Dell Precision M2300 (Late 2007) - Manual (Page 89)

Hard drive problems
Allow the computer to cool before turning it on —
A hot hard drive may prevent the operating system from starting. Try allowing the computer to return to room temperature before turning it on.
Run Check Disk —
1. Click the Start button and click My Computer.
2. Right-click Local Disk C:.
3. Click Properties.
4. Click the Tools tab.
5. Under Error-checking, click Check Now.
6. Click Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors.
7. Click Start.
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems
Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist (see Diagnostics Checklist ) as you complete these checks.
Check the Microsoft Outlook® Express Security Settings —
If you cannot open your e-mail attachments:
1. In Outlook Express, click Tools, click Options, and then click Security.
2. Click Do not allow attachments to remove the checkmark.
Check the telephone line connection.
Check the telephone jack.
Connect the modem directly to the telephone wall jack.
Use a different telephone line —
l Verify that the telephone line is connected to the jack on the modem. (The jack has either a green label or a connector-shaped icon next to it.)
l Ensure that you hear a click when you insert the telephone line connector into the modem.
l Disconnect the telephone line from the modem and connect it to a telephone. Listen for a dial tone.
l If you have other telephone devices sharing the line, such as an answering machine, fax machine, surge protector, or line splitter, then bypass them
and connect the modem directly to the telephone wall jack. If you are using a line that is 3 m (10 ft) or more in length, try a shorter one.
Run the Modem Diagnostic Tool —
Click the Start button, point to All Programs and then click Modem Diagnostic Tool. Follow the instructions on the screen to identify and resolve modem
problems.
Verify that the modem is communicating with Windows —
1. Click the Start button and click Control Panel.
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
NOTE: Connect the modem to an analog telephone jack only. The modem does not operate while it is connected to a digital telephone network.