How to Use Dell™ Network Assistant to Troubleshoot a Network Connection

Summary for "How to Use Dell™ Network Assistant to Troubleshoot a Network Connection"

This article contains information about Dell Network Assistant and describes how to use Dell Network Assistant to troubleshoot and repair a network connection. Dell Network Assistant is a diagnostic tool that is used to help manage a network and its devices. This tool can be used for most wired and wireless home and small office network environments and for connections to the Internet.

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Overview of Dell Network Assistant


Dell Network Assistant helps simplify setting up, monitoring, troubleshooting, and repairing network connections. Two versions of Dell Network Assistant are available:

• 
  A 90-day trial version. By default, the version of Dell Network Assistant that is downloaded and installed from the Dell Web site is a 90-day trial version. After 90 days, an option is available to purchase a one-year license to continue to use its premium features.
• 
  A one-year licensed version. After purchasing Dell Network Assistant, all premium features are enabled for one year from the purchase date. Before and after the one-year license period expires, an option is available to extend the license period.

Dell Network Assistant Features
Features of Dell Network Assistant include the following:

• Network diagnostic and troubleshooting tools and wizards
• Automated repair functionality
• Simplified interface for folder and printer sharing
• Wireless connectivity wizard
• How-to documentation
• Connection status display
• Support for third-party routers, printers, personal digital assistants (PDA), and media adapters
• Support for Dell XPS™, Dimension™, Inspiron™, Vostro™, and Precision™ systems

Dell Network Assistant is supported on the following operating systems:

• Windows Vista
• Microsoft Windows XP
• Microsoft Windows Media Center Edition

DDell Network Assistant is not supported on Intel® Viiv™-based computers.

	Note:/b>
	Beginning on June 15, 2006, Dell Network Assistant is installed on qualified computers that have Dell Support 3.0x installed. Inspiron and Dimension computers that are shipped after June 18, 2006 have Dell Network Assistant factory-installed.

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Dell Network Assistant Diagnostic Features


When Dell Network Assistant runs on the computer, it always scans the network and network connections to detect issues that are associated with:

• System network connectivity
• Windows network connectivity
• Wireless network connectivity
• E-mail-related issues
• Home network connectivity, including routers and other devices

When Dell Network Assistant detects an issue, the tool performs one of the following actions, depending on the situation:

• Automatically determines the source of the issue and tries to repair it
• Prompts you to perform an action, as appropriate for the issue that is detected
• Takes no action on the issue and continues to scan for new issues

Dell Network Assistant can automatically resolve certain issues. In these scenarios, Dell Network Assistant displays a detailed description of the issue that was resolved. Other issues may require the user to perform actions. In these scenarios, Dell Network Assistant displays instructions for how to resolve the issue. Finally, certain issues cannot be resolved by the tool or by the user. In these cases, Dell Network Assistant provides information about the appropriate resource to contact.

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Troubleshoot and Repair the Network

1. 
   Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Dell Network Assistant, and then click Dell Network Assistant.
2. 
   Do one of the following, as appropriate:
   • If this is the first time running Dell Network Assistant, the Setup/Repair My Network feature automatically runs. Go to step 3.
   • If this is not the first time running the program, in the Dell Network Assistant window, click Setup/Repair My Network.
     
     
3. 
   Dell Network Assistant analyzes the network and tries to automatically repair network issues that it finds. Follow the on-screen instructions.

 

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Additional Information About Dell Network Assistant


For more information about Dell Network Assistant and to view a demonstration of how it works, visit the Dell Network Assistant.

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