Dell Precision 350 - Manual (Page 12)

A driver acts like a translator between the device and the programs that use the device. Each device has its own set of specialized commands that only its
driver recognizes.
Many drivers, such as the keyboard driver, come with your Microsoft® Windows® operating system. You may need to install drivers if:
l You upgrade your operating system.
l You reinstall your operating system.
l You connect or install a new device.
If you experience a problem with any device, perform the steps in the following sections to identify whether the driver is the source of your problem and if
necessary, to update the driver.
Identifying Drivers
Windows XP
1. Click the Start button and click Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel window, under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance.
3. In the Performance and Maintenance window, click System.
4. In the System Properties window, click the Hardware tab.
5. Click Device Manager.
6. In the Device Manager window, scroll down the list to see if any device has an exclamation point (a yellow circle with a [!]) on the device icon.
If an exclamation point is next to the device name, you may need to reinstall the driver or install a new driver.
Windows 2000
1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel window, double-click System.
3. In the System Properties window, click the Hardware tab.
4. Click Device Manager.
5. In the Device Manager window, scroll down the list to see if any device has an exclamation point (a yellow circle with a [!]) on the device icon.
If an exclamation point is next to the device name, you may need to reinstall the driver or install a new driver.
Reinstalling Drivers
1. Insert the Drivers and Utilities CD into the CD drive.
If this is your first time to use the Drivers and Utilities CD, the Installation window opens to inform you that the CD will begin the installation. Click OK,
and respond to the installation program prompts to complete the installation.
2. Click Next at the Welcome Dell System Owner screen.
3. Choose the appropriate selections for System Model, Operating System, Device Type, and Topic.
4. Click My Drivers in the Topic drop-down menu.
The Drivers and Utilities CD scans your computer's hardware and operating system and then displays a list of device drivers for your system
configuration.
5. Click the appropriate driver and follow the instructions to download the driver for your computer.
To view a list of all available drivers for your computer, click Drivers in the Topic drop-down menu.
To access the Dell Drivers and Utilities CD Guide, click User's Guides in the Topic drop-down menu, and then click Dell Precision ResourceCD.
Using System Restore
The Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system provides System Restore to allow you to return your computer to an earlier operating state (without affecting
data files) if changes to the hardware, software, or other system settings have left the computer in an undesirable operating state. See Windows Help for
information on using System Restore.
Creating a Restore Point
1. Click the Start button.
2. Click Help and Support.
NOTE: To access device drivers and user documentation, you must use the ResourceCD while your computer is running Windows.
NOTICE: Make regular backups of your data files. System Restore does not monitor your data files or recover them.