®Dell®Latitude® XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
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5-6 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideFigure 5-1. Diagnostics ChecklistName: __________________________________________________
Getting Help 5-7Dell Contact Numbers When you need to contact Dell, use the telephone num-bers and codes provided in Tables 5-2 and 5-3. T
5-8 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideTable 5-2. International Dialing CodesCountry (City)InternationalAccess Code Country Code
Getting Help 5-9Singapore (Singapore) 005 65 Not requiredSouth Africa (Johannesburg) 09/091 27 11Spain (Madrid) 07 34 1Sweden (Upplands Vasby) 009 46
5-10 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideTable 5-3. Dell Contact NumbersCountryArea Local Number orDepartment Name or Service Cod
Getting Help 5-11Canada(North York, Ontario)NOTE: Customers in Canada call theU.S. for access to TechConnect BBS.Automated Order-Status System . . .
5-12 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideDenmark*(Horsholm)Customer Care, Technical Support, and Sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Getting Help 5-13Ireland*(Bray)Customer Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-850-543-543Sales.
5-14 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideLuxembourg*NOTE: Customers in Luxembourg call Belgium for sales, customer assistance, and
Getting Help 5-15New Zealand Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0800 446 255
xiiiContentsChapter 1Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1Hardware Features. . . . .
5-16 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideSweden*(Upplands Vasby)Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Getting Help 5-17xU.S.(Austin, Texas)Automated Order-Status System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . toll free: 1-800-433-9014AutoTech
5-18 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
Technical Specifications A-1Appendix ATechnical Specifications Table A-1. Technical Specifications MicroprocessorMicroprocessor type . . . . . . . .
A-2 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuidePC CardPC Card controller Texas Instruments PCI1130 CardBus controllerPC Card connectors
Technical Specifications A-3Connectors (Continued)PS/2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . one 6-pin mini-DIN (this connector does
A-4 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideVideoVideo type. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . hardware-accelerated, 128-bit
Technical Specifications A-5BatteryType . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . lithium ionDimensions:Height . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A-6 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideAC AdapterInput voltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 to 135 VAC and 164 to
Technical Specifications A-7CD-ROM Drive3 (Continued)Access time:Random . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 m/secFull-stroke . . . . . . . .
xivDisplay Time-Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7Expansion Device . . . . . . . . . .
A-8 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideEnvironmental (Computer) (Continued)Maximum shock:4Operating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diagnostic Video Tests B-1Appendix BDiagnostic Video TestsThe Video Test Group of the diskette-based diagnostics consists of the following eight tests
B-2 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideThe following subsections describe the subtests of the Text Mode Character Test in the ord
Diagnostic Video Tests B-3Text Mode Color Test The Text Mode Color Test contains three subtests that check the video subsystem’s ability to pr
B-4 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideColor Attributes Subtest (40 x 25)The 40-column x 25-line color attributes subtest is the
Diagnostic Video Tests B-5Figure B-3. 640 x 480 2-Color Graphics Mode Screen640 x 480 16-Color Graphics Mode ScreenThe 640- x 480-pixel 16-color grap
B-6 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideThe second screen is the red/green/blue (RGB) color combination screen. This screen allows
Regulatory Notices C-1Appendix CRegulatory NoticesAll regulatory notices for the computer are located on the bottom of the computer.FCC Class B Notice
C-2 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideModem RequirementsThis equipment operates in compliance with Part 68 of the FCC rules. In
Regulatory Notices C-3ICES-3” or “IC Class B ICES-3” will be located on one of these labels.Note that Industry Canada regulations provide that changes
xvChapter 3Troubleshooting Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1Backing Up Your Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
C-4 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting Guide•EN 50082-1 — “Electromagnetic compatibility—Generic immunity standard Part 1: Residentia
Regulatory Notices C-5Class A DevicePlease note that this device has been approved for business purposes with regard to electromagnetic interference.
