Solving Problems 63Unexpected CharactersLockups and Software ProblemsCAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in theProduct Information Guide.The computer does not start upThe computer stops respondingNOTICE: You might lose data if you are unable to perform an operating system shutdown.TO V E R I F Y T H A T T H E P R O B L E M I S W I T H T H E E X T E R N A L K E Y B O A R D , C H E C K T H E I N T E G R A T E DK E Y B O A R D —1 Shut down the computer.2 Disconnect the external keyboard.3 Turn on the computer.4 From the Windows desktop, click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and clickNotepad.5 Type some characters on the external keyboard and verify that they appear on the display.If the characters appear now but did not with the external keyboard, you may have a defective externalkeyboard. Contact Dell (see page 101).DI S A B L E T H E N U M E R I C K E Y P A D — Press to disable the numeric keypad if numbers aredisplayed instead of letters. Verify that the numbers lock light is not lit.EN S U R E T H A T T H E AC A D A P T E R I S FI R M L Y C O N N E C T E D T O TH E CO M P U T E R A N D T O TH EEL E C T R I C A L OU T L E TTU R N T H E C O M P U T E R O F F — If you are unable to get a response by pressing a key on your keyboard ormoving your mouse, press and hold the power button for at least 8 to 10 seconds until the computerturns off. Then restart your computer.
