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Article Number: 000150788

Ask Dell Knowledge Base

Summary: Welcome to the Ask Dell Knowledge Base.

This article may have been automatically translated. If you have any feedback regarding its quality, please let us know using the form at the bottom of this page.

Article Content

Symptoms

The content below assists you in finding information and solutions to issues not covered under your Dell Limited Hardware Warranty. Select a topic from the list to get started.

Cause

Using the SupportAssist application provides automatic computer updates and detects issues that can be resolved for you. See the following links depending on the hardware that you want help with.

SupportAssist for Home PCs

SupportAssist for enterprise systems (servers, storage, and networking)

Your data is priceless, and that is why you have chosen to store it on a Dell computer. In this Security section, we help you secure your information, and protect your investment using the information in the following articles:

Remove virus, spyware, or other malware. 
Secure my wireless network.
Physically secure my Dell computer or monitor.  

Browse our Security Center for more information about computer security, digital privacy, and online safety.

Microsoft also provides comprehensive security information about their Safety and Security Center. This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.

For additional help with hardware and software not Dell branded, go to the website of the manufacture of the hardware or software.

Security is awesome…when your password is working. Which type of password are you having trouble with? (For example: Windows Password, Forgotten Password, Dell "My Account" login Password, Administrator Password, or Creating a Windows Password Reset Disk.)

Are you having problems logging into your Microsoft Account with your password? See our article on: Problems with Windows password or Microsoft Account or if the issue is with a newly created account try: Newly created Microsoft account does not allow login. If you receive error messages, then the following Microsoft Support options are available to you: (For example: "Your account has been temporarily blocked," or "Call us overprotective, but we must ensure you can receive a security code.")

If you have lost your Windows Password, we have articles for each Operating System which may help. Select the link that matches the Operating System installed on your computer:

If you are experiencing poor performance, you can optimize Windows and perform routine maintenance. For details, see the Optimization and Maintenance of Windows Knowledge Base Article relating to your operating system below: If you believe that your computer may be slow due to a Virus, Malware or Spyware, reference that section in this document. We also have some related videos available for How to use Windows 8 Troubleshooters to fix Common Issues  This is a video.

We have listed below the general Windows topics which may help resolve your issue. However, for the most comprehensive information about Microsoft Windows we would always recommend visiting the: Microsoft Support website  This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.

WINDOWS 10 - If you want to know more about Windows 10, here are articles on general topics:

You may have a query relating to the Windows 10 upgrade notification in the taskbar. Part of the reservation process is that the Windows 10 App which appears in the taskbar of your Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 computer. You can learn more by visiting http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows10upgrade, Windows 10 FAQ This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies. are located off the main reservation page. It is recommended that you review these to understand the reservation process and requirements. Also Microsoft has also launched the Windows 10 forum in Microsoft Community. This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.

Notes:
  • Systems on a domain network do not show the Windows 10 App in the systray due to network Group Policy settings. For Domain Windows 10 upgrades, see your network administrator. This reservation process only reserves your copy of Windows 10. The download for the update will not be available until July 29, 2015. Windows RT is not eligible now.
 

WINDOWS 8/8.1 - If you want to know more about Windows 8/8.1, here are some articles on general topics:

For further detail on how to use Windows 8/8.1, ask your question on the: Microsoft Answers forum or access all Windows 8/8.1 material on the: Microsoft Support website  This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.

Other general Windows related topics and articles:

For how-to's and troubleshooting information about Wired and Wireless networking, browse to the: Dell Networking and Wireless Support Center

For more information about how to turn the wireless antenna on and off on a Dell Computer, see Dell Knowledge Base article: How to Turn the Wireless Antenna On and Off on a Dell Computer

See the Dell Knowledge Base article Troubleshooting Internet Connectivity Issues on Your Dell Computer for any additional help.

We have detailed information below about Installation, Activation, Use, and Upgrading the various versions of Microsoft Office. However, for the most comprehensive information about Microsoft products we would always recommend visiting the: Microsoft Support website Alternatively, go to the main Microsoft Site to purchase Office products.  This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.

OFFICE 2013

OFFICE 2010 and 2007

When attempting to locate your product key for Office 2010, you must follow these instructions.
The Microsoft Office suite product key is located on a sticker on the packaging that contained the Microsoft Office disks, if you purchased Office 2007. (or any earlier version.)

If you purchased Office 2010 - Dell ships most home computers from the factory with a basic version of Office 2010 named Starter. Use the activation code (product key) on the Microsoft Product Information (MPI) card that is enclosed in the packaging. You can use it to activate the full version providing you purchased any of the Office 2010 full versions. If you purchased a "Fast Track" computer, the MPI card is sent separately through mail. Go to Microsoft Office and click the Download link at the bottom of the page. Enter your Product Key information as found on your MPI card and complete the form as indicated. OFFICE 365 

We have detailed information below on both Inkjet and Laser Printers to assist you with troubleshooting and general maintenance and running of your Dell Printer. In addition to this information, full Printer User Guides can be found in the Manuals section of the Dell Support Site.

