking connector
docking connector door
serial connector
monitor connector
PS/2 connector
infrared port
PC Card slot
hard-disk drive
Figure 1-2. Back View of the Computer
H
ardware Features
— Software wavetable support, Sound Blaster Pro-
compatible voice and music functions, and SRS
Your Dell computer has the following features:
•
A Pentium microprocessor running at 133, 166, or
233 megahertz (MHz) and a 12.1-inch super video
graphics array (SVGA) active-matrix color display
or a 13.3-inch extended graphics array (XGA)
(1024 x 768) active-matrix color display.
•
Full multimedia capability through the following
standard features:
— A CD-ROM drive that can be used in the modu-
lar bay. When you unpack your computer, look
for the CD-ROM drive in the accessories box of
the shipping carton.
— 128-bit hardware-accelerated video support,
with 2 megabytes (MB) of video memory.
— Support for a zoom video PC Card in the upper
PC Card connector.
•
•
3-D audio co ntrol.
— Three audio jacks for connecting external
speakers or headphones, a microphone, and a
record/playback device to your computer.
— Built-in microphone and two stereo speakers.
A modular bay that supports a CD-ROM drive,
diskette drive, or second battery. To make the computer as light as possible when you travel, use the
special travel module in the modular bay.
NOTE: Your computer was shipped with a diskette
drive in the modular bay. For information on removing the diskette drive and installing a CD-ROM
drive, battery, or travel module in the modular bay,
see the topic titled “Modular Bay” in the online
System User’s Guide
.
A 16- or 32-megabyte (MB) extended-data out
(EDO) memory module standard on the system
board. Memory can be increased up to 128 MB by
speaker
security cable slot
1-2 Dell Latitude CP Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
installing combinations of 16-, 32-, and 64-MB
3.3-volt (V) EDO small-outline, dual-inline memory
modules (SoDIMMs) in the two memory module
sockets on the system board.
•
A 256-kilobyte (KB) static random-access memory
(SRAM) external cache (also called level 2, or L2,
cache) on the Latitude CP M133ST and Latitude CP
M166ST . Th e Latitude CP M233S T and Latitude CP
M233XT have a 512-KB SRAM external cache.
Cache memory enhances the speed of many microprocessor operations by storing the most recently
accessed contents of system memory.
•
Two power conservation modes—suspend mode and
suspend-to-disk mode—which help you conserve battery
power . If the batteries run out of power , suspend-to-dis k
mode prevents data loss by copying all system data to the
hard-disk drive and turning off the computer .
•
Connectors for two 3.3-volt (V) or 5-V PC Cards.
The upper PC Card connector supports zoomed
video PC Cards.
NOTE: The PC Card controller supports the
CardBus standard for 32-bit data transfer on the
PC Card.
•
Hardware and software support for the Dell Latitude
C/Port Advanced Port Replicator (C/Port APR) and
the Dell Latitude C/Dock Expansion Station.
•
A touch-pad pointing device positioned for both leftand right-handed users. The left and right touch-pad
buttons mimic mouse buttons; you can also perform
many pointing functions by tapping the touch pad
itself. “Click and drag” buttonless functions are also
supported.
•
A lithium ion battery standard in the battery bay,
with support for a second battery in the modular bay.
ExpressCharge technology charges a single battery
in 1 hour (when the computer is off or in suspend
mode).
NOTE: The batteries are designed to work only with
Dell Latitude CP portable compu ters. Do not use
the batteries with other computers, and do not use
batteries from other computers with the Dell Latitude CP.
WARNING: Do not puncture or incinerate the
battery. When your battery no longer holds a
charge, call your local waste disposal agency or
environmental agency for advice on disposing
of the computer’s lithium ion battery. The lithium ion technology used in the battery is
significantly less ha zard ous to th e environment
than the lithium metal technology used in some
other batteries (such as watch batteries).
•
High-performance parallel and serial ports, and a
multipurpose Personal System/2 (PS/2) connector
for attaching external devices. There is also a monitor connector for attaching an external monitor to
your computer, and a USB connector that supports
standalone and hub devices.
•
An infrared port that permits file transfer without
using cable connections. The port is compatible with
the Infrared Data Association (IrDA) Standard 1.1
(Fast IR) and Standard 1.0 (Slow IR) for use with
external devices.
•
An integrated 16-bit audio controller that provides
sound functions and is Sound Bl aster P ro-compatible.
•
An automatic thermal management system that uses
a variable-speed fan and microprocessor speed
changes to keep the system running at the optimum
temperature.
The following software is included with your Dell
computer system:
•
The Microsoft® Windows® 95 or Windo ws NT® 4.0
or higher oper ating system is installed on your harddisk drive. For more information, see y our operating
system documentation.
