DellTM InspironTM 2500 Solutions Guide www.dell.com | support.dell.com Hints, Notices, and Cautions HINT: A HINT indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer. NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death. Abbreviations and Acronyms For a complete list of abbreviations and acronyms, see the Tell Me How help file. To access the help file, see page30. ____________________ Information in this document is subject to change without notice. ©2001DellComputerCorporation.Allrightsreserved. Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Computer Corporation is strictly forbidden. Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Inspiron , DellPlus, Dell TravelLite, Dell Precision, Dimension , OptiPlex , Latitude , Dell TrueMobile, and DellWare are trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation; Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks andCeleron is a trademark of Intel Corporation; Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Computer Corporation disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own. This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by method claims of certain U.S. patents and other intellectual property rights owned by Macrovision Corporation and other rights owners. Use of this copyright protection technology must be authorized by Macrovision Corporation, and is intended for home and other limited viewing uses only unless otherwise authorized by Macrovision Corporation. Reverse engineering or disassembly is prohibited. September 2001 P/N 4J175 Rev. A00 Contents Safety and EMC Instructions: Portable Computers Safety Instructions EMC Instructions . . . . . When Using Your Computer ........ 9 9 13 14 15 17 17 ....................... ................... ................... .................. ......... ......... Ergonomic Computing Habits When Removing or Installing Memory Modules Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge . . 1 Setting Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Connecting a Printer Parallel Printer USB Printer . ........................ 20 20 21 22 23 23 24 24 24 25 ......................... ......................... ................... Installing the Printer Driver Transferring Information to a New Computer (Windows® XP Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Setting Up a Home and Office Network (Windows XP Only) . . . . . . . . . . . Turning Off the Computer ........... .............. ..................... ................ Windows Me and Windows 2000 Using the Media Bay Swapping Devices ........................ ........................ Contents 3 2 Solving Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Finding Solutions Accessing Help Power Problems ......................... 28 30 31 32 32 32 33 34 34 34 35 35 36 38 40 40 40 41 41 41 42 42 43 43 44 .......................... .......................... ..................... .................... ................ ................ Start-Up Error Messages Video and Display Problems If the display is blank . . . . . If the display is difficult to read Sound and Speaker Problems Integrated Speakers External Speakers . Printer Problems ................... ...................... ...................... ......................... .......... .......... If you cannot print to a parallel port printer If you cannot print to a USB printer . . . . Modem Problems Scanner Problems ......................... ......................... ........................ ................... Touch Pad Problems External Keyboard Problems Unexpected Characters Drive Problems ...................... .......................... ............ If you cannot save a file to a floppy disk If you cannot play a music CD or install a program from a CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . If you cannot play a DVD movie . . . . . . . . . . If the CD-RW drive stops writing . If you have a hard drive problem Network Problems ...... ...... ............... ................ ......................... 4 Contents Microsoft ® Windows ® Error Messages General Program Problems A program crashes .............. 44 45 45 45 46 46 46 46 48 48 49 50 50 51 54 54 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 60 62 64 65 ..................... ....................... ................... .......... .......... A program stops responding A program error causes the system to lock up A solid blue screen appears . . . . . . . . . A program is designed for an earlier version of the Windows operating systems . . . . . . . . . . . . Internet Connection Problems E-Mail Problems ....... ................... .......................... .................... .............. If Your Computer Gets Wet If You Drop or Damage Your Computer Resolving Other Technical Problems Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities ................ .................. Reinstalling the Modem or Network Adapter Driver (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using the Windows XP Device Driver Rollback ....... ......... ....... Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Windows XP Windows Me .......................... .......................... ......................... ....................... .................... ...... ...... Windows 2000 Using System Restore Creating a Restore Point Restoring the Computer to an Earlier Operating State Undoing the Last System Restore . . . . . . . . . . Reinstalling Windows XP ...................... ..................... ..................... .................. Reinstalling Windows Me . Reinstalling Windows 2000 Enabling Hibernate Support . Contents 5 3 Adding Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Replacing the Palm Rest Inserts Adding Memory ................. 68 69 72 74 .......................... ...................... ................ Replacing a Hard Drive Returning a Hard Drive to Dell . 4 Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Specifications ........................... ......................... ..................... ..................... ............ .... .... 76 82 82 83 84 84 85 85 85 99 99 101 104 105 106 106 107 109 Standard Settings System Setup Screens Viewing Settings . . . Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only) Definition of "Dell-Installed" Software and Peripherals Definition of "Third-Party" Software and Peripherals . Contacting Dell .......................... ........ ........ Contact Numbers and Addresses . . . . . . . . Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit Regulatory Information ...................... .................... .................... ................ ....... FCC Notices (U.S. Only) Battery Disposal . . . . NOM Information (Mexico Only) Información para NOM (únicamente para México) Warranty and Return Policy Information ............. ............ .......... One-Year Limited Warranty (U.S. Only) One-Year Limited Warranty (Canada Only) . 6 Contents One-Year End-User Manufacturer Guarantee (Latin America and the Caribbean Only) . . . Guarantee . Exclusions .......... 111 111 112 112 113 .......................... .......................... ........................ .............. Making a Claim "Total Satisfaction" Return Policy (U.S. and Canada Only) . . . . . . Index .................................. 115 Contents 7 8 Contents Safety and EMC Instructions: Portable Computers The following information defines the meaning of additional symbols used only in the Safety and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Instructions. Risk of explosion Aircraft Risk of fire Use of this feature may be prohibited on aircraft Risk of electric shock Safety Instructions General · Do not attempt to service the computer yourself unless you are an authorized service technician. Always follow installation instructions closely. If you use an extension power cable with your AC adapter, ensure that the total ampere rating of the products plugged in to the extension power cable does not exceed the ampere rating of the extension cable. Do not push objects into air vents or openings of your computer. Doing so can cause fire or electric shock by shorting out interior components. Place the AC adapter in a ventilated area, such as a desk top or on the floor, when you use it to run the computer or to charge the battery. Do not cover the AC adapter with papers or other items that will reduce cooling; also, do not use the AC adapter inside a carrying case. · · · Safety and EMC Instructions: Portable Computers 9 w w w . d e ll . c o m | s u p p o r t .d el l . c o m · Do not allow your portable computer to operate with the base resting directly on exposed skin for extended periods of time. The surface temperature of the base will rise during normal operation (particularly when AC power is present). Allowing sustained contact with exposed skin can cause discomfort or, eventually, a burn. Do not use your computer in a wet environment, for example, near a bath tub, sink, or swimming pool or in a wet basement. If your computer includes an integrated or optional (PC Card) modem, disconnect the modem cable if an electrical storm is approaching to avoid the remote risk of electric shock from lightning via the telephone line. To help avoid the potential hazard of electric shock, do not connect or disconnect any cables or perform maintenance or reconfiguration of this product during an electrical storm. Do not use your computer during an electrical storm unless all cables have been disconnected and the computer is operating on battery power. If your computer includes a modem, the cable used with the modem should be manufactured with a minimum wire size of 26 American wire gauge (AWG) and an FCC-compliant RJ-11 modular plug. PC Cards may become very warm during normal operation. Use care when removing PC Cards after their continuous operation. Before you clean your computer, remove power. Clean your computer with a soft cloth dampened with water. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners, which may contain flammable substances. · · · · · · 10 Safety and EMC Instructions: Portable Computers Power (Safety Instructions, continued) · Use only the Dell-provided AC adapter approved for use with this computer. Use of another AC adapter may cause a fire or explosion. Before you connect the computer to an electrical outlet, check the AC adapter voltage rating to ensure that the required voltage and frequency match the available power source. To remove power from the computer, turn it off, remove the battery pack, and disconnect the AC adapter from the electrical outlet. To help prevent electric shock, plug the AC adapter and peripheral power cables into properly grounded power sources. These power cables may be equipped with three-prong plugs to provide an earth grounding connection. Do not use adapter plugs or remove the grounding prong from the power cable plug. If you use a power extension cable, use the appropriate type, twoprong or three-prong, to mate with the AC adapter power cable. Be sure that nothing rests on your AC adapter's power cable and that the cable is not located where it can be tripped over or stepped on. If you are using a multiple-outlet power strip, use caution when plugging the AC adapter's power cable into the power strip. Some power strips may allow you to insert the plug incorrectly. Incorrect insertion of the power plug could result in permanent damage to your computer, as well as risk of electric shock and/or fire. Ensure that the ground prong of the power plug is inserted into the mating ground contact of the power strip. · · · · · Safety and EMC Instructions: Portable Computers 11 w w w . d e ll . c o m | s u p p o r t .d el l . c o m Battery (Safety Instructions, continued) · Use only Dell battery modules that are approved for use with this computer. Use of other types may increase the risk of fire or explosion. Do not carry a battery pack in your pocket, purse, or other container where metal objects (such as car keys or paper clips) could short-circuit the battery terminals. The resulting excessive current flow can cause extremely high temperatures and may result in damage to the battery pack or cause fire or burns. The battery poses a burn hazard if you handle it improperly. Do not disassemble it. Handle a damaged or leaking battery pack with extreme care. If the battery is damaged, electrolyte may leak from the cells and may cause personal injury. Keep the battert away from children. Do not store or leave your computer or battery pack near a heat source such as a ra ...