Gateway E-475m Manual
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www.gateway.com 103 The hard drive cannot be accessed, or you see a “General failure reading drive C” error message •If a diskette is in the diskette drive, eject it and restart your notebook. •Make sure that the hard drive is installed correctly. Remove it, firmly reinsert it, then restart your notebook. For more information about removing your hard drive, see “Replacing the hard drive kit” on page 89. •If your notebook has been subjected to static electricity or physical shock, you may need to reinstall the operating system. Your notebook does not recognize a second hard drive •The modular drive may not be inserted completely into the modular bay. Press the module into the bay, then try to access the drive again. Internet You cannot connect to the Internet •If you are using a dial-up modem, make sure that the modem cable is plugged into the modem jack and not the Ethernet network jack. For the location of your modem jack, see “Right” on page 8. -OR- If you are using a cable or DSL modem, make sure that the modem cable is plugged into the Ethernet network jack and not the modem jack. For the location of your network jack, see “Right” on page 8. •Make sure that you do not have a problem with your modem. For more information, see “Modem (dial-up)” on page 109. •Make sure that your account with your Internet service provider (ISP) is set up correctly. Contact your ISP technical support for help. Help For more information about troubleshooting Internet connections, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword troubleshooting connections in the Search box, then press E NTER.
CHAPTER9: Troubleshooting 104 You see an “Unable to locate host” message and are unable to browse the Internet •This problem can occur when you have typed a URL (Web address) incorrectly, you have lost your Internet connection, or your ISP is having technical difficulties. Double-check the URL or try a different URL. If the error message still appears, disconnect from the ISP connection and close your browser, then reconnect and open the browser. If you still get the error, your ISP may be having technical difficulties. Connecting to a Web site takes too long Many factors can affect Internet performance: •The condition of the telephone lines in your residence or at your local telephone service •The condition of the Internet computers to which you connect and the number of users accessing those computers •The complexity of graphics and multimedia on Web pages •Having multiple Web browsers open, performing multiple downloads, and having multiple programs open on your notebook People are sending you e-mail messages, but you have not received any mail •Click the receive button in your e-mail program. •Make sure that your account with your Internet service provider (ISP) is set up correctly. Contact your ISP for technical support. Keyboard A keyboard character keeps repeating or you see a “Keyboard stuck” or “Key failure” error message •Make sure that nothing is resting on the keyboard. •Make sure that a key is not stuck. Press each key to loosen a key that might be stuck, then restart your notebook. You are pressing a letter key and a number appears on the screen •The numeric keypad is turned on. For more information about using your keyboard, see “Using the keyboard” on page 24.
www.gateway.com 105 An external keyboard does not work •Make sure that the keyboard cable is plugged in correctly. •Remove all extension cables and switchboxes. •Clean the keyboard by using an aerosol can of air with a narrow, straw-like extension to remove dust and lint trapped under the keys. •Try a keyboard that you know works to make sure that the keyboard port works. •If you spilled liquid in the keyboard, turn off your notebook and unplug the keyboard. Clean the keyboard and turn it upside down to drain it. Let the keyboard dry before using it again. If the keyboard does not work after it dries, you may need to replace it. Media Center To view Media Center troubleshooting information that is not covered in this section, go to the Gateway support Web Site at www.gateway.com . The Media Center video display looks bad on your TV Many factors, such as the display type, quality of the video source, type of connection used, quality of video cables, display device screen resolution, size of TV, age of the TV, or the type of TV (interlaced or progressive scan), can affect the video quality significantly: •Display type—The Media Center is best viewed on display devices that were offered with the Media Center computer when you purchased it from Gateway. Other types of display devices, including retail TVs, may provide lower quality video. If you did not order a display device when you purchased your Media Center computer, a progressive scan display device with a VGA input is the best choice.