LASER PRINTERS  INKJET PRINTERS

This article contains information about how to set up email and resources for troubleshooting email issues. (For example: Using various email applications such as Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, Windows Live Mail, and Yahoo.)

Dell Backup and Recovery is a flexible automated backup and recovery application. It is designed to reliably protect your most important digital documents and memories in a few clicks. Backing up your data with Dell Backup and Recovery can protect against data loss resulting from: 
  • Virus attack
  • Accidental file deletion
  • OS/software corruption
  • Hardware failure*
* If data is backed up to a secondary drive or the cloud.

The Dell Backup and Recovery Application comes in two versions, Basic and Premium. You can also purchase a Cloud Storage option along with the Basic or Premium versions that allow you to back up online. Details of the latest product can be found in this article, Dell Backup and Recovery 1.8: Overview and Install, or you can download from here - Download Dell Backup and Recovery. For further information about the product, go to the Dell Backup and Recovery website.

These article links provide information about Dell Backup and Recovery: Creating Bootable Factory Backup and a Rescue Disk.

SYSTEM RESTORE is an integrated Windows tool that is designed to protect and repair the operating system. When something goes wrong with your computer, System Restore should be used prior to restoring to factory condition. Select your operating system to continue with the System Restore instructions:


MANUAL REINSTALLATION is the most time-consuming and difficult path to restore your computer to factory condition. You can reinstall the operating system directly from the CD or DVD. (Install the drivers, configure the operating system, install critical and recommended updates, and install your applications.) Time to Complete is 120+ minutes.

For help with replacing of common parts for Dell desktops and laptops see Dell Knowledge Base article: How to replace common parts in your Dell Desktop or Laptop

Monitors and display issues can come in many forms and we have included some of the common queries below. Additional information can be found on the Dell Monitor Support page.

Brightness, Contrast, or Geometrical problems

The Screen is either too bright, too dim, or has a black space on the top of the screen or bottom of the screen. Select the appropriate option for further instructions - Desktop or Laptop.

Blank Screen or No Video

Either there is no display on the monitor or the screen has horizontal or vertical lines going across it. Select the appropriate option for further instructions on possible resolution - Desktop or Laptop.

Adjusting the Screen Resolution, Icon, or Font Size - Too Small or Too Big

These articles provide information about Windows Video Settings by operating system:

Lines, Fuzzy, Color, or Blurry Issues

Try the following steps to resolve these issues:

  1. Verify that the BIOS and Video Drivers are installed. For more information, see: How to Use the Dell Support Site to Identify and Install the Drivers for Your Dell Personal Computer
  2. Test the LCD in the System Setup (BIOS).
  3. Run the LCD-integrated Self-Test (LCD BIST).
  4. Set or Change your Video Settings.
  5. Connect to an external monitor (if available).
  6. Check for visible damage to the LCD. 
Setting up Multiple Monitors

These articles provide instructions by operating system: Other issues 

This article provides information about: No video on external monitor prior to Windows start screen using DVI, HDMI, or Display Port connections on a Latitude E3 Series computer

Laptop Battery issues can be as a result of the AC Adapter Not Powering on the Computer or Charging the Battery. These articles help to resolve AC Adapter and Battery issues: No Power problems can often be confused with other startup issues. See our Resolve No Power article for detailed descriptions of these issues and solutions.

If your computer cannot perform an operating system shutdown:

  • The computer stops responding and the mouse and keyboard do not work.
  • The computer does not shut down when using the Shut Down command or the Turn Off Computer command on the Start menu in Windows.

In this case, the computer can be safely turned off by using the power button. On the next power-up, your computer may display: "Windows did not shut down successfully."  In this case, select "Start windows normally" (you do not have to use "Safe Mode").

Changing the Power Plan in Windows 

These articles detail how to change the power plan in Windows, and how to modify various settings for display and sleep or hibernation.

See the following Dell Knowledge Base articles for help and information:

How to Configure RAID on a Dell Desktop PC

How to Troubleshoot a RAID Hard Drive issue on a Dell Desktop PC

Resolution

Not Applicable

Additional Information

Out of Warranty support Out of warranty? That is not a problem. Go to the Dell.com/support website and enter your Dell Service Tag and view our offers.

NOTE: Offers are only available for US, Canada, UK, and France personal computer customers. Server and Storage products are not applicable.

Article Properties

Last Published Date

15 May 2024

Version

17

Article Type

Solution

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