Dell Precision 490: Caring for Your Computer Solving Problems Troubleshooting Tips Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities
Caring for Your Computer Solving Problems Troubleshooting Tips Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities: Dell Precision 490
Table of contents
- Notes, Notices, and Cautions Abbreviations and Acronyms
- Contents
- Finding Information What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- Setting Up Your Computer (Tower Orientation) Connect the keyboard and the mouse. Connect the modem or the network cable.
- Connect the monitor.
- For single- and dual-monitor capable cards with a single connector
- For dual-monitor capable cards with one DVI connector and one VGA connector For dual-monitor capable cards with two DVI connectors
- Connect the speakers. Connect the power cables and turn on the computer and monitor.
- Install additional software or devices. Setting Up Your Computer (Desktop Orientation) Connect the keyboard and the mouse.
- Connect the modem or the network cable. Connect the monitor.
- For single- and dual-monitor capable cards with a single connector
- For dual-monitor capable cards with one DVI connector and one VGA connector For dual-monitor capable cards with two DVI connectors
- Connect the speakers. Connect the power cables and turn on the computer and monitor. Install additional software or devices.
- About Your Computer Front View (Tower Orientation) 5 IEEE 1394 connector (optional)
- 13 diagnostic lights (4) Use these lights to help you troubleshoot a computer problem based on the
- Back View (Tower Orientation)
- Back Panel Connectors 4 link integrity light
- 11 serial connector Connect a serial device, such as a handheld device, to the serial port. If necessary,
- Front View (Desktop Orientation)
- Back View (Desktop Orientation)
- Inside View
- Inside View – Hard Drive Bay Rotated Out
- System Board Components
- 14 SATA connectors (SATA_4, SATA_3) Cable Colors Locating Your User’s Guide
- Removing the Computer Cover Follow the procedures in "Before You Begin" in your If you have installed a security cable, remove it from the security cable slot. Lay your computer on a flat surface with the cover facing up.
- Pull back the cover latch release. Locate the three hinge tabs on the edge of the computer. Grip the sides of the computer cover and pivot the cover up, using the hinges as leverage points. Release the cover from the hinge tabs and set it aside in a secure location.
- Caring for Your Computer Solving Problems Troubleshooting Tips Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities
- Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore Creating a Restore Point Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State
- Undoing the Last System Restore Enabling System Restore Using the Last Known Good Configuration Other Options to Help Resolve Additional Device or Software Conflicts
- Dell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell Diagnostics Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive
- Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities CD Before You Start Testing Beep Codes
- Code Cause
- Error Messages Diagnostic Lights Diagnostic Light Codes Before POST Diagnostic Lights Power Problem Description Suggested Resolution Light
- Diagnostic Lights Power Problem Description Suggested Resolution Light
- Diagnostic Lights Power Problem Description Suggested Resolution Light Diagnostic Light Codes During POST Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
- Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
- Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
- Frequently Asked Questions How Do I... Solution Where to Find Additional Information
- How Do I... Solution Where to Find Additional Information
- Index
- 46 Index
Caring for Your Computer
To help maintain your computer, follow these suggestions:
• To avoid losing or corrupting data, never turn off your computer when the hard drive light is on.
• Schedule regular virus scans using virus software.
• Manage hard drive space by periodically deleting unnecessary files and defragmenting the drive.
• Back up files on a regular basis.
• Periodically clean your monitor screen, mouse, and keyboard (see your
User’s Guide
for more information).
Solving Problems
Troubleshooting Tips
Perform the following checks when you troubleshoot your computer:
• If you added or removed a part before the problem started, review the installation procedures
and ensure that the part is correctly installed.
• If a peripheral device does not work, ensure that the device is properly connected.
• If an error message appears on the screen, write down the exact message. The message may help
technical support personnel diagnose and fix the problem(s).
• If an error message occurs in a program, see the program’s documentation.
• If the recommended action in the troubleshooting section is to see a section in your
User’s Guide
,
go to
support.dell.com
(on another computer if necessary) to access your
User’s Guide.
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities
If a device is either not detected during the operating system setup or is detected but incorrectly configured,
you can use the Hardware Troubleshooter to resolve the incompatibility.
To resolve incompatibilities using the Hardware Troubleshooter:
1
Click the
Start
button and click
Help and Support
.
2
Ty p e
hardware troubleshooter
in the
Search
field and click the arrow to start the search.
3
Click
Hardware Troubleshooter
in the
Search Results
list.
4
In the
Hardware Troubleshooter
list, click
I need to resolve a hardware conflict on my computer
,
and click
Next
.
32 Quick Reference Guide
