Windows on laptop will not load. There is a number 9 inside a lock icon.The previous night, I had to shut down my Dell Latitude D400 incorrectly, by holding down the power button. An update wouldn't install. This morning, there is a number 9 in a lock icon, and the hard drive appears to be locked or something. It turns on, but won't go past the first screen .

Reboot the system and before Windows loads press the F12 key to get a boot menu. Choose the restore option. If that is corrupt or missing, try this:

http://www.ehow.com/how_6547558_restore-dell-latitude-factory-settings.html

Luis,
The Latitude D400 never shipped with a Factory Restore Image. You will need to format and reinstall Windows Manually. At the link below are instructions for reinstalling Windows on your system.
Manually Reinstall Windows XP
http://dell.to/1dLIxBq

Thank You,
Dell-Jesse L
Dell Social Media and Communities

jmcabcd,

To Display The Volume IconBy default, the Volume icon is not displayed when you initially install Windows XP on your system.

To enable the display of the Volume icon, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Sounds and Audio Devices.
3. Click Show volume control on the taskbar.
4. Click OK.

When you have the new desktop features of Windows XP enabled, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Sounds, click Speech, and then click Audio Devices.
3. Click Sounds, and then click Audio Devices.
4. Click Show volume control on the taskbar.
5. Click OK.

If needed you may need to reinstall the sound drivers back into the system.You can download the drivers for your system by clicking the link below.


Latitude D400 Sound Drivers
http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/Product/latitude-d400

Thank You,
Dell-Jesse L
Dell Social Media and Communities

That means the unlock is on. To disable it you can try hold the Fn key and press the F4 key or the key with the padlock and the number 9 on it.

That icon is the indicator for Caps Lock (aka Shift Lock). When in the operating system (Windows), you can turn the icon on (or should be able to) by pressing the CAPS Lock key, and turn it off by pressing the CAPS Lock key again.

You have to be absolutely sure you are downloading the correct display drivers for your system. The dell installers are very picky.
There are 2 video drivers here is the link.
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?os=WW1&catid=6&dateid=-1&impid=-1&osl=EN&typeid=-1&formatid=-1&servicetag=&SystemID=LAT_PNT_PM_D400&hidos=WW1&hidlang=en&TabIndex=&scanSupported=False&scanConsent=False

I don't think the D400 series had microphones. I could be incorrect, but I don't think so ...

I had that happen to me with my Dell as well... If you're comfortable with taking a laptop apart.. you'll need to detach the screen ribbon, clean it with rubbing alcohol, and then reattach it. This should do the trick..

Please try rebooting the system and on start up press F8 to get to the start up menu. Select the option LAST KNOWN GOOD CONFIGURATION and you may be able to save yourself a lot of trouble. 

It is better to run the dell diagnostics, when you see the dell logo keep on tapping f12, then choose utility partition and do an express on your system.