Dell Inspiron 7500 Reference And Troubleshooting Guide

							support.dell.comBasic Troubleshooting3-27
5.Run the parallel printer’s self-test.
Does the self-test complete successfully?
Yes. Go to step 6.
No. The printer is probably defective. If you bought the printer from Dell, call Dell 
for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.) If you 
purchased the printer elsewhere, take it to one of the manufacturer’s authorized 
service centers for repair.
6.Attempt another print operation on the parallel printer.
Does the print operation complete successfully?
Yes. The problem is resolved.
No. Call Dell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for 
instructions.) Troubleshooting a Serial I/O Device
If the procedure titled “Troubleshooting the Basic I/O Functions” found earlier in this 
section indicates that the problem is with a device connected to one of the serial 
ports, perform the following steps: 
1.Exit any open application programs, and then turn off the computer and the serial 
device.
2.Swap the device’s interface cable with a known working cable.
3.Turn on the computer and the serial device.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. You probably need a new interface cable. Call Dell for technical assistance. 
(See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.)
No. Go to step 4.
4.Turn off the computer and the serial device and swap the device with a 
comparable working device.
For example, if your serial mouse has a problem, swap it with a serial mouse you 
know is working properly.
5.Turn on the computer and the serial device.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. You probably need a new device. Call Dell for technical assistance. (See 
Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.) 
No. Call Dell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for 
instructions.)  
						

							3-28Dell Inspiron 7500 System Reference and Troubleshooting GuideTroubleshooting the Infrared Port        
This section provides a procedure for troubleshooting the computer’s infrared (IR) 
port. 
Make a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found in Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” and fill it 
out as you perform the following steps:
1.Check the setting for the Infrared Port option in the System Devices menu of 
the Setup program. 
For information on the Setup program, see Chapter 2, “Customizing System 
Features.” Is the Infrared Port option set correctly for the external device with 
which you are communicating?
Yes. Go to step 3.
No. Go to step 2.
2.Change the Infrared Port option to the appropriate setting, and then reboot the 
computer.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. The problem is resolved.
No. Go to step 3.
3.Insert your diagnostics diskette into drive A, reboot the computer, and run the 
Serial Ports device group in the Dell Diagnostics. (See “Running the Dell 
Diagnostics” found later in this chapter.) The Serial/Infrared Ports device group 
checks the basic functions of the computer’s infrared logic.
4.Do the tests complete successfully?
Yes. The infrared port is functioning properly. There may be a problem with            
the infrared application program or with the external device. Check the 
documentation that came with the application program and with the external 
device.
No. Call Dell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for 
instructions.)Troubleshooting the Touch Pad        
Make a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found in Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” and fill it 
out as you perform the following steps:
1.Clean the touch pad with a soft cloth dampened with water (never use liquid or 
aerosol cleaners) and dry it thoroughly. 
						

							support.dell.comBasic Troubleshooting3-29
2.Do the tests complete successfully?
Yes. The controller is functioning properly. If the problem persists, call Dell for 
technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.)
No. Go to step 3.
3.Insert your diagnostics diskette into drive A, reboot the computer, and run the 
Mouse test in the Pointing Devices device group in the Dell Diagnostics. (See 
“Running the Dell Diagnostics” found later in this chapter.) The Mouse test 
checks the functionality of the mouse controller (which affects the ability to move 
the pointer around the screen) and the operation of the touch pad buttons.
4.Do the tests complete successfully?
Yes. The controller is functioning properly. If the problem persists, call Dell for 
technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.)
No. Call Dell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for 
instructions.)Troubleshooting Audio Functions        
Make a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found in Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” and fill it 
out as you perform the following steps:
1.Insert your diagnostics diskette into drive A, reboot the computer, and run the 
Misc. PCI Devices device group in the Dell Diagnostics. (See “Running the Dell 
Diagnostics” found later in this chapter.) The Misc. PCI Devices device group 
checks the functionality of the audio controller.
2.Do the tests complete successfully?
Yes. The controller is functioning properly. If the problem persists, call Dell for 
technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.)
No. Call Dell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for 
instructions.) Running the Dell Diagnostics
Whenever a major component or device in your computer does not function properly, 
run the Dell Diagnostics provided on the Dell Diagnostics Diskette to check your 
computers hardware. If you find a problem you cannot solve by yourself, the          
diagnostic tests can provide you with important information you will need when      
talking to Dells service and support personnel.NOTICE: Use the Dell Diagnostics to test only your Dell computer. Using this 
program with other computers may cause incorrect computer responses or 
result in error messages. 
						

