Dell Inspiron 3000 Reference And Troubleshooting Manual

Also see for Inspiron 3200: Installing Utilities and Drivers Service manual User guide Specifications

Contents

Dell Inspiron 3000 Reference And Troubleshooting Manual Manual pdf 63 page image

Troubleshooting Your Computer 3-213. Check the contents of your initialization andstart-up files. (See “Installing and ConfiguringSoftware” found earlier in this chapter.)Are the port configuration commands correct?Yes. Go to step 5.No. Go to step 4.4. Change the necessary statements in the start-upfiles.If the port problem is confined to a particular appli-cation program, see the application program’sdocumentation for specific port configurationrequirements.Is the problem resolved?Yes. The problem is resolved.No. Go to step 5.5. Insert your diagnostics diskette into drive A,reboot the computer, and run the Serial/InfraredPorts test group and/or the Parallel Ports testgroup in the Dell Diagnostics. (See Chapter 4,“Running the Dell Diagnostics.”)The Serial/Infrared Ports test group and the ParallelPorts test group check the basic functions of the sys-tem board’s I/O port logic. Also, if a parallel printeris connected to the parallel port, the Parallel Portstest group tests the communication link between thesystem board’s I/O port logic and the printer.Do the tests complete successfully?Yes. Go to step 6.No. Call Dell for technical assistance. (See Chap-ter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.)6. If the problem persists, go to “Troubleshooting aParallel Printer” or “Troubleshooting a SerialI/O Device” found later in this chapter.Troubleshooting a Parallel PrinterIf the preceding procedure, “Troubleshooting the BasicI/O Functions,” indicates that the problem is with a paral-lel printer, use the following procedure:1. Turn off the parallel printer and computer.2. Swap the parallel printer’s interface cable with aknown working cable.3. Turn on the parallel printer and computer.4. Attempt a print operation on the parallel printer.Does the print operation complete successfully?Yes. You probably need a new interface cable. CallDell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Get-ting Help,” for instructions.)No. Go to step 5.5. Run the parallel printer’s self-test.Does the self-test complete successfully?Yes. Go to step 6.No. The printer is probably defective. If you boughtthe printer from Dell, call Dell for technical assis-tance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” forinstructions.) If you purchased the printer elsewhere,take it to one of the manufacturer’s authorized ser-vice centers for repair.6. Attempt another print operation on the parallelprinter.Does the print operation complete successfully?Yes. The problem is resolved.No. Call Dell for technical assistance. (See Chap-ter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.)Troubleshooting a Serial I/O DeviceIf the procedure titled “Troubleshooting the Basic I/OFunctions” found earlier in this section indicates that theproblem is with a device connected to one of the serialports, use the following procedure:1. Save any open application programs, and thenturn off the computer and the serial device.2. Swap the device’s interface cable with a knownworking cable.3. Turn on the computer and the serial device.Is the problem resolved?Yes. You probably need a new interface cable. CallDell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Get-ting Help,” for instructions.)No. Go to step 4.55899BK1.BK : 55899c31.fm Page 21 Wednesday, February 4, 1998 1:20 PM