Dell Inspiron 5000 Reference And Troubleshooting Guide

							support.dell.comTroubleshooting 2-13
Resolve Audio Problems

Use the volume control buttons on the left side of the computer to adjust the 
volume.
Run the
 Audio Controller test as described in “Running the Dell Diagnostics” 
found earlier in this chapter.
If you still have an audio problem, call Dell for technical assistance. See Chapter 4, 
“Getting Help,” for instructions.
Resolve CD-ROM or DVD-ROM Drive Problems
NOTE: Inconsistencies in the manufacturing of CD-ROM media may cause some high 
speed CD-ROM drives to vibrate more than others. This vibration and the associated 
noise does not indicate a defect in the drive or the CD.
Double-click the 
My 
Computer icon on your desktop and verify that the drive is 
recognized by the operating system. Most of the common boot sector viruses 
cause the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive to “disappear.” Use the virus-scanning 
software to check for and remove viruses.
Clean the disc using a commercially available cleaning kit.
Clean the drive using a commercially available cleaning kit.
Tr y another CD or DVD.
NOTE: Because of different DVD file types currently used in the industr y, not all 
DVD titles work in all DVD-ROM drives.
Enter the system setup program as described in Appendix B, “Using the System 
Setup Program,” and verify that 
IDE Controller is set to 
Both.
Run the
 IDE Devices tests as described in “Running the Dell Diagnostics” found 
earlier in this chapter.
Turn off the computer and remove the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive from the 
media bay. Replace the drive and turn on the computer.
If you still have a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive problem, call Dell for technical assis-
tance. See Chapter 4, “Getting Help,” for instructions.
Resolve Diskette Drive Problems

Ensure that the diskette is not write-protected if you are tr ying to copy data to it.
Tr y a different diskette in the drive. If the new diskette works, the original diskette 
may be defective.
Check the settings on the 
Diskette Options submenu of the system setup pro-
gram as described in Appendix B, “Using the System Setup Program.”
Run the 
Diskette tests as described in “Running the Dell Diagnostics” found ear-
lier in this chapter.
Clean the drive using a commercially available cleaning kit.
Restart the computer.
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If you still have a diskette drive problem, call Dell for technical assistance. See 
Chapter 4, “Getting Help,” for instructions.
NOTICE: Do not attempt to clean drive heads with a swab. You could acci-
dentally misalign the heads and render the drive inoperable.
Resolve Display Problems

If the display is blank, the computer may be in standby or hibernate (save-to-disk 
suspend) mode. To resume normal operations, press the power button.
Check the 
Video Display Device setting in the system setup program as 
described in Appendix B, “Using the System Setup Program.” To use the inte-
grated display on the computer, this option must be set to 
LCD Mode or 
Simul 
Mode.
NOTE: The operating system overrides the settings in the system setup program 
if the computer is in MS-DOS mode. 
Adjust brightness setting.
Run the 
VESA/VGA Interface tests as described in “Running the Dell Diagnos-
tics” found earlier in this chapter.
Restart the computer.
If you still have a display problem, call Dell for technical assistance. See Chapter 4, 
“Getting Help,” for instructions.
Resolve External Monitor Problems

