Gateway m275 User Manual
Have a look at the manual Gateway m275 User Manual online for free. It’s possible to download the document as PDF or print. UserManuals.tech offer 54 Gateway manuals and user’s guides for free. Share the user manual or guide on Facebook, Twitter or Google+.
281 First steps www.gateway.com First steps If you have problems with your convertible tablet PC, try these things first: ■Make sure that the AC power adapter is connected to your convertible tablet PC and an AC outlet and that the AC outlet is supplying power. ■If you use a power strip or surge protector, make sure that it is turned on. ■If a peripheral device (such as a keyboard or mouse) does not work, make sure that all connections are secure. ■Make sure that your hard drive is not full. ■If an error message appears on the screen, write down the exact message. The message may help Gateway Technical Support in diagnosing and fixing the problem. ■If you added or removed peripheral devices, review the installation procedures you performed and make sure that you followed each instruction. ■If an error occurs in a program, see the program’s printed documentation or the online help. Software support tools Your convertible tablet PC may include the following support tool to help you diagnose and fix problems: ■PC Doctor is a comprehensive hardware diagnostic and system information tool that can test your convertible tablet PC and determine its configuration. PC Doctor provides 85 professional diagnostic tests directly from your convertible tablet PC. This support tool is available by clicking/tapping Start, All Programs, then clicking/tapping Gateway Utilities. Help and SupportFor more information about troubleshooting, click/tap Start, then click/tap Help and Support. Type the keyword troubleshooting in the Search box , then click/tap the arrow.
282 Chapter 17: Troubleshooting www.gateway.com Troubleshooting Audio See “Sound” on page 302. Battery See “Power” on page 299. Device installation You have computer problems after adding a new device Sometimes a new device, such as a PC Card, can cause a system resource (IRQ) conflict. Check IRQ usage to determine if there is an IRQ conflict. To check IRQ usage: 1Click/Tap Start, then click/tap Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click/tap Performance and Maintenance. 2Click/Double-click/Tap/Double-tap System, click/tap the Hardware tab, then click/tap Device Manager. The Device Manager window opens. 3Click/Tap View, then click/tap Resources by type. Double-click/Double-tap Interrupt request (IRQ). All IRQs and their hardware assignments are displayed. Help and SupportFor more information about IRQs, click/tap Start, then click/tap Help and Support. Type the keyword IRQs in the Search box , then click/tap the arrow.
283 Troubleshooting www.gateway.com To free IRQ resources for the new device: 1In the Device Manager window, check the device list for a resource conflict. A resource conflict appears as a black exclamation point in a yellow circle. 2Remove the device you are trying to install, then determine which one of the existing devices or ports you can disable. 3Right-click/Button-tap the device or port you want to disable, then click/tap Disable. The device or port is disabled. Diskette drive (external) The diskette drive is not recognized ■Shut down and restart your convertible tablet PC. ■The USB cable may not be inserted completely into the USB port. Press the cable into the port, then try to access the diskette again. You see an “Access Denied” or “Write protect” error message ■Move the write-protection tab in the upper-right corner of the diskette down (unprotected). ■The diskette may be full. Delete unnecessary files on the diskette and try again. ■Not all diskettes are IBM-compatible. Make sure that the diskette you are using is IBM-compatible. ■Try a different diskette. Occasionally diskettes are flawed and cannot be read by the diskette drive. You see a “Disk is full” error message ■Delete unnecessary files on the diskette. ■Try a different diskette. Occasionally diskettes are flawed and cannot be read by the diskette drive. ■Run Error checking on the diskette. For more information, see “Checking the hard drive for errors” on page 231. If errors are detected and corrected, try using the diskette again.
