Dell Latitude XPi CD, Reference Manual

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Troubleshooting Your Computer 3-1
Chapter 3
Troubleshooting Your Computer
I
f your Dell computer is not working as expected, this
chapter provides both initial checks for solving basic
computer problems and detailed troubleshooting proce-
dures. It lists system messages and beep codes, their
possible causes, and actions you can take to resolve any
problems indicated by a message or code. This chapter
also offers some general guidelines for analyzing soft-
ware problems.
NOTE: When you see the question “Is the problem
resolved?” in a troubleshooting procedure, repeat the
operation that caused the problem to see if the problem
still occurs.
B
acking Up Your Files
You can lose data when a computer failure occurs. If your
computer is behaving erratically, back up your files
immediately. See your operating system documentation
for instructions on backing up files.
B
asic Checks
The following procedure leads you through the checks
necessary to solve some basic computer problems:
1. Is your computer wet or damaged?
Yes. Go to “Troubleshooting a Wet Computer” or
“Troubleshooting a Damaged Computer” found later
in this chapter.
No. Continue to step 2.
2. Perform the steps in the next subsection, “Check-
ing Connections.”
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. A connection to your computer was loose. You
have fixed the problem.
No. Continue to step 3.
3. Perform the steps in “Look and Listen” found
later in this chapter.
Did your computer complete the start-up (boot)
routine?
NOTE: The boot routine is the operating system’s
attempt to load its files into memory from the boot-
up sector on the hard-disk drive or bootable diskette.
Yes. Continue to step 4.
No. Call Dell for technical assistance. (See Chap-
ter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.)
4. Did you receive a system message or beep code?
A single beep always sounds during the boot routine
when the built-in sound ports or attached external
speakers are tested, unless the
SPEAKER VOLUME
option in the System Setup program is set to
OFF
. Any
system beep codes sound at high volume, even if the
SPEAKER VOLUME
option is set to
OFF
.
Yes. Go to “Messages and Codes” found later in this
chapter.
No. Continue to step 5.
5. Verify, and correct if necessary, the system setup
settings as explained in Chapter 2, “Customizing
System Features.”
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. The system configuration information was
incorrect. You have fixed the problem.
No. Continue to step 6.
6. Run the Dell diagnostics. (See Chapter 4, “Running
the Dell Diagnostics.”)