CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
The computer does not start up
CH E C K T H E D I A G N O S T I C L I G H T S— See "Diagnostic Lights" on page 121.
EN SU R E T H A T T H E P O W ER C A B L E I S F I R M L Y CO N N EC T E D T O T H E C O M PU T E R A N D T O T H E E L E C T RI CA L O U T L E T
The computer stops responding
NOTICE: You may lose data if you are unable to perform an operating system shutdown.
TURN TH E CO M PU T E R O F F — If you are unable to get a response by pressing a key on your keyboard or moving your mouse, press and hold the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds (until the computer turns off), and then restart your computer.
A program stops responding EN D T H E P R O G R A M —
1Press <Ctrl><Shift><Esc> simultaneously to access the Task Manager.
2Click the Applications tab.
3Click to select the program that is no longer responding.
4Click End Task.
A program crashes repeatedly
NOTE: Most software includes installation instructions in its documentation or on a floppy disk, CD, or DVD.
CH E C K T H E S O F T WA RE D O C U M EN T A TI O N — If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program.
A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system RU N T H E PR O G R A M CO M P A T I B I L I T Y WI Z A RD —
Windows XP:
The Program Compatibility Wizard configures a program so that it runs in an environment similar to non-XP operating system environments.
1Click Start→All Programs→ Accessories→ Program Compatibility Wizard→ Next.
2Follow the instructions on the screen.
Windows Vista:
The Program Compatibility Wizard configures a program so that it runs in an environment similar to non-Windows Vista operating system environments.
1Click Start →Control Panel→ Programs→ Use an older program with this version of Windows.
2In the welcome screen, click Next.
3Follow the instructions on the screen.
A solid blue screen appears
TU RN T H E CO M P U T E R O F F — If you are unable to get a response by pressing a key on your keyboard or moving your mouse, press and hold the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds (until the computer turns off), and then restart your computer.
Other software problems
CH E C K T H E SO FT WAR E D O C U ME N T A T I O N O R C O N T A C T T H E S O F T W A RE M A NU F A C T U RE R F O R T R O U B L E S H O O T I N G I N F O R M A T I O N —
• Ensure that the program is compatible with the operating system installed on your computer.
• Ensure that your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements needed to run the software. See the software documentation for information.
• Ensure that the program is installed and configured properly. • Verify that the device drivers do not conflict with the program. • If necessary, uninstall and then reinstall the program.
BA C K U P YO UR F I L ES I MM E D I A T E L Y US E A V I R U S-SC A N N I N G P R O G R A M T O CHE C K T H E HA RD D R I V E, F L O P P Y D I S K S, CDS, O R DVDS SA V E A N D C L O S E A N Y O PE N F I L E S O R PR OG RAM S A N D SH UT D O W N Y O U R C O M P U T E R THRO UGH T H E ST A R T M E N U
Memory Problems
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
IF YOU R EC E I V E A N I N S U F F I C I E N T M E M O R Y ME S S A G E —
• Save and close any open files and exit any open programs you are not using to see if that resolves the problem.
• Reseat the memory modules (see "Memory" on page 187) to ensure that your computer is successfully communicating with the memory.
• Run the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 136).
IF YO U E X PE R I E N C E O T H E R M E M O RY P R O B L E M S—
• Reseat the memory modules (see "Memory" on page 187) to ensure that your computer is successfully communicating with the memory.
• Ensure that you are following the memory installation guidelines (see "Installing Memory" on page 190).
• Ensure that the memory you are using is supported by your computer. For more information about the type of memory supported by your computer, see "Memory" on page 187.
• Run the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 136).