If the display is blank, the computer may be in standby or hibernate (save-to-disk 
suspend) mode. To resume normal operations, press the power button.
Ensure that the video cable is firmly attached to the video connector on the back 
of the computer and that the monitor power cable is plugged into a functional 
electrical outlet.
Check the 
Video Display Device setting in the system setup program as 
described in Appendix B, “Using the System Setup Program.” To use an external 
monitor, this option must be set to 
CRT Mode or 
Simul Mode.
NOTE: The operating system overrides the settings in the system setup program 
if the computer is in MS-DOS mode. 
Adjust brightness and contrast settings.
Run the 
VESA/VGA Interface tests as described in “Running the Dell 
Diagnostics” found earlier in this chapter.
Restart the computer.
If you still have an external monitor problem, call Dell for technical assistance. See 
Chapter 4, “Getting Help,” for instructions.
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							support.dell.comTroubleshooting 2-15
NOTE: If your computer is connected to the TV-out connector on your television and 
there is no picture on your television screen, see “Resolve Television Problems” 
found later in this chapter. 
Resolve External Keyboard Problems
NOTE: External Universal Serial Bus (USB) keyboards only function when 
Windows 98 Second Edition is running. Use the integrated keyboard when you use 
the Dell Diagnostics, the system setup program, or you are working in the MS-DOS 
mode.
Disconnect the keyboard cable from the computer and check the cable connector 
for bent or broken pins.
Run the 
PC-AT Compatible Keyboards tests as described in “Running the Dell 
Diagnostics” found earlier in this chapter.
Restart the computer.
If you still have a an external keyboard problem, call Dell for technical assistance. See 
Chapter 4, “Getting Help,” for instructions.
Resolve Hard-Disk Drive Problems

Run the ScanDisk utility: click the 
Start button, point to 
Programs—>
Accessories—> System 
Tools, and then click 
ScanDisk.
Run the
 IDE Devices tests as described in “Running the Dell Diagnostics” found 
earlier in this chapter.
Check the setting on the 
IDE 
Controller submenu of the system setup program 
as described in Appendix B, “Using the System Setup Program.”
If you still have a hard-disk drive problem, call Dell for technical assistance. See 
Chapter 4, “Getting Help,” for instructions.
Resolve Hardware Conflicts
Hardware conflicts occur if the device is detected by the operating system but is con-
figured incorrectly. To check for conflicts, perform the following steps:
1. C l i c k  t h e  
Start button, point to 
Settings, and click 
Control 
Pa n el. 
2. In the 
Control 
Pa n el, double-click 
System.
 
3. Click the 
Device 
Manager tab.
Conflicts are indicated in the 
Device 
Manager list by a yellow exclamation point 
(
!) beside the conflicting device. A red X beside a device indicates that the device 
is disabled in the current hardware profile.
If a hardware conflict exists, the 
Device status area in the 
Properties window 
shows the conflicting expansion cards or devices.
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To resolve conflicts, you can use the Windows Hardware Conflict Troubleshooter.
1. C l i c k  t h e  
Start button and then click 
Help. 
2. Click the 
Contents tab and then double-click 
Troubleshooting.
3. Double-click 
If you have a hardware 
conflict and follow the instructions on the 
screen.
Resolve Infrared Port Problems
To configure the infrared port, perform the following steps:
1. C l i c k  t h e  
Start button, click 
Settings, and then click 
Control Panel.
2. Double-click the 
System icon. 
3. Click the 
Device Manager tab. 
4. If you previously attempted to configure the infrared port, remove all device list-
ings that refer to 
Infrared or 
Virtual Devices in the following categories:
Infrared devices
Network adapters
Po rts  ( C O M & L P T)
Click the entry you wish to remove and then click 
Remove.
5. If you remove a device, when prompted, ensure that 
Yes, I want to restart my 
computer now is selected, and then click 
Finish.
The computer restarts automatically.
NOTE: If you have not attempted to configure the infrared port, the infrared and 
virtual entries will not be listed in the 
Device Manager. If you do not need to 
remove a device, restart the computer and continue with the next step.
6. When you see the Dell
 logo, press  to enter the system setup program.
7. Press the right-arrow key to highlight the 
System Devices menu item.
8. Press the down-arrow key to highlight 
Infrared Port and then press  to 
change the setting to 
Customized.
9. Press the down-arrow key to highlight 
Mode and press  to change the set-
ting to 
SIR or 
FIR. Refer to the documentation of the infrared device that you are 
trying to communicate with to determine the correct setting.
If you set the 
Mode setting to 
SIN, the 
Base I/O address/IRQ setting automati-
cally changes to 
2F8 IRQ3.
If you set the 
Mode setting to 
FIR, the 
Base I/O address/IRQ setting automati-
cally changes to 
2F8 IRQ3 and the 
DMA channel setting changes to 
0.
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							support.dell.comTroubleshooting 2-17
NOTE: If the 
SIR or 
FIR setting causes a conflict with another device, a yellow 
asterisk appears to the right of the 
Infrared Port setting. To resolve the conflict, 
press the  or  key to select another 
Base I/O address/IRQ or 
DMA 
setting.
10. Press  to save your changes and exit the system setup program.
11. When the 
Setup Confirmation screen appears, press  to confirm that 
you want to save the configuration changes and exit the system setup program.
The computer restarts automatically. During the restart, the infrared hardware is 
detected by the operating system.
12. In the 
Systems Settings Change window, click 
Ye s to restart the computer.
13 . C l i ck  t h e  
Start button, point to 
Settings,
 and then click 
Control Panel.
14. Double-click the 
Infrared icon. 
15 . C l i ck  t h e  
Options tab. 
16. Ensure that the following options are checked:
Enable infrared communication.
Search for and provide status for devices within range.
Install software for Plug and Play devices within range.
17. C l i ck  
Apply and then click 
OK.
18. Tr y communicating with your external infrared device.
If you still have an infrared port problem, call Dell for technical assistance. See 
Chapter 4, “Getting Help,” for instructions.
Resolve Memory Problems

