If You Drop Or Damage Your Computer; Drivers; What Is A Driver; Identifying Drivers - Dell Inspirion 510m Owner's Manual

If You Drop or Damage Your Computer

Save and close any open files, exit any open programs, and shut down the computer (see
1
page 39).
Disconnect the AC adapter from the computer and from the electrical outlet.
2
Turn off any attached external devices, and disconnect them from their power sources and
3
then from the computer.
Remove and reinstall the battery.
4
Turn on the computer.
5
NOTE:
For information on your warranty coverage, see the separate paper warranty document that
shipped with your computer.
If the computer does not start, or if you cannot identify the damaged components, see page 127.

Drivers

What Is a Driver?

A driver is a program that controls a device such as a printer, mouse, or keyboard. All devices require
a driver program.
A driver acts like a translator between the device and any other programs that use the device. Each
device has its own set of specialized commands that only its driver recognizes.
Dell ships your computer to you with required drivers already installed—no further installation or
configuration is needed.
NOTICE:
computer. Ensure that you are installing software appropriate for your operating system.
Many drivers, such as the keyboard driver, come with your Microsoft
system. You may need to install drivers if you:
• Upgrade your operating system.
• Reinstall your operating system.
• Connect or install a new device.

Identifying Drivers

If you experience a problem with any device, identify whether the driver is the source of your problem
and, if necessary, update the driver.
Click the Start button and click Control Panel.
1
Under Pick a Category, click Performance and Maintenance.
2
Click System.
3
90
Solving Problems
The Drivers and Utilities CD may contain drivers for operating systems that are not on your
® ®
Windows operating