284 Chapter 17: Troubleshooting www.gateway.com You see a “Non-system disk”, “NTLDR is missing”, or “Disk error” error message ■Eject the diskette from the diskette drive, then press ENTER. ■Make sure that the diskette you are using is IBM-compatible. The diskette drive status indicator is lit continuously Remove the diskette from the drive. If the indicator stays on, try restarting your convertible tablet PC. Display The screen is too dark Adjust the brightness using the system keys. For more information, see “System key combinations” on page 30. The screen resolution is not correct Change the screen resolution from the Display Properties dialog box. For more information, see “Adjusting the screen resolution” on page 184. The text on the display is dim or difficult to read ■Adjust the brightness and contrast using the system keys. For more information, see “System key combinations” on page 30. ■Change the display settings. For more information, see “Adjusting the screen and desktop settings” on page 182. ■Move your convertible tablet PC away from sources of electrical interference, such as televisions, unshielded speakers, microwaves, fluorescent lights, and metal beams or shelves. Help and SupportFor more information about changing the screen resolution, click/tap Start, then click/tap Help and Support. Type the keyword screen resolution in the Search box , then click/tap the arrow.
285 Troubleshooting www.gateway.com The display has pixels that are always dark or too bright This condition is normal and inherent in the TFT technology used in active-matrix LCD screens. Gateway’s inspection standards keep these to a minimum. If you feel these pixels are unacceptably numerous or dense on your display, contact Gateway Technical Support to identify whether a repair or replacement is justified based on the number of pixels affected. DVD or DVD/CD-RW drives Your convertible tablet PC does not recognize a disc ■The disc may not be seated correctly in the tray. When you place a disc on the tray, make sure that you press the disc firmly onto the spindle so the retainers hold the disc in place. ■The modular drive may not be inserted completely into the modular bay. Press the module into the bay, then try to access the disc again. ■Make sure that the disc label is facing up, then try again. ■Try a different disc. Occasionally discs are flawed and cannot be read by the drive. ■Some music CDs have copy protection software. You may not be able to play these CDs on your convertible tablet PC. ■Your convertible tablet PC may be experiencing some temporary memory problems. Shut down and restart your convertible tablet PC. ■Clean the disc. For more information, see “Cleaning CDs or DVDs” on page 287. An audio CD does not produce sound ■Make sure that the CD label is facing up, then try again. ■Some music CDs have copy protection software. You may not be able to play these CDs on your convertible tablet PC. ■Make sure that the volume control on your convertible tablet PC is turned up. For more information, see “System key combinations” on page 30. ■Make sure that the Windows volume control is turned up. For more information, see “Adjusting the volume” on page 102. ■Make sure that Mute controls are turned off. For more information about the mute setting, see “System key combinations” on page 30 or “Adjusting the volume” on page 102.
286 Chapter 17: Troubleshooting www.gateway.com ■Make sure that headphones are not plugged into the headphone jack. For the location of the headphone jack, see “Left Side” on page 3 and “Back” on page 274. ■If you are using powered speakers, make sure that they are plugged in and turned on. ■Clean the CD. For more information, see “Cleaning CDs or DVDs” on page 287. ■Your convertible tablet PC may be experiencing some temporary memory problems. Shut down and restart your convertible tablet PC. ■Reinstall the audio device drivers. For more information, see “Reinstalling device drivers” on page 243. A DVD movie will not play ■Make sure that the label or side you want to play is facing up, then try again. ■Shut down and restart your convertible tablet PC. ■Clean the DVD. For more information, see “Cleaning CDs or DVDs” on page 287. ■DVD discs and drives contain regional codes that help control DVD title exports and help reduce illegal disc distribution. To be able to play a DVD, the disc’s regional code and your DVD drive’s regional code must match. The regional code on your DVD drive is determined by your convertible tablet PC’s delivery address. The regional code for the United States and Canada is 1. The regional code for Mexico is 4. Your DVD drive’s regional code must match the regional code of the disc. The regional code for the disc is on the disc, disc documentation, or packaging. If the DVD movie does not play, the disc’s regional code and your DVD drive’s regional code may not match. ■Make sure that the InterVideo program has been installed on your convertible tablet PC. See “Playing a DVD” on page 124 for more information. A DVD does not produce sound on a TV ■Audio is not transmitted through the S-Video out jack. Use the built-in speakers, a set of headphones or external powered speakers, or connect your convertible tablet PC to a stereo system to hear sound while playing a DVD.