C-6 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
Warranties and Return Policy D-1Appendix DWarranties and Return PolicyYour Dell portable computer is covered by either a three-year limited warranty o
D-2 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting Guidefor the Dell hardware product(s) covered under this limited warranty when a part requires
Warranties and Return Policy D-3department; accessories or parts that are not installed in the Dell factory; or DellWare products. Monitors, key-board
D-4 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuidePRODUCTS NOT BEING AVAILABLE FOR USE OR FOR LOST DATA OR SOFTWARE.SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NO
Warranties and Return Policy D-5CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING WITH-OUT LIMITATION ANY LIABILITY FOR PRODUCTS NOT BEING AVAILABLE FOR USE OR FOR LOS
D-6 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideDELL DOES NOT ACCEPT LIABILITY BEYOND THE REMEDIES SET FORTH IN THIS WARRANTY STATEMENT OR
Index 1IndexAAC adapter connector, 1-2administrator passwordassigning or changing, 2-5Advanced Port Replicator, 1-2, 1-3alternating current. See ACass
xviTroubleshooting Serial and Parallel Ports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27Troubleshooting the Basic I/O Functions .
2 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting Guidecharacter set test. See video tests, Text Mode Character Testcolor attributes test. See vide
Index 3EECP-compatible devices, 2-9error messagesbeep codes, 3-11Dell diagnostics, 4-12system error messages, 3-4, 3-5table, 3-4, 3-5ESD, viiiexpanded
4 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting Guideinterruptsavoiding assignment conflicts, 3-15IRQ lines, 3-16Kkeyboardchecking external keybo
Index 5OOptionsoption in Dell diagnostics, 4-6options, 1-4Pparallel portdisabling, 2-9mapping, 2-9troubleshooting, 3-27Parallel Ports Test Groupin Del
6 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting Guiderandom-access memory. See RAMregulatory notices, C-1returns, 5-4Runoption in Dell diagnostic
Index 7system configuration informationabout, 2-1confirming with Dell diagnostics, 4-4viewing, 2-4system memory, 2-12system messages, 3-4System Set Te
8 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting Guidetimesetting, 2-12trackballenabling or disabling, 2-8location, 1-1testing, 4-16troubleshootin
Index 9Video Hardware Test, B-1video memory, 2-13Video Memory Test, B-1video scan alignment test. See video tests, Text ModeCharacter Testvideo subsys
Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideAdjust this Spine accordingly
xviiRAM Test Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12Why Run a RAM Test? . .
xviiiChapter 5Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1Technical Assistance . . . . . .
xixGraphics Mode Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-4320 x 200 Graphics Mode S
xxAppendix DWarranties and Return Policy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-1Limited Three-Year Warranty (U.S. Only) . . . .
xxiTable 3-7. I/O Map. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17Table 4-1. Option Parameters. .
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. 1994–1996 Dell Computer Corporation. All rights reserved.Reproduction in any manner
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Introduction 1-1Chapter 1IntroductionThe Dell® Latitude® XPi CD portable computer is an expandable multimedia system designed around an Intel® Pentium
1-2 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting Guide Figure 1-2. Back View of the Computer
Introduction 1-3•A 256-kilobyte (KB) static random-access memory (SRAM) external cache (also called level 2, or L2, cache). Cache memory enhances the
1-4 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideInterchanging Hard-Disk DrivesThe removable hard-disk drives in the new Dell Latitude XPi
Customizing System Features 2-1Chapter 2Customizing System FeaturesAs your computing environment changes, you may want to customize the configuration
2-2 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideIf you change the setting of an option that requires rebooting in order to take effect, ex
Customizing System Features 2-3•OptionsThe box on the left half of both screens lists options that define the installed hardware in your computer (Pag
2-4 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting Guide Figure 2-1. System Setup ScreensTime: 13:17:02 Date: Mon Feb 12, 1997This category set
Customizing System Features 2-5System Setup OptionsThe following subsections explain in detail each of the system setup options found in the System Se
vSafety InstructionsUse the following safety guidelines to help protect your computer from potential damage and to help ensure your own personal safet
2-6 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting Guidemay ask you for this version number if you call Dell for technical assistance.NOTE: Dell m
Customizing System Features 2-7AC is set to DISABLED. There are no user-selectable set-tings for this option. Settings for BATTERY are:The default set
2-8 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideSettings for this option are:•COM1: FRONT maps the infrared data port on the front of the
Customizing System Features 2-9•ENABLED indicates that the computer detects a PC Card in the PC Card connector and that power is available to the conn
