Dell Computer Troubleshooting

Dell Support Website
1. Every Dell computer comes with a unique seven-digit service tag number. With this service tag number and an Internet connection, you may be able to find the answer to your question at Dell's support website (see Dell Support).
Dell Computers maintains an extremely comprehensive support website for Dell customers all over the world. It includes a knowledge base, forum, online chat with technical support, and driver downloads not only for the products Dell manufactures, but for all products that were originally installed in Dell computers.
System Restore
2. If you are unable to connect to the Internet, you still may be able to solve your problem without reinstalling the operating system. First back up any data you can, disconnect all peripherals and restart your computer.
If you suspect that your computer has a problem other than heavy virus infestation, Microsoft's System Restore program solves many Windows XP and Vista-related problems. From the Start menu, select "Accessories," "System Tools" and "System Restore." The program will ask you to choose a date and time to which to restore your system. After it finishes running, reboot your machine and reconnect your peripheral devices.
PC Restore
3. Dell recommends that computers which are known to be heavily virus-infected should run the PC Restore program instead of System Restore.
Back up data, disconnect peripherals and reboot as described above. When you see the Dell splash screen, hold the "Ctrl" key while pressing "F11." When "Dell PC Restore by Symantec" appears, select "Restore." Next, press "Confirm" to verify your understanding that all your existing data will be erased. A progress bar will appear. When the program finishes, if the PC Restore operation was successful, you can reboot, reconnect your peripheral devices and restore your files to your computer.
Reinstalling the Operating System
4. If none of the steps described above solved your problem, you will need to reinstall Windows from CD. Afterward, you will need to visit Microsoft Windows Update and the Dell support website and download the drivers appropriate to your system, as well as all service packs and critical updates. At that point you will be able to reinstall your saved backup files to your computer.