CHAPTER9: Troubleshooting 106 •Type of connection used—You can connect the Media Center computer video output to a TV. However, the connection type has an affect on the video quality. The Media Center has two video outputs: •VGA—If your TV includes a VGA port, connect the VGA cable from the Media Center computer’s VGA (monitor) port to the TV’s VGA In port for the best quality. Many TVs do not have a VGA port. •S-Video—If your TV does not have a VGA port, but includes an S-Video port, connect the S-Video cable from the Media Center computer’s S-Video Out port to the TV’s S-Video In port. S-Video display quality is usually good for TV images. The display quality for the Media Center computer functions, however, is not as good as VGA output. S-Video display output is not optimized for computer video display. •Quality of video cables—Poor quality or the incorrect type of video cables can cause problems and affect the video quality. Gateway recommends using high-quality video cables that can be purchased from Gateway. •Screen resolution—By default, the notebook uses a screen resolution optimized for the LCD screen. Many TVs cannot display this high of a resolution and may shift, scramble, or scroll the picture. For a better picture on a TV display, you may need to lower the Media Center screen resolution to 800 × 600 or 640 × 480. For more information about changing the screen resolution, see “Changing color depth and screen resolution” in your online User Guide. •Size of display device—Small computer monitors for standard computer applications are generally not optimized for motion video playback. Although they offer excellent resolutions and refresh rates, they are designed to make static white backgrounds with black text look readable. Some small display devices do not make colorful motion video look its best. Generally, video will look better on a larger display device.Important Cable connections must be made correctly for optimal video quality. A poor cable connection can lower video quality. HelpFor more information about adjusting display settings, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword changing display settings in the Search box, then click the arrow.
www.gateway.com 107 •Age of the TV—Newer TVs usually have more advanced features, produce a better quality picture, and support higher screen resolutions. The Media Center video display will likely be better on a newer model TV. •Type of TV (interlaced or progressive scan) Many TVs use interlaced video. Interlaced video displays a video frame with two passes of alternating scan lines. The TV screen first displays the video image odd lines one at a time, sequentially from top to bottom, then it fills in the other half of the video image with the even lines. Because most TVs use this interlaced method to display the picture on the screen, a standard interlaced analog TV will most likely flicker when displaying thin lines and small text. An interlaced video display device will produce a lower quality display, especially when viewing and using the Media Center computer functions. Progressive scan video displays a video frame with one pass of sequential scan lines. A progressive scan TV displays the entire picture, drawn sequentially from top to bottom, without the odd/even interlacing. This results in a fuller, sharper picture and better display quality for viewing and using the Media Center computer functions. The progressive scan picture is also brighter and easier on your eyes. You need to configure your Media Center to output to a TV •Your Media Center computer detects whether you are using a VGA or an S-Video display device and automatically changes the display settings for the type of display device you are using. For more information, review the FAQ topic at www.gateway.com . You want to change display settings to get better TV or DVD image quality •Adjust the display device brightness, contrast, hue, and saturation. For more information review the FAQ topic at www.gateway.com . You want to know whether you can burn videos that were recorded with your Media Center computer to a DVD •Yes, you can. The Media Center saves recorded videos in the DVR-MS format. You can burn a DVR-MS file to a DVD with DVD recording (burning) software, such as Power2Go, and with the Media Center itself.
CHAPTER9: Troubleshooting 108 You want to know whether you can play recorded videos on other computers •Yes, you can. A DVR-MS file recorded to DVD can be replayed on another Media Center computer or on a non-Media Center computer that has a DVD player and DVD decoder software (such as PowerDVD). The non-Media Center computer must also have Windows Vista or Windows XP with Service Pack (SP) 1 or 2, Windows Media Player 9 or later, and the Windows patch Q810243 Update. You want to know whether you can play recorded videos on your home DVD player •Yes, you can. DVDs recorded with the Media Center can be played on a home DVD player. Memory You see a “Memory error” message •Make sure that the memory module is inserted correctly in the memory bay slot. For more information about installing memory, see “Adding or replacing memory modules” on page 85. •Use a third-party diagnostic program to help determine if a memory module is failing. You see a “Not enough memory” error message •Close all programs, then restart your notebook. Memory card reader Drive letter for the memory card slot does not appear in the My Computer window •Reboot your notebook.Help For more information about troubleshooting memory errors, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword memory error in the Search box, then press E NTER.
www.gateway.com 109 Modem (cable or DSL) The modem does not connect •Make sure that the modem cable is plugged into the Ethernet network jack and not the modem jack. For the location of your network jack, see “Right” on page 8. •See the documentation that came with your modem for additional troubleshooting information. Modem (dial-up) Your modem does not dial or does not connect •Make sure that the modem cable is plugged into the modem jack and not the Ethernet network jack. For the location of your modem jack, see “Right” on page 8. •Make sure that your notebook is connected to the telephone line and the telephone line has a dial tone. •Make sure that the modem cable is less than 6 feet (1.8 meters) long. •Remove any line splitters or surge protectors from your telephone line, then check for a dial tone by plugging a working telephone into the telephone wall jack. •If you have additional telephone services such as call waiting, call messaging, or voice mail, make sure that all messages are cleared and call waiting is disabled before using the modem. Contact your telephone service to get the correct code to temporarily disable the service. Also make sure that the modem dialing properties are set appropriately. To check the dialing properties: 1Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Printers and Other Hardware. 2Click/double-click the Phone and Modem Options icon, then click the Dialing Rules tab. Help For more information about dialing properties, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword dialing in the Search box, then press E NTER.