If an insufficient memory message appears, save and close any open files and 
exit any open application programs not in use.
Consider installing additional system memory.
Run the 
System Memory test as described in “Running the Dell Diagnostics” 
found earlier in this chapter.
Reseat the memor y modules. Refer to “Installing Memor y Modules” in 
Chapter 1.
Restart the computer.
If you still have a memor y problem, call Dell for technical assistance. See Chapter 4, 
“Getting Help,” for instructions.
NOTE: When you install additional memory and restart your computer, a 
Wa rn i n g dia-
log box appears on your screen stating that you must recreate the hibernate file. To 
recreate the hibernate file, see “Recreating the Hibernate (Save-to-Disk Suspend) 
File” in Chapter 3.
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							2-18 Dell Inspiron 5000 Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
Resolve Modem, Fax, and Internet Connection Problems
NOTICE: Connect the modem to an analog line only. Connecting your 
modem to a nonanalog line, such as a digital or private branch exchange 
(PBX) line, will cause damage.
NOTE: If you can connect to your Internet ser vice provider (ISP) and send or receive a 
fax, your modem is functioning properly. If you are sure that your modem is working 
properly and you still experience problems connecting to your ISP, contact the ISP 
technical support department for assistance.
Ensure that you have touchtone telephone ser vice.
If you have call-waiting service, disable call-waiting. Refer to your local telephone 
directory or call your telephone service provider for information on temporarily 
disabling call-waiting.
If you have voice mail service, you may hear an irregular dial tone when you have 
messages. Contact your telephone ser vice provider for information on restoring a 
normal dial tone.
If you have any other telephone devices plugged into this line, such as answering 
machines, dedicated fax machines, or line splitters, bypass them and plug the 
modem cable directly into the telephone connector on the wall.
Reseat the cable connections.
Try a different cable; if you are using a cable that is 10 feet or more in length, try a 
shorter one.
Disconnect the cable from the modem and plug it directly into a telephone. 
Listen for a dial tone.
Line noise can cause low connection speeds. If you have persistent problems, try 
connecting the modem to a different telephone connector. You may also wish to 
contact your telephone company to report the problem.
If you still have problems with a Dell-provided modem, call Dell for technical assis-
tance. See Chapter 4, “Getting Help,” for instructions. If you have problems with a 
non-Dell-provided modem, call the modem manufacturer.
Resolve PC Card Problems