2-10 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuidePrimary PasswordPRIMARY PASSWORD displays the current status of the primary password and
Customizing System Features 2-11A change to the S2D TIME-OUT option takes effect immedi-ately (rebooting is not required).If you are not in the System
2-12 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideIf you are not in the System Setup program, you can change speaker volume settings at any
Customizing System Features 2-13A change to the TIME option becomes effective immediately (rebooting is not required). However, you must reboot to mak
2-14 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting Guide•Manage the suspend-to-disk partition on the hard-disk driveIn all operating systems, use
Customizing System Features 2-15your computer, the hard-disk drive space used can be 10 to 42 MB in size.The Suspend-to-Disk utility consists of the f
vicomputer, wait five seconds after turning off the computer before removing the memory module or disconnecting the device to help avoid possible dam-
2-16 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting Guide2. Type mks2d and press <ENTER>.As the utility builds the partition, status message
Troubleshooting Your Computer 3-1Chapter 3Troubleshooting Your ComputerIf your Dell computer is not working as expected, this chapter provides both in
3-2 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideChecking ConnectionsLoose or improperly connected cables are likely sources of problems fo
Troubleshooting Your Computer 3-3Look and ListenLooking at and listening to your computer is important in determining the source of a problem. Look an
3-4 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideSystem Setup OptionsYou can easily correct certain system problems by verify-ing the setti
Troubleshooting Your Computer 3-5Table 3-2. System Error Messages Message Cause ActionAuxiliary device failureThe integrated trackball or external P
3-6 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideDiskette write-protectedBecause the diskette is write-protected, the operation cannot be c
Troubleshooting Your Computer 3-7Hard-disk drive failureThe hard-disk drive does not respond to commands from the computer.Turn off the computer, remo
3-8 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideMemory address line failure at address, read value expecting valueAn installed memory modu
Troubleshooting Your Computer 3-9No boot sector on hard-disk driveThe operating system may be corrupted.Reinstall your operating system. See the docum
vii2. Disconnect your computer and peripherals from AC power to reduce the potential for personal injury or shock. Also, disconnect any telephone or t
3-10 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideSystem Beep CodesWhen errors that occur during the boot routine cannot be reported on the
Troubleshooting Your Computer 3-11Table 3-3. Beep Codes Message Cause Action1-1-3 NVRAM write/read failure. Run the System Set Test Group in the Dell
3-12 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting Guide3-2-4 Keyboard controller test failure. Run the Keyboard Controller Test in the Dell diag
Troubleshooting Your Computer 3-13Finding Software SolutionsBecause most computers have several application pro-grams installed in addition to the ope
3-14 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting Guidetion instructions before running a program’s installation routine. You may be instructed
Troubleshooting Your Computer 3-15result when other programs require use of all or part of the memory already occupied by these TSR programs.Typically
3-16 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideMemory Allocations A microprocessor and programs operating under MS-DOS (real-mode
Troubleshooting Your Computer 3-17I/O MapTable 3-7 provides a map of memory addresses reserved by the system for peripheral I/O devices. Use the infor
3-18 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideTroubleshooting ProceduresThis section provides troubleshooting procedures for components
Troubleshooting Your Computer 3-199. Reinstall any diskette, hard-disk drive, or PC Cards that you removed in step 3.10. Replace the battery.11. Recon
viiiProtecting Against ElectrostaticDischarge Static electricity can harm electronic components inside your computer. To prevent static dama
3-20 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideNOTE: Before you begin this procedure, make sure that the SYSTEM SWITCH option in the Sys
Troubleshooting Your Computer 3-217. Connect the AC adapter to a different AC power source, and turn on the computer. Do the indica-tors light up?Allo
3-22 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideNOTE: Before you begin this procedure, make sure that the SYSTEM SWITCH option in the Sys
Troubleshooting Your Computer 3-23Troubleshooting the CD-ROM Drive During POST, the computer checks the CD-ROM drive, comparing its characteris
3-24 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting Guide1. Reboot the computer by pressing <CTRL><ALT><DEL>. Does the hard-disk
Troubleshooting Your Computer 3-253. Reboot the computer by pressing <CTRL><ALT><DEL>. During the boot routine, do the Num Lock, Cap
3-26 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideNOTE: Memory modules are keyed, or designed, to fit into their sockets in only one direct
