Gateway m505 User Manual
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241 Replacing the hard drive kit www.gateway.com 9Remove the bracket from the old drive. 10Insert the new drive into the bracket so the screw holes line up. 11Replace the two screws that secure the bracket to the drive. 12Slide the new hard drive kit into the bay. 13Replace the screws that secure the hard drive kit to your notebook. 14Insert the battery and turn your notebook over. 15Connect the power adapter and modem and network cables, then turn on your notebook. 16See “Reinstalling Windows” on page 225 for instructions on installing Windows, your drivers, and your applications.
242 Chapter 15: Upgrading Your Gateway M505 www.gateway.com
16 243 Troubleshooting This chapter provides some solutions to common notebook problems. Read this chapter to learn how to: ■Troubleshoot typical hardware and software problems ■Get telephone support ■Use automated troubleshooting systems ■Get tutoring and training If the suggestions in this chapter do not correct the problem, see “Getting Help” on page 39 for more information about how to get help.
244 Chapter 16: Troubleshooting www.gateway.com Safety guidelines While troubleshooting your notebook, follow these safety guidelines: ■Never remove the memory bay cover or the hard drive if your notebook is turned on, the battery is installed, or while the modem cable, network cable, or AC power adapter are connected to the notebook. ■Make sure that you are correctly grounded before accessing internal components. For more information about preventing damage from static electricity, see “Preventing static electricity discharge” on page 232. ■After you complete any maintenance tasks where you remove the memory bay cover or hard drive kit, make sure that you replace the cover or hard drive kit, reinstall any screws, then replace the battery before you start your notebook. WarningDo not try to troubleshoot your problem if power cords or plugs are damaged, if your notebook was dropped, or if the case was damaged. Instead, unplug your notebook and contact a qualified computer technician.
245 First steps www.gateway.com First steps If you have problems with your notebook, try these things first: ■Make sure that the AC power adapter is connected to your notebook 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 notebook 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 notebook and determine its configuration. PC Doctor provides 85 professional diagnostic tests directly from your notebook. This support tool is available by clicking Start, All Programs, then clicking Gateway Utilities. Help and SupportFor more information about troubleshooting in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword troubleshooting in the Search box , then click the arrow.
246 Chapter 16: Troubleshooting www.gateway.com Troubleshooting Audio See “Sound” on page 265. Battery See “Power” on page 262. 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 Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Performance and Maintenance . 2Click/Double-click System, click the Hardware tab, then click Device Manager . The Device Manager window opens. 3Click View, then click Resources by type. Double-click Interrupt request (IRQ) . All IRQs and their hardware assignments are displayed. Help and SupportFor more information about IRQs in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword IRQs in the Search box , then click the arrow.
247 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 the device or port you want to disable, then click Disable. The device or port is disabled. Diskette drive (external) The diskette drive is not recognized ■Shut down and restart your notebook. ■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 209. If errors are detected and corrected, try using the diskette again.
248 Chapter 16: 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 notebook. 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 168. 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 166. ■Move your notebook away from sources of electrical interference, such as televisions, unshielded speakers, microwaves, fluorescent lights, and metal beams or shelves. 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. Help and SupportFor more information about changing the screen resolution in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword screen resolution in the Search box , then click the arrow.
249 Troubleshooting www.gateway.com DVD/CD-RW or DVD-RW/CD-RW drive Your notebook does not recognize a disc ■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 notebook. ■Your notebook may be experiencing some temporary memory problems. Shut down and restart your notebook. ■Clean the disc. For more information, see “Cleaning CDs or DVDs” on page 251. 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 notebook. ■Make sure that the volume control on your notebook is turned up. For more information, see “System key combinations” on page 30 or “Using the audio/video controls” on page 97. ■Make sure that the Windows volume control is turned up. For more information, see “Adjusting the volume” on page 90. ■Make sure that Mute controls are turned off. For more information about the mute setting, see “System key combinations” on page 30, “Using the audio/video controls” on page 97, or “Adjusting the volume” on page 90. ■Make sure that headphones are not plugged into the headphone jack. For the location of the headphone jack, see “Left side” on page 3. ■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 251. ■Your notebook may be experiencing some temporary memory problems. Shut down and restart your notebook. ■Reinstall the audio device drivers. For more information, see “Reinstalling device drivers” on page 220.
250 Chapter 16: Troubleshooting www.gateway.com 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 notebook. ■Clean the DVD. For more information, see “Cleaning CDs or DVDs” on page 251. ■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/CD-RW or DVD-RW/CD-RW drive’s regional code must match. The regional code on your DVD/CD-RW or DVD-RW/CD-RW drive is determined by your notebook’s delivery address. The regional code for the United States and Canada is 1. The regional code for Mexico is 4. Your DVD/CD-RW or DVD-RW/CD-RW 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/CD-RW or DVD-RW/CD-RW drive’s regional code may not match. ■Make sure that the InterVideo program has been installed on your notebook. See “Playing a DVD” on page 116 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 notebook to a stereo system to hear sound while playing a DVD.