DELL inspiron 4100 User Manual

							Solving Problems: Dell Inspiron 4150 
Adjust the Power Properties — Your computer may be in standby or 
hibernate mode. For information on power management modes, see the Tell 
Me How help file, or search for the keyword standby or hibernate in the 
Windows XP Help and Support Center (see 
Accessing Help).
Switch the video image — If your computer is attached to an external 
monitor, press 
  to switch the video image to the display.
If the display is difficult to read 
Adjust the brightness — See the Tell Me How help file for instructions on 
adjusting the brightness (see 
Accessing Help).
Move the subwoofer away from the computer or monitor — If your 
external speaker system includes a subwoofer, ensure that the subwoofer \
is 
at least 60 cm (2 ft) away from the computer or external monitor.
Eliminate possible interference — Turn off nearby fans, fluorescent 
lights, halogen lamps, or other appliances.
Rotate the computer to face a different direction — Eliminate sunlight 
glare, which can cause poor picture quality.
Adjust the Windows display settings —  1.  Click the Start button and then click Control Panel. 
2.  Click Appearance and Themes. 
3.  Click the area you want to change or click the Display icon. 
4.  Try different settings for Color quality and Screen resolution. 
See Error Messages — If an error message appears, see 
Error 
Messages.
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							Solving Problems: Dell Inspiron 4150 
If 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 your Owners Manual for contact 
information.
Sound and Speaker Problems
If you have a problem with integrated speakers 
Adjust the Windows® volume control — Double-click the speaker icon 
in the lower-right corner of your screen. Ensure that the volume is turn\
ed 
up and that the sound is not muted. Adjust the volume, bass, or treble 
controls to eliminate distortion.
Adjust the volume using keyboard shortcuts — Press 
  to 
disable (mute) or reenable the integrated speakers.
Reinstall the sound (audio) driver — See 
Reinstalling Drivers and 
Utilities.
If you have a problem with external speakers 
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							Solving Problems: Dell Inspiron 4150 
HINT: The volume control in some MP3 players overrides the Windows volume 
setting. If you have been listening to MP3 songs, make sure that you did\
 not 
turn the player volume down or off. 
Check the speaker cable connections — See the setup diagram supplied 
with the speakers.
Test the electrical outlet — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by 
testing it with another device, such as a lamp.
Ensure that the speakers are turned on — See the setup diagram 
supplied with the speakers.
Adjust the Windows volume control — 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. Adjust the volume, bass, or treble cont\
rols 
to eliminate distortion.
Test the speakers — Plug the speaker audio cable into the line-out 
connector on the computer. Ensure that the headphone volume control is 
turned up. Play a music CD.
Run the speaker self-test — Some speaker systems have a self-test 
button on the subwoofer. See the speaker documentation for self-test 
instructions. 
Eliminate possible interference — Turn off nearby fans, fluorescent 
lights, or halogen lamps to check for interference.
Reinstall the sound (audio) driver — See 
Reinstalling Drivers and 
Utilities.
Printer Problems
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							Solving Problems: Dell Inspiron 4150 
Check the printer cable connections — Ensure that the printer cable is 
properly connected to the computer.
Test the electrical outlet — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by 
testing it with another device, such as a lamp.
Ensure that the printer is turned on — See the documentation supplied 
with the printer.
Verify that Windows® recognizes the printer — 1.  Click the Start button and then click Control Panel. 
2.  Click Printers and Other Hardware. 
3.  Click View installed printers or fax printers. If the printer model is  listed, right-click the printer icon. 
4.  Click Properties, and then click the Ports tab. Ensure that the Print 
to the following port(s): setting is LPT1 (Printer Port). 
Reinstall the printer driver — See 
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities.
Modem and Internet Connection Problems
NOTICE: Connect the modem to an analog telephone wall jack only. Connecting 
the modem to a digital telephone network damages the modem. 
NOTICE: Modem and network connectors look similar. Do not plug a telephone 
line into the network connector. 
HINT: If you can connect to your Internet service provider (ISP), your modem\
 
is functioning properly. If you are sure that your modem is working prop\
erly and 
you still experience problems, contact your ISP. 
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							Solving Problems: Dell Inspiron 4150 
Check the telephone wall jack — Disconnect the telephone line from the 
modem and connect it to a telephone. Listen for a dial tone. Ensure that\
 
