Dell Inspiron 8200 - Manual (Page 50)

Unexpected Characters
Drive Problems
If you cannot save a file to a floppy disk drive
HINT: When you attach an external keyboard, the integrated keyboard remains fully functional.
Check the keyboard cable—
Shut down the computer. Disconnect the keyboard cable and check it for damage. For PS/2 cables, check the cable connector for bent or
broken pins. Firmly reconnect the cable.
If you are using a keyboard extension cable, disconnect it and connect the keyboard directly to the computer.
Check the external keyboard
1. Turn off the computer, wait 1 minute, and turn it on again.
2. Verify that the numbers, capitals, and scroll lock lights on the keyboard blink during the boot routine.
3. From the Windows® desktop, click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and click Notepad.
4. Type some characters on the external keyboard and verify that they appear on the display.
If you cannot verify these steps, you may have a defective external keyboard.
To verify that the problem is with the external keyboard, check the integrated keyboard
1. Turn off 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 click Notepad.
5. Type some characters on the integrated 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 external keyboard. Contact Dell (see
"Contacting Dell" in the Dell Owner's Manual that came with your computer).
Disable the numeric keypad— Press to disable the numeric keypad if numbers are displayed instead of letters. Verify that the
numbers lock light is not lit.
HINT: For information on saving files to a floppy disk, see the Tell Me How help file. To access the help file, see " Accessing Help ."
Ensure that Windows® recognizes the drive—
Click the Start button and click My Computer. If the drive is not listed, perform a full scan with your antivirus software to check for and
remove viruses. Viruses can sometimes prevent Windows from recognizing the drive. Insert a bootable disk and restart the computer. Verify
that the light is blinking, indicating normal operation.
Ensure that the disk is not write-protected— You cannot save data to a write-protected disk.
Try another floppy disk— Insert another disk to eliminate the possibility that the original disk is defective.
Reinstall the drive
1. Save and close any open files, exit any open programs, and shut down the computer.
2. If the drive is installed in the module bay, remove the drive.