Dell Troubleshooting tips

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CAUTION: Do not attempt to open the computer, if you are not a certified Dell technician, it can void the 3-year warranty.

Overview

This section provides troubleshooting procedures for your computer. Before you start any of the procedures in this section, do the following:

Troubleshooting the Monitor

This procedure determines what kind of monitor problem you have.  If when you start the computer system or the monitor does not operate as expected, perform the following seps in the order indicated until the problem is resolved:

Troubleshooting the Keyboard

This procedure determines what kind of keyboard problem you have.  If a system error message indicates a keyboard problem when you start the computer system or the keyboard does not operate as expected, perform the following seps in the order indicated until the problem is resolved:

1. If the keyboard or its cable shows signs of physical damage or if specific keys do not work, replace the keyboard with a working keyboard and fill out the tag to ARS the bad keyboard. Notify staff.   See the instructions for  filling out an ARS
2. If there is no response at all to the keyboard, try unplugging and reinserting the plug into the back of the computer.
3. Restart the computer.
4. If the new keyboard fails to work, the system board may be bad.  Notify staff.   See the instructions for  filling out an ARS.

This procedure determines what kind of mouse problem you have.  If a system error message indicates a mouse problem when you start the computer system or the mouse does not operate as expected, perform the following steps in the order indicated until the problem is resolved:

1. Clean the mouse.
   Most mice have a ball that can be removed and cleaned of debris by turning the mouse upside down and removing a cover on the bottom of the mouse.  Also remove any lint or other debris that has accumulated on the bottom of the mouse.
2. If the mouse or its cable shows signs of physical damage or if the buttons do not work, replace the mouse with a working mouse and fill out the tag to ARS the bad mouse. Notify staff.   See the instructions for  filling out an ARS
3. If there is no response at all to the mouse, try unplugging and reinserting the plug into the back of the computer.
4. Restart the computer.
5. If the mouse fails to work, the system board may be bad.  Notify staff.  See the instructions for  filling out an ARS.

If an error message indicates a problem with the battery or if System Setup loses the system configuration information when the computer is turned off, the battery may be defective.  Try correcting the configuration in the System Setup and saving the changes.  Turn the computer off and leave it off for several minutes.  Turn the computer back on and check the System Setup to see if your changes were saved.  If not, you may have a bad battery.Notify staff.   See the instructions for  filling out an ARS

If an error message indicates an expansion-card problem or if an expansion card seems to perform incorrectly or not at all, the problem could be a faulty connection, a conflict with software or other hardware, or a faulty expansion card. Notify staff.   See the instructions for  filling out an ARS

Troubleshooting System Memory

A computer memory problem can be a faulty dual in-line memory module (DIMM) or a faulty system board. If a random-access memory (RAM) error message appears, the computer probably has a memory problem.

When you turn on or reboot the system, the Caps Lock and Scroll Lock indicators on the keyboard should flash momentarily and then turn off. If the Num Lock option in System Setup is set to On, the Num Lock indicator should flash momentarily and then remain on; otherwise, it should turn off. Abnormal operation of these indicators can result from a defective DIMM in socket A.

Check the System Setup for the appropriate amount of RAM.

Notify staff.   See the instructions for  filling out an ARS

Troubleshooting video problems involves determining which of the following is the source of the problem: the monitor, the monitor interface cable, or the integrated video subsystem.

Before attempting to troubleshoot the video subsystem, perform the procedure found in "Troubleshooting the Monitor" to determine whether the monitor is the source of the problem.

If the monitor is not at fault, perform the following steps:

If any of the above attempts fail, notfy staff.  See the instructions for filling out an ARS.

A system board problem can result from a defective system board component, a faulty power supply, or a defective component connected to the system board. If an error message indicates a system board problem, perform the following steps:

1. Insert the Dell ResourceCD into the appropriate drive, reboot the system, and run the System Board Devices test group in the Dell Diagnostics.
2. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect all AC power cables from their electrical outlets. Also disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer. Reconnect the keyboard, mouse, video, and power cables and turn on. If no error appears, turn off the computer and reconnect the peripherals one-at-a-time, turning on the computer after connecting each one.
3. Perform the procedure in "Troubleshooting the Keyboard.";
4. If the problem is still not resolved, see the instructions for filling out an ARS.

If the monitor displays a system error message to indicate a drive problem during execution of either the boot routine or the Dell Diagnostics or if a drive is not operating correctly, perform the following steps:

1. Check to make sure there are no disks in the floppy drive.  If a disk is found, remove and press any key to restart the boot process. 
2. If the error recurrs or there is no disk, enter System Setup, and verify that the problem drive is configured correctly. Make any necessary changes, and reboot the system.
3. If the problem is not resolved, turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect all AC power cables from their electrical outlets. Also disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the computer.  Try restarting the computer.

If the error continues, notify staff.  See the instructions for filling out an ARS, and report the exact error message on the ARS.

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