•
The System Setup program lets you view and change
the system configuration. For more information,
search on “System Setup program” in the online Sys-
tem User’s Guide or see Chapter 2, “Customizing
System Features.”
•
The Program Diskette Maker, which allows you to
create program diskette sets of software that Dell
installed on your computer’s hard-disk drive.
•
Dell Diagnostics for evaluating the computer’s components and devices.
Introduction 1-3
NOTE: If Dell did not instal l an operating s ystem on your
hard-disk drive, the drivers, system utilities, and diagnostics are available separately from Dell. To order, see
Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for the appr opri ate telephone
number in your location.
Before turning on your computer for the first time, read
all license agreements that came with your computer.
When you turn on yo ur comp uter f or th e first time, if yo u
agree with the license terms, indicate your acceptance by
typing y when pr ompted by the computer . Then complete
the installation of your operating system.
Next, use the Program Diskette Maker in the Dell Accessories folder to create program diskette sets of your
installed software. A program diskette set contains the
complete software package on diskettes. These diskettes
can be used to reinstall or reconfigure the software.
A
vailable Options
As your computing requirements change, you can exte nd
your computer’s capabilities with the C/Port Advanced
Port Replicator or C/Dock Expansion Station. You can
also install a hard-disk drive of larger capacity, increase
system memory, and add functionality with PC Cards.
Dell offers the following devices and upgrade options:
•
C/Port APR and C/Dock Expansion Station
•
Additional bat t eries
•
External keyboards and a numeric keypad
•
External monitors
•
External pointing devices
•
External speakers, headphones, and microphones
•
Printers
•
Hard-disk drives
•
AC adapter
•
PC Cards
•
16-, 32-, and 64-MB memory modules
•
Carrying case
•
Air/auto adapter (for powering the computer from a
special outlet on an airplane or from the cigarette
lighter in a car)
Instructions for connecting or installing these options are
contained in the online System User’s Guide or are
included in the upgrade kit you receive from Dell.
A
ccessing Online Documentat ion
The online System User’s Guide installed on your hard-
disk drive contains information about the following
topics:
•
System features
•
Traveling with the computer
•
Customizing system features
•
Powering the computer and extending battery life
•
Using internal and external devices
•
Maintaining the system
•
Contacting Dell
The guide also contains a glossary of commonly used
computer terms and abbreviations.
To access this guide, select the System User’s
Guide icon in the Dell Accessories folder.
To print any screen from the online System
User’s Guide, display the screen you want and select
Print Topic from the File menu. To print pop-up windows, open the window, click the right touch -pad but to n,
and select Print Topic from the pop-up menu.
NOTE: If Dell did not install an operating system on your
hard-disk drive, or if you need to reinstall the online guide
and did not make a program diskette set, you can download
the online System User’s Guide from Dell’s World Wide
Web site at www.dell.com. Click the Service and Support
icon on Dell’s home page. From the product line menu,
select Latitude Notebooks and then Dell Latitude CP. Select
Technical Information and then select Documentation.
When prompted, save the file t o your hard-disk drive.
G
etting Help
If at any time you don’t underst and a procedure described
in this guide, or if your computer does not perform as
expected, Dell provides a number of tools to help you.
For more information on these help tools, see Chapter 5,
“Getting Help.”
1-4 Dell Latitude CP Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
Chapter 2
g
Using the System Setup Program
ach time you turn on your computer, it compares the
E
installed hardware with the system configuration information stored in NVRAM. If the system detects a
discrepancy, it generates an error message for each incorrect configuration se tti n g.
You can use the System Setup program as follows:
•
To set or change user-selectable features—for example, your password or power management features
•
T o veri fy inf ormation about yo ur computer’s current
configuration, such as the amount of system memory
For some setup options, you must reboot the computer
before any changes take ef fec t. Changes for other opt ions
take effect immediately.
NOTE: If you change an option that is activated by
rebooting, the System Setup program displays the setting
you selected rather than the setting currently in effect.
must
You
After you set up your computer, run the System Setup
program to familiarize yourself with your system
configuration information and optional settings. Dell recommends that you write down the information for future
reference.
If the computer is using the Microsoft Windows NT 4.0
operating system, you must use the System Setup pro-
gram to view and change your system configuration.
folder. See the topic titled “Dell Control Center” in the
online System User’s Guide for more information. The
Dell Control Center also contains detailed help that gives
you all the information you need to set options.
reboot for the new setting to take effect.