CHAPTER9: Troubleshooting 110 3Click the location from which you are dialing, then click Edit. 4Make sure that all settings are correct. •Disconnect any answering machine, fax machine, or printer that is on the same line as the modem. Do not connect these devices to the same telephone line as the modem. •Make sure that you are not using a digital, rollover, or PBX line. These lines do not work with your modem. •Check for line noise (scratchy, crackling, or popping sounds). Line noise is a common problem that can cause the modem to connect at a slower rate, abort downloads, or even disconnect. The faster the modem, the less line noise it can tolerate and still work correctly. Listen to the line using your telephone. Dial a single number (such as 1). When the dial tone stops, listen for line noise. Wiggle the modem cable to see if that makes a difference. Make sure that the connectors are free from corrosion and all screws in the wall or telephone wall jack are secure. You can also call your telephone service and have the telephone line checked for noise or low line levels. •Try another telephone line (either a different telephone number in your house or a telephone line at a different location). If you can connect on this line, call your telephone service to fix the original line. •Try connecting with the modem at a lower connection speed. If reducing the connect speed lets you connect, call your telephone service. The telephone line may be too noisy. You cannot connect to the Internet •The ISP may be having technical difficulties. Contact your ISP for technical support. •See if the modem works with a different communications program. The problem may be with just one program. •Review the troubleshooting information under “Internet” on page 103.
www.gateway.com 111 Your 56K modem does not connect at 56K •Current FCC regulations restrict actual data transfer rates over public telephone lines to 53K. Other factors, such as line noise, telephone service provider equipment, or ISP limitations, may lower the speed even further. If your notebook has a v.90 modem, the speed at which you can upload (send) data is limited to 33.6K. If your notebook has a v.92 modem, the speed at which you can upload data is limited to 48K. Your ISP may not support 48K uploads. Your fax communications program only sends and receives faxes at 14,400 bps when you have a 56K modem •Current fax technology only supports a maximum send and receive rate of 14,400 bps. The modem is not recognized by your notebook •Make sure that the line connected to the modem is working and plugged into the appropriate port on your notebook. For the location of your modem jack, see “Right” on page 8. •If the modem shares the telephone line with another device, make sure that the telephone line is not in use (for example, someone is on the telephone, or another modem is in use). •Use a different modem cable. Some telephone cables do not meet required cable standards and may cause problems with the modem connection. •Shut down and restart your notebook. •Run Windows modem diagnostics. To run modem diagnostics: 1Close all open programs. 2Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Printers and Other Hardware. 3Click/double-click the Phone and Modem Options icon, then click the Modems tab. 4Click your modem, then click Properties. The Modem Properties dialog box opens.
CHAPTER9: Troubleshooting 112 5Click the Diagnostic tab, then click Query Modem. If information about the modem appears, the modem passed diagnostics. If no modem information is available, a white screen appears with no data, or if you get an error such as port already open or the modem has failed to respond, the modem did not pass diagnostics. The modem is noisy when it dials and connects •When your modem tries to connect to another modem, it begins handshaking. Handshaking is a digital “getting acquainted” conversation between the two modems that establishes connection speeds and communication protocols. You may hear unusual handshaking sounds when the modems first connect. If the handshaking sounds are too loud, you can turn down the modem volume. To turn down the modem volume: 1Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click p Printers and Other Hardware. 2Click/double-click the Phone and Modem Options icon, then click the Modems tab. 3Click the modem you want to adjust, then click Properties. 4Click the Modem tab, then adjust the Speaker volume control. 5Click OK twice to close the Phone and Modem Options dialog box. Mouse See also “Touchpad” on page 121. Help For more information about modem troubleshooting, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword modem troubleshooting in the Search box, then press E NTER.