Dell laptop troubleshooting

The power cable, AC adapter cable, and power cables may get frayed or cut, and wires may become exposed at either end of the cables. This may be due to the way the cable is wrapped around the AC adapter, or if the cable is subject to undue stress. If the damage is severe enough to expose wires, you should discontinue using the power cable or AC adapter. To check the power cable, AC adapter, cables, and the power port on the desktop or all-in-one for any damages:

1. Unplug the power cable or AC adapter from the wall outlet.
2. Unplug the power cable or AC adapter from the computer.
3. Check the power cable or AC adapter and cables (including the power cable) for signs of physical damage or overheating.
4. Check if the pin inside the plug or adapter port is bent, broken, or damaged.

CAUTION: Dell recommends using the Dell-branded AC adapter that was shipped with the all-in-one computer. Dell does not recommend using third-party AC adapters.

WARNING: Grasp or hold the plug and not the cable while disconnecting the power cable or cables.

WARNING: Dell AC adapter for the all-in-one computer works with electrical outlets worldwide. However, power connectors or power strips may vary among different countries.

CAUTION: If the power cable, AC adapter or cables are damaged, discontinue using the power cable or AC adapter immediately.

If you notice a damage, contact Dell Technical Support for repair options. If you do not find any damage, go to the next step.

If your computer's air vents become clogged with lint and dust, use a can of compressed air to clean them off and restore airflow. Inadequate airflow can cause your computer's processor, memory (RAM), and other internal hardware to overheat and potentially fail. Excessive heat can also significantly decrease performance, as most processors automatically reduce their speed to prevent overheating. If you notice the computer fan running constantly, this might indicate that your computer's air vents are clogged.

CAUTION: Turn off your computer and disconnect the power cable or AC adapter before using compressed air to clean your computer. Follow the instructions on the side of the compressed air can, as using compressed air incorrectly can damage your computer.

CAUTION: Do not try to blow the dust using your mouth. Moisture can cause irreparable damage to electronic or electrical components.

CAUTION: Do not use vacuum cleaners or blowers. Vacuum cleaners and blowers cause static and may damage electronic or electrical components inside your computer.

Duration: 02:00
Closed captions: Available in multiple languages. Click the Closed Caption icon and select the language that you want.

1. Turn off the computer.
2. Check the air vents on the computer for dust or debris.
   Vents may be located in various places depending on the computer model. See the User Manual of your Dell computer.
3. Use a can of compressed air to remove dust or debris from the air vents.

NOTE: To prevent overheating, keep the computer in an upright position and on a hard or sturdy surface, and provide adequate clearance around the air vents.

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Upgrade the computer memory (RAM).

Generally, most computers are capable of memory (RAM) upgrades. Before you consider upgrading the memory (RAM) on your Dell computer, we recommend that you verify how much memory (RAM) is installed on your Dell computer and the maximum amount of memory (RAM) that your Dell computer can support. To learn more about computer configuration and memory specifications of your Dell computer, see the User Manual on the Dell Support website.

NOTE: Some Dell Ultrabook laptops have integrated memory (RAM) and hence cannot be replaced or upgraded.

 

NOTE: Before purchasing memory (RAM) modules, verify the type of memory that can be used with your Dell computer, the maximum amount of memory (RAM) and the number of memory modules that your Dell computer can support.

To purchase upgrade components for your Dell computer, go to the Dell website.

To learn more, see the Dell knowledge base article How to Upgrade Memory in Your Computer.

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Upgrade hard disk drive to Solid State Drive (SSD).

Conventional hard disk drives have moving components and hence have lower read or write speeds compared to solid state drives (SSD). A solid state drive uses flash memory and can read or write data much faster and uses less power, in turn, extends laptop battery life. Upgrading to a solid state drive can provide significant improvement in performance.

Things to consider before upgrading the hard disk drive on your Dell computer:

• Form factor - Hard disk drives come in two form factors: 3.5-inch drive - used on desktop computers and 2.5-inch drive - used on laptops.
• Connector - What type of connector is available on your computer? IDE or S-ATA (Serial ATA) connector (SATA-I, SATA-II, or SATA-III connector).
• Capacity - What is the maximum hard disk drive capacity that is supported by your computer?

NOTE: Before purchasing a Solid State Drive (SSD), verify that your Dell computer can support an SSD hard disk drive.

To purchase upgrade components for your Dell computer, go to the Dell website.

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Check to see if one or more same issues occur in Safe Mode

Safe mode prevents noncrucial applications and device drivers from loading, which helps eliminate software as a cause of slow performance.

NOTE: Display resolution in Safe Mode is automatically set to 800 x 600 and the icons and text appear larger than normal. The desktop background wallpaper is disabled in Safe Mode. This is normal behavior and does not require troubleshooting. All the visual settings return to normal when the computer is rebooted into regular mode.