If the computer is using the Microsoft Windows 95 operating sys t em , yo u can also use
the Dell Control Center to view and change
the system configuration. Access the Dell
Control Center from the Dell Accessories
E
ntering the System Setup
Pro
Enter and use the System Setup program as follows:
If you are using Windows 95, press <Fn><F1> at any
time on the built-in keyboard (or <Scroll Lock><F1> on
an external keyboard if the External Hot Key option is
enabled). If you press <Fn><F3> (or <Scroll Lock><F3>
on an external keyboard if the External Hot Key option is
enabled), the System Setup program opens directly to the
battery status screen.
If you are using Windows NT 4.0 or any other operating
system that is not Plug and Play aware, close all open
application programs and exit the operating system.
When prompted, reboot the computer and press
<Fn><F1> (or <Scroll Lock><F1> from an external keyboard if the External Hot Key option is enabled). If you
wait too long and your operating system beg ins to load
into memory,
then shut down the system and try again.
In either operating system, press <Esc> to exit the System Setup program. If you change the setting of an option
that requires rebooting in order to take effect, exit the
operating system before rebooting. (The Help text in the
upper-right corner of System Setup screens 1, 2, and 4
tells you if the computer must be rebooted.)
NOTE: If the Sy stem Setup program is r unning when the
computer enters suspend mode, the computer exits the
System Setup program and then activates suspend mode.
U
The System Setup screens display the current setup and
configuration information and optional settings for your
ram
let the system complete the load operation
sing the System Setup Program
;
Using the System Setup Program 2-1
computer . Infor mation on the scre ens is organ ized in five
boxed areas:
•
Title
The box at the top of all screens lists the page num-
ber, the system name, and the version number of the
basic input/output system (BIOS).
•
Options
The box on the left half of screens 1, 2, and 4 lists
options that define the installed hardware in your
computer and the power conservation and security
features for your computer.
Fields next to the options contain settings or values.
You can change those values that appear bright on
the screen. Options or values that y ou can no t ch ange
(because they are determined or calculated by the
computer) appear less bright.
•
Help
The box on the upper-r ight half of s creens 1, 2, an d 4
displays help information for the option wit h a currently highlighted field.
•
Computer data
The box in the lower-right cor ner of scr eens 1, 2, and
4 displays information about your com puter.
•
Key functions
The line of boxes across the bottom of all screens
lists keys and their functions within the Sy stem
Setup program.
Table 2-1 lists the keys you use to view or change information on the System Setup screens and to exit the
program.
Table 2-1. System Setup Navigation Keys
Keys Action
Moves the cursor to the next
or
field or previous field.
Cycles through available set-
Alt
Esc
Suspend
or
P
tings for an option.
Cycles through the System
Setup pages.
Exits the System Setup program without rebooting the
computer and returns the system to its previous state. If you
changed options that do not
take effect immediatel y, the
changes are recorded but do
not take effect until you reboot
the computer.
Alt
F
Resets all values to their
defaults.
Production Note!!!
2-2 Dell Latitude CP Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
Page 1 of 4
options
title box
Dell Computer Corporation (www.dell.com)
Dell Latitude CP Setup
help
BIOS Version: AXX
Time: 13:17:02 Date: Fri Nov 7, 1997
Internal Hard Drive:
Diskette Drive A:
Diskette Drive B:
Diskette Reconfig:
Modular Bay:
Docking Status:
Universal Connect:
Boot Speed:
Boot Sequence:
2167 MB
Modular Bay
Not Installed
Any Time
Diskette Drive
Undocked
Enabled
166 MHz
Diskette First
change fields
key functions
Dell Computer Corporation (www.dell.com)
Page 2 of 4
Serial Port:
Infrared Data Port:
Infrared Mode:
Parallel Mode:
Audio Mode:
Click Volume:
Keyboard Click:
Dell Latitude CP Setup
COM1
COM3
Fast IR
ECP
Half Duplex
[|||||||]
Disabled
This category sets the time in 24hour format (hours:minutes:seconds)
for the internal clock/calendar.
To change the value in a field, enter
digits or use the left- or rightarrow key to decrease or increase the
value.
Microprocessor:
System Memory:
Video Memory:
External Cache:
Service Tag:
Asset Tag:
change values Esc exit
Alt-P page
Pentium-166/MMX
16 MB
2 MB
256 KB
XXXXX
XXXXX
computer information
BIOS Version: AXX
This category lets you avoid address
conflicts between serial devices by
allowing you to map the address of
the serial port or to disable the
port.
A change to this category takes
effect when you reboot.