Ensure that the PC Card is properly inserted into the connector.
Ensure that the card is recognized by the Windows operating system:
1. C l i c k  t h e  
Start button, point to 
Settings, and then click 
Control Panel.
2. Double-click the 
PC Card (PCMCIA) icon.
3. Ensure that the card is listed in the 
PC Card (PCMCIA) Properties window.
If you still have problems with a Dell-provided PC Card, call Dell for technical assis-
tance. See Chapter 4, “Getting Help,” for instructions. If you have problems with a 
non-Dell-provided PC Card, call the card manufacturer.
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							support.dell.comTroubleshooting 2-19
Resolve Software Problems
Software problems can result from the following circumstances:
Improper installation or configuration of an application program
Input errors
Drivers that may conflict with certain application programs
Memory conflicts
You can confirm that a problem is software-related by running the 
System Board 
Devices tests as described in “Running the Dell Diagnostics” found earlier in this 
chapter. If all tests in the device group run successfully, the error condition may be 
related to a software problem.
NOTE: For detailed troubleshooting information on a particular application program, 
see the software documentation or contact the software manufacturer.
Install and Configure Software
Before installing additional software, ensure that the application program is 
compatible with Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition or Microsoft Windows 2000 
(depending on the operating system software installed in your computer) and that 
your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements needed to run the 
software.
Before installing software on your hard-disk drive, use a virus-scanning application pro-
gram to check the diskettes or CDs for viruses. Viruses can quickly use all available 
system memory, damage and/or destroy data stored on the hard-disk drive, and per-
manently affect the performance of the application programs they infect.
Software usually includes installation instructions in its accompanying documentation 
and a software setup program (usually called 
setup.exe or 
install.exe,) on a diskette 
or CD.
Resolve Touch Pad and Mouse Problems

If you are using a PS/2 or USB mouse, ensure that the connector is firmly 
attached.
If you are using the touch pad or a PS/2 mouse, run the 
Pointing Devices test as 
described in “Running the Dell Diagnostics” found earlier in this chapter.
Reinstall the touch pad driver. For instructions, see “Install the Touch Pad Driver” 
in Chapter 3.
NOTE: Be sure to refer to the section specific to your operating system.
Restart the computer.
If you still have a touch pad or mouse problem, call Dell for technical assistance. See 
Chapter 4, “Getting Help,” for instructions.
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Resolve Television Problems
If your television is connected to the TV-out connector on your computer and there is 
no picture on your television screen, verify the following connections and settings:
A composite video cable is connected to the S-video
 connector on your television 
and the TV-out
 connector on your computer.
NOTE: If your television did not come with a composite video cable, you can pur-
chase one from a local electronics store.
Television Type in the system setup program is set to the correct video standard 
for your countr y. 
Television Port is 
Enabled in the system setup program.
Check the Television Type Setting
1. Save and close any open files, and exit any open application programs.
2. Shut down your computer.
3. Connect a composite video cable to the TV-out connector on your computer and 
the S-video
 connector on your television.
4. Turn on your television.
5. Restart your computer.
6. Click the 
Start button, point to 
Settings, and click 
Control Panel. 
7. Double-click the 
Display icon
.
8. Click the 
Settings tab. 
9. Click the 
Advanced button.
10 . C l i ck  t h e  
TV button.
11. Set the television type to 
NTSC (US) or 
PA L  (Europe).
Check the System Setup Program Settings
1. C l i c k  t h e  
Start button, and select 
Shut Down.
2. In the 
Shut Down window, select 
Restart the Computer.
3. Click 
Ye s.
Your computer shuts down and restarts.
4. When you see the Dell
 logo, press
  to enter the system setup program.
The system setup program screen appears.
5. Press the right- or left-arrow key to select the 
Main menu.
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6. Press the down-arrow key to scroll down to 
Te l e v i s i o n  Ty p e. 
Either 
NTSC or 
PA L is highlighted.
7. To change your selection, press .
NOTE: The function key tasks may be different for your particular system setup 
program. Be sure to check the function key menu at the bottom of your system 
setup screen.
8. To save your selection, press .
The 
Setup Confirmation window appears.
9. Select 
Ye s and press .
The computer shuts down and restarts.
NOTE: For more information on connecting a television to your computer, see 
“Connecting External Devices” in the Dell Inspiron 5000 System Help.
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