287 Troubleshooting www.gateway.com Cleaning CDs or DVDs Wipe from the center to the edge, not around in a circle, using a product made especially for the purpose. File management A file was accidentally deleted If a file was deleted at a DOS prompt or in Windows while holding down the S HIFT key, the file cannot be restored. To restore deleted files: 1Double-click/Double-tap the Recycle Bin icon. 2Right-click/Button-tap the file you want to restore, then click/tap Restore. The file is restored to the place where it was originally deleted from. If the Recycle Bin was emptied before you tried to restore a file, the file cannot be restored. Help and SupportFor more information about restoring deleted files, click/tap Start, then click/tap Help and Support. Type the keyword System Restore in the Search box , then click/tap the arrow.
288 Chapter 17: Troubleshooting www.gateway.com Hard drive You see an “Insufficient disk space” error message ■Delete unnecessary files from the hard drive using Disk Cleanup. For more information, see “Using Disk Cleanup” on page 230. ■Empty the Recycle Bin by right-clicking/button-tapping the Recycle Bin icon, then clicking/tapping Empty Recycle Bin. ■Save your files to a diskette or another drive. If the hard drive is full, copy any files not regularly used to diskettes or other backup media, then delete them from the hard drive. You see a “Data error” message This may be the result of a defective area on the hard drive. To fix hard drive problems, run the Error checking program. For more information, see “Checking the hard drive for errors” on page 231. 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 convertible tablet PC. ■Make sure that the hard drive is installed correctly. Remove it, firmly reinsert it, then restart your convertible tablet PC. For more information, see “Replacing the hard drive kit” on page 267. ■If your convertible tablet PC has been subjected to static electricity or physical shock, you may need to reinstall the operating system. CautionAll deleted files will be lost when you empty the Recycle Bin. Help and SupportFor more information about file management, click/tap Start, then click/tap Help and Support. Type the keyword file management in the Search box , then click/tap the arrow.
289 Troubleshooting www.gateway.com You see a “Non-system disk”, “NTLDR is missing”, or “disk” error message ■Eject the diskette from the diskette drive, then press ENTER. Interface/Ports The buttons on the convertible tablet PC’s LCD panel do not do what they are supposed to ■The button functions have been changed. Reset button functions in the Buttons tab of the Tablet and Pen Settings dialog box. For more information, see “Programming the buttons” on page 190. The convertible tablet PC does not recognize the PC Card ■The card is incorrectly inserted. Eject the card and re-insert it with the label side up. For more information, see “Adding and removing a PC Card” on page 252. The convertible tablet PC does not recognize a USB or 1394 peripheral device ■The peripheral device is not connected to the convertible tablet PC correctly. Check the connection cable, and be sure it is inserted in the correct port on the convertible tablet PC and the peripheral device. ■The correct driver is not built into Windows XP. Use the device’s installation CD or check the manufacturer’s Web site for the correct driver. Internet You cannot connect to the Internet ■Make sure that the modem cable is plugged into the modem jack and not the Ethernet network jack. See “Right Side” on page 5 to make sure that the connections have been made correctly. ■Make sure that your convertible tablet PC is connected to the telephone line and the telephone line has a dial tone. ■If you have the call waiting feature on your telephone line, make sure that it is disabled. ■Make sure that you are not using a digital, rollover, or PBX line. These lines do not work with your modem.
290 Chapter 17: Troubleshooting www.gateway.com ■Make sure that your account with your Internet service provider (ISP) is set up correctly. Contact your ISP technical support for help. ■Make sure that you do not have a problem with your modem. For more information, see “Modem (dial-up)” on page 292 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 convertible tablet PC People are sending you e-mail messages, but you have not received any mail ■Click/Tap 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. Help and SupportFor more information about troubleshooting Internet connections, click/tap Start, then click/tap Help and Support. Type the keyword troubleshooting connections in the Search box , then click/tap the arrow.