Pointing Device:
External Hot Key:
IntelliSpin:
Touch Pad-PS/2 Mouse
Scroll Lock
Variable
************System Security************
Primary Password:
Admin Password:
change fields
Disabled
Disabled
change values Esc exit
Figure 2-1. Pages 1 and 2 of the System Setup Program
Microprocessor:
System Memory:
Video Memory:
External Cache:
Service Tag:
Asset Tag:
Alt-P page
Using the System Setup Program 2-3
Pentium-166/MMX
16 MB
2 MB
256 KB
XXXXX
XXXXX
Page 3 of 4
Dell Computer Corporation (www.dell.com)
Dell Latitude CP Setup
BIOS Version: A
XXXXX
Left Battery
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
100% Charged
Battery Status: Idle Battery Status: Not Installed
Additional batteries and other accessories are available from www.dell.com
Dell Computer Corporation (www.dell.com)
Page 4 of 4
********Power Management********
Power Management:
Display Time-Out:
Disk Time-Out:
Suspend Time-Out:
S2D Time-Out:
Smart CPU Mode:
Brightness:
Ring/Event Resume:
Alarm Resume:
Display Close:
BATTERY
Enabled
4 minutes
3 minute
10 minutes
8 hours
Enabled
[||||||||]
Enabled
Enabled
Suspend
Dell Latitude CP Setup
AC
Disabled
Disabled
Disabled
Disabled
Disabled
Disabled
[||||||]
Right Battery
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
Alt-P page
When set to DISABLED, this category
disables all power management features. The default setting is
ENABLED.
A change in this category takes
effect immediately.
Battery
Not
Installed
Esc exit
BIOS Version: A
Microprocessor:
System Memory:
Video Memory:
External Cache:
Service Tag:
Asset Tag:
Pentium-166/MMX
16 MB
2 MB
256 KB
XXXXX
XXXXX
XX
change fields
change values Esc exit
Figure 2-2. Pages 3 and 4 of the System Setup Program
2-4 Dell Latitude CP Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
Alt-P page
S
ystem Setup Options
The following subsections exp lain in detail the options
found in the System Setup program. The subsections are
alphabetized to make it easy for you to find the appropriate option.
AC
AC is one of the categories of Power Management. You
can set different time-outs for the following options when
you operate your computer from alternating current (AC)
power: Display Time-Out, Disk Time-Out, Suspend
Time-Out, S2D Time-Out, Smart CPU Mode, and
Brightness.
A change to the AC option takes effect immediately
(rebooting is not required).
Admin Password
Admin Password displays the current status of your
administrator password and allows you to assign or
change this password. Settings for this option are:
•
Disabled (the default) — Indicates that no administrator password is assigned
•
Enabled — Indicates that an administrator password
is currently assigned
The administrator password is designed fo r use by system administrators and service technicians in corporate
environments. If an administrator password is assigned,
you can use it to access the computer even if you do not
know the primary password.
CAUTION: The password features provide a high
level of security for the data in your computer.
However, they are not foolproof. If your data
requires more security, it is your respons ibility to
obtain and use additional f orms o f protection, such
as data encryption programs or PC Cards with
encryption features.
Alarm Resume
The Alarm Resume option directs the computer to
resume normal operati on wh en it i s in su spend mode and
detects an alarm from the real-time clock (RTC). Such
alarms can be set through various application programs.
In order for the alarms in these programs to work, the
Alarm Resume option must be set to Enabled.
Settings for this option are:
•
Enabled (the default) — Resumes normal operation
when the computer detects an alarm
•
Disabled — Keeps the computer in suspend mode
even if the computer detects an alarm
A change to the Alarm Resume option takes effect immediately (rebooting is not req uired).
Asset Tag
The Asset Tag option dis plays th e asset tag cod e if you or
your organization assigned one to your computer.
See the topic titled “Asset Tag Utility” in the online Sys-
tem User’s Guide for information on assigning an asset
tag code.
Audio Mode
Audio Mode helps you manage the resources of the computer and the external devices you use with it.
Settings for this option are:
•
Half Duplex (the default) — Allows you to play or
record sounds, but not both at the same time. Use
this setting if the Parallel Mode option is set to ECP
and the Infrared Mode option is set to Fast IR.
•
Disabled — Disables the audio controller and makes
the direct memory access (DMA), interrupt request
(IRQ), and input/output (I/O) resources available for
another serial device to use.
•
Full Duplex — Allows the computer’s audio system
to play and record sounds simultaneously.
For a change in the Audio Mode option to take effect,
you must reboot your computer.
NOTES: The Sys t em Setup program limits the options
available for Audio Mode, depen ding on how t he Parallel
Mode and Infrared Mode options are set. If Parallel
Mode is set to ECP and Infrared Mode is set to Fast IR,
the Audio Mode option cann ot be set to Full Duplex. This
limitation is based on the numbe r of available 8- bit DMA
channels.
Using the System Setup Program 2-5
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