Troubleshooting Your Computer 3-279. Turn on the computer and the monitor, and adjust the monitor’s brightness and contrast con-trols. Is the monitor
3-28 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideIf a system error message indicates a port problem or if equipment connected to a port se
Troubleshooting Your Computer 3-29NOTE: Before you begin this procedure, make sure that the SYSTEM SWITCH option in the System Setup program is set to
ixPrefaceAbout This GuideThis guide is intended for anyone who uses the Dell Latitude XPi CD portable computer. It can be used by both first-time and
3-30 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting Guide2. Change the INFRARED DATA PORT option to the appropriate settings, and then reboot the
Running the Dell Diagnostics 4-1Chapter 4Running the Dell DiagnosticsUnlike many diagnostic programs, the Dell diagnostics helps you check the comput
4-2 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideBefore You Start Testing Follow these steps to safeguard your master copy of the
Running the Dell Diagnostics 4-3How to Use the Dell DiagnosticsWhen you select RUN ALL TESTS or RUN SPECIFIC TESTS from the Diagnostics Menu, the main
4-4 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideFigure 4-2. Main Screen of the Dell DiagnosticsConfirming the System Configuration Inform
Running the Dell Diagnostics 4-5parallel communications device, the computer recognizes the printer by its LPT1 address and identifies it as a paralle
4-6 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideSubtest Most of the test groups consist of several subtests. Use the SUBTEST opti
Running the Dell Diagnostics 4-7Number of Times to Repeat Test(s) This parameter specifies the number of times the tests run when you select RUN. To c
4-8 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideOutput Device for Status Messages Ordinarily, all status messages appear only on the dis-p
Running the Dell Diagnostics 4-9The RAM Test Group, the Video Test Group, the Serial/Infrared Ports Test Group, the Diskette Drives Test Group, the Pa
xOther Documents You May NeedBesides this Reference and Troubleshooting Guide, the fol-lowing online documentation is included with your computer:The
4-10 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideTable 4-2. Dell Diagnostics TestsTest Groups Subtests Description
Running the Dell Diagnostics 4-11Hard-Disk Drives (Non-SCSI)Disk Controller TestForced Error-Correction-Code TestSeek TestRead TestWrite TestTests a d
4-12 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideError Messages When you run a test group or subtest in the diagnostics, err
Running the Dell Diagnostics 4-13Why Run a RAM Test?Faulty memory can cause a variety of problems that may not, at first glance, appear to be happenin
4-14 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting Guidea problem and cannot isolate the failure or malfunction to a particular system board comp
Running the Dell Diagnostics 4-15•Coprocessor Error Exception TestVerifies the math coprocessor’s ability to handle errors and to send IRQs to the mic
4-16 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideMany of these tests display characters or graphics on the screen for you to verify. Sampl
Running the Dell Diagnostics 4-17•If the response when you press a trackball or mouse button is different from the usual response or the response you
4-18 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting Guideamount (over five percent of the possible total), should not be regarded as a cause for t
Running the Dell Diagnostics 4-19•Audio Output TestCauses the drive to begin playing the first audio track on an audio CD. (To determine if the test p
xi•Commands presented in lowercase bold are for ref-erence purposes only and are not intended to be typed at that particular point in the discussion.
4-20 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideWhy Run a Parallel Ports Test?If the diagnostics does not recognize the computer’s par-al
Running the Dell Diagnostics 4-21Why Run a SCSI Devices Test?If you check your SCSI hard-disk drive to determine the amount of available space, your o
4-22 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting Guideinterface controller is functioning. If the test group is run in a loop, it can be used t
Running the Dell Diagnostics 4-23•Internal Register TestWrites test patterns to the internal registers of the audio controller, then reads other regis
4-24 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
Getting Help 5-1Chapter 5Getting HelpThis chapter describes the tools Dell provides to help you when there is a problem with the computer. It also tel
5-2 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideDell Q&ADell anticipates your questions by providing the Dell Q&A, a Windows-based
Getting Help 5-3Log in as user: anonymous, and use your e-mail address as your password. •Electronic Support [email protected] •Electronic Quote
5-4 Dell Latitude XPi CD Reference and Troubleshooting GuideFor the TechFax telephone number, see Table 5-3.NOTE: TechFax is not always available in
Getting Help 5-54. Include any accessories that belong with the item(s) being returned (power cables, software diskettes, guides, and so on) if the re
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