							3-30Dell Inspiron 7500 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
The Dell Diagnostics provides a series of menus and options from which you choose 
particular device groups or subtests. You can also control the sequence in which the 
tests are run. The diagnostic device groups or subtests also have these helpful 
features: •
Options that let you run tests individually or collectively •
An option that allows you to choose the number of times a device group or 
subtest is repeated •
The ability to display or print out test results, or to save them in a file •
Options to temporarily suspend testing if an error is detected, or to terminate 
testing when an adjustable error limit is reached •
A Devices menu option that briefly describes each test and its parameters •
A Config menu option that describes the configuration of the devices in the 
selected device group •
Status messages that inform you whether device groups or subtests were 
completed successfully •
Error messages that appear if any problems are detected 
As long as the microprocessor and the input and output components of your 
computer (the display or display, keyboard, CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive, and diskette 
drive) are working, you can use the Dell Diagnostics. If you are experienced with   
computers and know what component(s) you need to test, select the appropriate 
diagnostic device group(s) or subtest(s). If you are unsure about how to begin         
diagnosing a problem, read the rest of this chapter.Starting the Dell Diagnostics
To start the diagnostics, perform the following steps: 
1.Turn off the computer.NOTICE: Before using the Dell Diagnostics Diskette, make sure to         
write-protect the diskette.
2.Insert the Dell Diagnostics Diskette into the diskette drive.
3.Turn on the computer.
4.When the boot screen appears, select 2 Start Computer with CD-ROM 
Support (Windows 98) or 1 EIDE Support (Windows NT).
5.Type diags32
 and press .
The DIAGNOSTICS MENU appears (see Figure 3-1). The menu allows you to run 
all or specific diagnostic tests or to exit to the MS-DOS prompt.
NOTE: Before you read the rest of this section, you may want to start the Dell 
Diagnostics so that you can see it on the screen. 
						

							support.dell.comBasic Troubleshooting3-31
For a quick check of your system, select Quickly Test All Devices. This option runs 
only the subtests that do not require user interaction and that do not take a long time 
to run. Dell recommends that you choose this option first to increase the odds of   
tracing the source of the problem quickly. For a thorough check of your system,    
select Fully Test All Devices. To check a particular area of your system, select    
Select Devices to Test.
To select an option from this menu, press the arrow keys to highlight the option and 
press , or press the key that corresponds to the highlighted letter in the 
option you choose.Figure 3-1.  Diagnostics Menu
Dell Diagnostics Main Screen
When you select Select Devices to Test from the DIAGNOSTICS MENU, the      
main screen of the diagnostics appears (see Figure 3-2). The main screen lists the          
diagnostic test device groups, lists the devices of the selected device group, and 
allows you to select options from a menu. From this screen, you can enter two other 
types of screens.
Information on the main screen of the diagnostics is presented in the following areas: •
Two lines at the top of the screen identify the version number of the Dell 
Diagnostics. •
On the left side of the screen, the Device Groups area lists the diagnostic device 
groups in the order they will run if you select All from the Run Tests menu. Press 
the up- or down-arrow key to highlight a device group. •
On the right side of the screen, the Devices for Highlighted Group area lists the 
devices to be tested for the selected device group. •
Two lines at the bottom of the screen are the menu area. The first line lists the 
menu options you can select; press the left- or right-arrow key to highlight a 
menu option. The second line gives information about the option currently 
highlighted.  
						

							3-32Dell Inspiron 7500 System Reference and Troubleshooting GuideFigure 3-2.  Dell Diagnostics Main Screen 
Do not be concerned if the Device Groups area does not list the names of all the 
components or devices you know are part of your computer. For example, you will not 
see a mouse listed, although you know one is attached to your computer. If you select 
the Pointing Devices device group, Mouse is listed under Devices for Highlighted 
Group. Similarly, you can test your printer connection through the Parallel Ports 
device group. Using the Dell Diagnostics
The online Help in the Dell Diagnostics provides instructions on how to use the        
program and explains each menu item, device group, subtest, and test and error 
result. To enter the Help menu, perform the following steps: 
1.Highlight Select Devices to Test in the DIAGNOSTICS MENU. 
2.Press . 
3.Press . 
The Help menu options are Menu, Keys, Device group, Device, Test, and Versions.   
The online Help also provides detailed descriptions of the devices that you are testing. 
The Help options are explained in the following subsections. Menu
Menu describes the main menu screen area, the device groups, and the different 
diagnostic menus and commands and provides instructions on how to use them.  
						

