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Printer Problems
Modem and Internet Connection Problems
Reinstall the Sound (audio) driver— See "Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities."
Check the printer cable connections— Ensure that the printer cable is properly connected to the computer (see "Connecting a Printer" in
the Dell Solutions Guide that came with your computer).
Test the electrical outlet— Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.
Ensure that the printer is turned on— See the documentation supplied with the printer.
Verify that Windows®recognizes the printer
1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Printers.
If the printer is listed, right-click the printer icon, click Properties, and then select the Details tab.
2. Ensure that the Print to the following port: option is set for your printer type:
l For a parallel printer: LPT1 (Printer Port)
l For a USB printer: USB
Reinstall the printer driver— See "Installing the Printer Driver" in the Dell Solutions Guide.
NOTICE: Connect the modem to an analog telephone wall jack only. Connecting the modem to a digital telephone network damages the modem.
NOTICE: Modem and network connectors look similar. Do not plug a telephone line into the network connector.
HINT: If you can connect to your Internet service provider (ISP), your modem is functioning properly. If you are sure that your modem is working
properly and you still experience problems, contact your ISP.
Check the telephone wall jack— Disconnect the telephone line from the modem and connect it to a telephone. Listen for a dial tone. Ensure
that you have touchtone telephone service. Try connecting the modem to a different telephone wall jack.
Connect the modem directly to the telephone wall jack— If you have other telephone devices sharing the line, such as an answering
machine, fax machine, surge protector, or line splitter, then bypass them and connect the modem directly to the telephone wall jack with the
telephone line.
Check the connection— Verify that the telephone line is connected to the modem.
Check the telephone line— Try using a different telephone line. If you are using a line that is 3 m (10 ft) or more in length, try a shorter one.
Irregular dial tone — If you have voice mail service, you may hear an irregular dial tone when you have messages. Contact your telephone
company for instructions on restoring a normal dial tone.
Turn off call waiting (catch-phone)— See your telephone directory for instructions on deactivating this feature. Then adjust the dial-up
networking connection properties:
1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Modems icon.
3. In the Modems Properties window, click Dialing Properties.
4. Ensure that To disable call waiting, dial: is checked, and then select the proper code as listed in your telephone directory.
5. Click Apply and then click OK.
6. Close the Modems Properties window.
7. Close the Control Panel window.
Verify that the modem is communicating with Windows
Windows XP
1. Click the Start button.
2. Click Control Panel.
3. Click Network and Internet Connections.
4. Click Internet Options.
5. Click Network Diagnostics and perform the connectivity test.
Windows Me
1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel window, double-click Modems.
If there are multiple entries for the same modem or modems listed that are not installed, delete the entries and restart the computer.
3. Click the Diagnostics tab.
4. Click the COM port for your modem.
5. Click More Info to verify that the modem is communicating with Windows.
If all commands receive responses, the modem is operating properly.