Dell Latitude 120L: BACK UP YOUR FILES IMMEDIATELY. Dell Diagnostics

BACK UP YOUR FILES IMMEDIATELY. Dell Diagnostics: Dell Latitude 120L

BACK UP YOUR FILES IMMEDIATELY.

U

SE A VIRUS-SCANNING PROGRAM TO CHECK THE HARD DRIVE, FLOPPY DISKS, OR CDS .

S

AVE AND CLOSE ANY OPEN FILES OR PROGRAMS AND SHUT DOWN YOUR COMPUTER THROUGH THE START

MENU.

S

CAN THE COMPUTER FOR SPYWARE If you are experiencing slow computer performance, you frequently

receive pop-up advertisements, or you are having problems connecting to the Internet, your computer

might be infected with spyware. Use an anti-virus program that includes anti-spyware protection (your

program may require an upgrade) to scan the computer and remove spyware. For more information, go to

support.dell.com and search for the keyword spyware.

RUN THE DELL DIAGNOSTICS See "Dell Diagnostics" on page 18. If all tests run successfully, the error

condition is related to a software problem.

Dell Diagnostics

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product

Information Guide.

When to Use the Dell Diagnostics

If you experience a problem with your computer, perform the checks in "Lockups and Software

Problems" on page 16 and run the Dell Diagnostics before you contact Dell for technical assistance.

It is recommended that you print these procedures before you begin.

NOTICE: The Dell Diagnostics works only on Dell™ computers.

NOTE: The Drivers and Utilities CD is optional and may not ship with your computer.

Start the Dell Diagnostics from either your hard drive or from the Drivers and Utilities CD (also known

as the ResourceCD).

Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive

The Dell Diagnostics is located on a hidden diagnostic utility partition on your hard drive.

NOTE: If your computer cannot display a screen image, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in your User’s Guide).

1

Shut down the computer.

2

If the computer is connected to a docking device (docked), undock it. See the documentation that

came with your docking device for instructions.

3

Connect the computer to an electrical outlet.

4

Diagnostics can be invoked one of two ways:

a

Turn on the computer. When the DELL™ logo appears, press <F12> immediately. Select

Diagnostics from the boot menu and press <Enter>.

NOTE: If you wait too long and the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the

®

®

Microsoft

Windows

desktop. Then shut down your computer and try again.

18 Quick Reference Guide