							support.dell.comBasic Troubleshooting3-33Keys
Keys explains the functions of all the keystrokes that can be used in the Dell 
Diagnostics.Device Group
Device Group describes the device group that is presently highlighted in the Device 
Groups list on the main menu screen. It also provides reasoning for using some 
tests. Device
Device is the educational section of the online Help. It describes the function          
and purpose of the highlighted device in the Device Groups area. For example,       
the following information appears when you select Device for Diskette in the    
Device Groups list:Diskette drive A:
The diskette disk drive device reads and writes data to and from diskettes. Diskettes 
are flexible recording media, sometimes contained in hard shells. Diskette recording 
capacities are small and access times are slow relative to hard disk drives, but they 
provide a convenient means of storing and transferring data.Test
Test provides a thorough explanation of the subtest highlighted for a selected device 
group. For example, the following description is provided for the Diskette Drive Seek 
Test: Diskette drive A: - Diskette Drive Seek Test
This test verifies the drives ability to position its read/write heads. The test operates 
in two passes: first, seeking from the beginning to ending cylinders inclusively, and 
second, seeking alternately from the beginning to ending cylinders with convergence 
towards the middle.Versions
Versions lists the version numbers of the subtests that are used by the Dell 
Diagnostics. 
						

							3-34Dell Inspiron 7500 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide 
						

							support.dell.comInstalling System Software4-1CHAPTER 4
Installing System Software
This document explains how to install/reinstall Dell device drivers and utilities on your 
Dell computer running the Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition operating system or 
the Microsoft Windows NT operating system. You may need to use this document 
under the following conditions:•
You are reinstalling the version of the Windows operating system that came with 
your computer, and you need to reinstall the drivers and utilities that Dell 
provides.•
You have a new hard-disk drive and you need to install all of the system software.Installing the Windows 98 Operating 
System
You must install Windows 98 on the hard-disk drive before you install any device 
drivers.
1.Insert the Microsoft Boot Disk Windows 98 Series diskette into the diskette 
drive.
2.Restart the computer.
3.When the Microsoft Windows 98 Startup menu appears, insert the Microsoft 
Windows 98 CD into the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
4.Select Start Windows 98 Setup from CD-ROM and press .
The Setup program runs ScanDisk to check your hard-disk drive. 
5.When the hard-disk drive check is completed, type x
 to exit ScanDisk.
6.Follow the prompts on your screen to continue with the installation.
7.When prompted to create a start-up diskette, remove the Microsoft Boot Disk 
Windows 98 Series diskette, and click Next>. 
						

							4-2Dell Inspiron 7500 System Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
8.Label a blank, high-density diskette as instructed, insert the diskette into the 
diskette drive, and then click OK.
9.Follow the prompts on your screen to complete the installation.Installing Drivers and Utilities for
Windows 98
This section explains how to install/reinstall device drivers and utilities on your Dell 
computer running the Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition operating system.
To install the system software, you need the following items:•
System Software CD•
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive installed in the media bay of the computer•
Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition CD•
Microsoft Boot Disk Windows 98 Series diskette
NOTE: Verify that Windows 98 is already installed on the hard-disk drive before you 
install any device drivers. For instructions, see the preceding section, “Installing the 
Windows 98 Operating System.”
The following subsections describe the installation instructions for the drivers and 
utilities that are provided on the System Software CD for use with a system running    
the Windows 98 operating system.Installing the Audio Driver
The audio driver allows you to customize the sound features of your computer. 
1.Save and close any open files, and exit any open application programs.
2.Insert the System Software CD into the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
3.If the Welcome to Windows 98 screen appears, click the x in the upper-right 
corner of the screen to close it and continue with the installation.
4.Click the Start button, and then click Run.
5.In the Run dialog box, type x:\win98\audio\setup.exe
, where x is the 
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive letter.
The CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive letter is usually D.
6.Click OK.
7.At the Welcome screen, click Next>. 
8.At the Main Menu, the Upgrade Drivers radio button is selected. Click Next>.
The audio files are copied to your hard-disk drive.