Dell Inspiron 4100 - Manual (Page 48)

Scanner Problems
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems
External Keyboard Problems
Unexpected Characters
Windows 2000
1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Phone and Modem Options.
If there are multiple entries for the same modem or modems listed that are not installed, delete the entries and restart the computer.
3. Click the Modems tab.
4. Click the COM port for your modem.
5. Click the Properties button.
6. Click the Diagnostics tab to verify that the modem is communicating with Windows.
If all commands receive responses, the modem is operating properly.
Check the power cable connection— Ensure that the scanner power cable is firmly connected to a working electrical power source and that
the scanner is turned on. If the device is plugged into a surge protector, try plugging it directly into an electrical outlet.
Check the scanner cable connection— Ensure that the scanner cable is firmly connected to the computer and to the scanner.
Unlock the scanner— Ensure that your scanner is unlocked if it has a locking tab or button.
Reinstall the scanner driver— See the scanner documentation for instructions.
Check the touch pad settings— Click the Start button, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click the Mouse icon. Try
adjusting the settings.
Check the mouse cable— Shut down the computer. Disconnect the mouse 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 mouse extension cable, disconnect it and connect the mouse
directly to the computer.
To verify that the problem is with the mouse, check the touch pad
1. Turn off the computer.
2. Disconnect the mouse.
3. Turn on the computer.
4. At the Windows® desktop, use the touch pad to move the cursor around, select an icon, and open it.
If the touch pad operates correctly, the mouse may be defective.
Reinstall the touch pad driver— See " Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities ."
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.