Personal Computer User Manual
Table Of Contents
- Contents
- Finding Information
- Setting Up and Using Your Computer
- Front View of the Computer
- Back View of the Computer
- Installing Your Computer in an Enclosure
- Setting Up a Printer
- Playing CDs and DVDs
- Copying CDs and DVDs
- Using a Media Card Reader (Optional)
- Connecting Two Monitors
- Power Management Options in Windows XP
- Power Management Options in Windows Vista
- Enabling SpeedStep™ Technology
- About RAID Configurations
- Transferring Information to a New Computer
- Setting Up a Home and Office Network
- Connecting to the Internet
- Solving Problems
- Troubleshooting Tips
- Battery Problems
- Drive Problems
- E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems
- Error Messages
- Keyboard Problems
- Lockups and Software Problems
- Media Card Reader Problems
- Memory Problems
- Mouse Problems
- Network Problems
- Power Problems
- Printer Problems
- Scanner Problems
- Sound and Speaker Problems
- Video and Monitor Problems
- Troubleshooting Tools
- Removing and Installing Parts
- Appendix
- Glossary
- Index

Troubleshooting Tools 87
5
When the tests are complete, close the test screen to return to the
Main
Menu
screen. To exit the Dell Diagnostics and restart the computer, close
the
Main
Menu
screen.
6
Remove the
Drivers and Utilities
media (if applicable).
Drivers
What Is a Driver?
A driver is a program that controls a device such as a printer, mouse, or
keyboard. All devices require a driver program.
A driver acts like a translator between the device and any other programs that
use the device. Each device has its own set of specialized commands that only
its driver recognizes.
Dell ships your computer to you with required drivers already installed—no
further installation or configuration is needed.
NOTICE: The Drivers and Utilities media may contain drivers for operating systems
that are not on your computer. Ensure that you are installing software appropriate
for your operating system.
Many drivers, such as the keyboard driver, come with your Microsoft
Windows operating system. You may need to install drivers if you:
• Upgrade your operating system.
• Reinstall your operating system.
• Connect or install a new device.
Configuration Displays your hardware configuration for the selected device.
The Dell Diagnostics obtains configuration information for
all devices from system setup, memory, and various internal
tests, and it displays the information in the device list in the
left pane of the screen. The device list may not display the
names of all the components installed on your computer or
all devices attached to your computer.
Parameters Allows you to customize the test by changing the test settings.
Tab Function