you have touch tone telephone service. Try connecting the modem to a 
different telephone wall jack.
Slow connection speeds can be caused by telephone noise as well as by 
telephone line or network conditions. Contact your telephone company or \
network administrator for more information.
Connect the modem directly to the telephone wall jack — If you have 
other telephone devices sharing the line, such as an answering machine, \
fax machine, surge protector, or line splitter, then bypass them and use\
 the 
telephone line to connect the modem directly to the telephone wall jack.\
Check the connection — Verify that the telephone line is connected to the 
modem.
Check the telephone line — Try using a different telephone line. If you 
are using a line that is 3 m (10 ft) or more in length, try a shorter \
one.
Irregular dial tone — If you have voice mail service, you might hear an 
irregular dial tone when you have messages. Contact your telephone 
company for instructions on restoring a dial tone.
Turn off call waiting (catch-phone) — See your telephone directory for 
instructions on deactivating this feature. Then adjust the dial-up netwo\
rking 
connection properties.1.  Click the Start button and click Control Panel. 
2.  Click Printers and Other Hardware, click Phone and Modem  Options, click the Dialing Rules tab, and then click Edit.... 
3.  In the Edit Location window, ensure that To disable call waiting,  dial: is checked, and then select the proper code as listed in your 
telephone directory. 
4.  Click Apply and click OK. 
5.  Close the Phone and Modems Options window. 
6.  Close the Control Panel window. 
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							Solving Problems: Dell Inspiron 4150 
Verify that the modem is communicating with Windows — 1.  Click the Start button and click Control Panel. 
2.  Click Printers and Other Hardware and click Phone and Modem  Options. 
3.  Click the Modems tab. 
4.  Click the COM port for your modem. 
5.  Click Properties, click the Diagnostics tab, and then click Query  Modem to verify that the modem is communicating with Windows. 
If all commands receive responses, the modem is operating properly.
Scanner Problems
Check the power cable connection — Ensure that the scanner power 
cable is firmly connected to a working electrical outlet and that the sc\
anner 
is turned on.
Check the scanner cable connection — Ensure that the scanner cable is 
firmly connected to the computer and to the scanner.
Unlock the scanner — Ensure that your scanner is unlocked if it has a 
locking tab or button.
Reinstall the scanner driver — See the scanner documentation for 
instructions.
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems
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							Solving Problems: Dell Inspiron 4150 
Check the touch pad settings — 1.  Click the Start button, click Control Panel, and then click Printers  and Other Hardware. 
2.  Click Mouse. 
3.  Try adjusting the settings. 
Check the mouse cable — Shut down the computer. Disconnect the 
mouse cable and check it for damage. For PS/2 cables, check the cable 
connector for bent or broken pins. 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 desktop, use the touch pad to move the cursor  around, select an icon, and open it. 
If the touch pad operates correctly, the mouse may be defective.
Reinstall the touch pad driver — See 
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities.
External Keyboard Problems
HINT: When you attach an external keyboard, the integrated keyboard remains 
fully functional. 
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							Solving Problems: Dell Inspiron 4150 
Check the keyboard cable — Shut down the computer. Disconnect the 
keyboard cable and check it for damage. For PS/2 cables, check the cable\
 
connector for bent or broken pins. Firmly reconnect the cable.
If you are using a keyboard extension cable, disconnect it and connect t\
he 
keyboard directly to the computer.
Check the external keyboard — 1.  Shut down the computer, wait 1 minute, and turn it on again. 
2.  Verify that the numbers, capitals, and scroll lock lights on the  keyboard blink during the boot routine. 
3.  From the Windows® desktop, click the Start button, point to 
Programs, point to Accessories, and click Notepad. 
4.  Type some characters on the external keyboard and verify that they  appear on the display. 
If you cannot verify these steps, you may have a defective external 
keyboard. 
To verify that the problem is with the external keyboard, check the 
integrated keyboard — 
1.  Shut down the computer. 
2.  Disconnect the external keyboard. 
3.  Turn on the computer. 
4.  From the Windows desktop, click the Start button, point to  Programs, point to Accessories, and click Notepad. 
5.  Type some characters on the external keyboard and verify that they  appear on the display. 
If the characters appear now but did not with the external keyboard, you\
 
may have a defective external keyboard. Contact Dell. See your Owners 
Manual for contact information.
Unexpected Characters
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							Solving Problems: Dell Inspiron 4150 
Disable the numeric keypad — Press  to disable the numeric 
keypad if numbers are displayed instead of letters. Verify that the numb\
ers 
lock light is not lit.
Drive Problems
HINT: For information on saving files to a floppy disk, see the Tell Me How help 
file (see 
Accessing Help). 
If you cannot save a file to a floppy disk drive 
Ensure that Windows® recognizes the drive — Click the Start button 
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. Insert a bootable \
disk and restart the computer. Verify that the 
 light is blinking, 
indicating normal operation.
Ensure that the disk is not write-protected — You cannot save data to 
a write-protected disk.
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							Solving Problems: Dell Inspiron 4150 
 
Try another floppy disk — Insert another disk to eliminate the possibility 
that the original disk is defective.
Reinstall the drive — 
1.  Save and close any open files, exit any open programs, and shut  down the computer. 
2.  Remove the drive from the module bay. 
3.  Reinstall the drive. 
4.  Turn on the computer. 
Clean the drive — See Cleaning Your Computer in the Tell Me How help 
file for instructions (see 
Accessing Help).
If you cannot play a CD, CD-RW, or DVD 
HINT: Because of different worldwide file types, not all DVD titles work in al\
l 
DVD drives. 
High-speed CD drive vibration is normal and may cause noise. This noise \
does not 
indicate a defect with the drive or the CD.
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