 

WARNING: When you log in to Safe Mode (in this case, Safe Mode with Networking), your anti-virus or anti-malware program will be disabled. Please use caution when connected to a network or the Internet while your anti-virus is disabled.

To learn how to boot your computer into Safe Mode, see the links below based on the operating system that is installed on your computer.

If the issue does not exist in Safe Mode, the issue is likely related to a device driver or software. Ensure to update the device drivers and install any software updates that may be available for your computer including Microsoft Windows Updates.

However, if the issue still exists in Safe Mode, go to the next step.

Duration: 0:40
Closed captions: Available in multiple languages. Click the Closed Caption icon and select the language that you want.

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Limit startup programs

Many applications or software that is run in the computer tray, or also called notification area. These applications usually launch during startup and stay running in the background but remain hidden. Preventing these applications from launching during startup will not only speed up the login process but also save a lot of memory (RAM) and processing power to improve the performance of your computer.

WARNING: It is recommended that you do not disable the anti-virus or anti-malware program or application from loading during startup. Disabling the anti-virus or anti-malware program may make your computer vulnerable to malware infection.

NOTE: You must be logged in as a user with administrator rights on your computer to disable startup programs.

1. Close all open windows.
2. Press CTRL + Shift + ESC key together on the keyboard.
3. In the Task Manager window, click the Startup tab.
4. Select the program or application that you want to disable from loading during startup.
5. Right-click and select Disable.
6. Repeat Step 4 & 5 for all the programs or applications that you want to disable from loading during startup.
7. Restart your computer.

1. Close all open windows.
2. Click the Start button. In the search box, type msconfig, and in the list of results, right-click msconfig and select Run as administrator.
3. In the System Configuration window, click the Startup tab.
4. Clear the programs or applications that you want to disable from loading during startup and click OK.
5. In the confirmation window, check Do not show this message again and click Restart.

If disabling startup programs does not resolve the issue, it is most likely that your operating system is corrupt and you must reinstall the operating system. See the Restore the computer to factory defaults section in the Troubleshooting Steps.

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If the power indications are normal, but there is never any video that is seen on the computer's display during the startup process? This probably indicates a No Video issue.

NOTE: For Desktop computers - Remember that the monitor has a separate power supply. Make sure the monitor has a power LED indicator showing that it is powered on.

 

NOTE: Certain Dell All-in-One PCs can be connected to an external monitor via VGA, HDMI, or DisplayPort connectors. This feature may vary across different models. Refer to the User Manual of your Dell PC.

Troubleshooting a No Video issue:

Problem Description

Suggested Resolution

The desktop computer is in a normal on condition. The diagnostic lights are not lit after the computer successfully boots to the operating system but there is no display showing.

Ensure that the display is connected to the correct port and powered on. Ensure that the display data cable is not damaged and replace if necessary. Ensure that the correct Input Source on the display is correctly selected. Remove the data cable from the system. A Self-Test box should appear on the display. If the Self-Test box does not appear on the display, replace the display with a verified working unit. If there is still no display showing, check if video was shown during the POST routine. If video was shown during POST, the display or graphics driver could be the cause. Restart the system into Safe Mode. To load Safe Mode, press and hold the F8 key as your system restarts. This loads the Advanced Boot Menu. Select Safe Mode. Install the current versions of the display and graphics card drivers. Restart the system, and check for video. If available, replace the graphics card with a verified working card. If both graphics card and monitor work ok on another PC, then contact technical support to resolve the problem.

NOTE: For Notebooks, press and hold the key and then press the power button. This starts the preboot testing and will launch the ePSA diagnostics. The ePSA's will test your video with a series of patterns.

Duration: 01:46
Closed captions: English only

If they look fine, but you want to test more? You can respond to the video test by pressing the letter and ePSA will then launch the LCD BIST test. If you have a no video issue? You can either run the keyboard shortcut to enter the ePSAs or keyboard shortcut to run the LCD BIST from POST.

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Closed captions: English only

 

NOTE: Two new diagnostic BIST tests have been built into the Dell family of notebooks, starting with the Latitude XX90 generation of systems.

 

M-BIST - Built-in Motherboard Self-Test tool	L-BIST - Built-in LCD Power Rail Self-Test tool.
Evaluates the health of the motherboard	Checks if the motherboard supplies power to the LCD.
M-BIST is designed to operate even if there is no video, no fan, or no hard drive spin-up (new mainboard diagnostic). These symptoms are typically described as No Power, No Video, or Dead System.	L-BIST is designed to test when seeing the symptom of No Video.
Press and hold the M key and the Power button down simultaneously: If an error is detected the Battery status LED lights up Amber and you need to contact us If the Battery status LED does not light up, then no fault is detected with the motherboard	Press and hold the Power button down: If there is no display and an error is detected. The Battery status LED will flash 2 x Amber and 8 x White, and you need to contact us If there is no display and the Battery status LED does not light up, then no fault is detected with the motherboard