Gateway P-6825 Manual
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www.gateway.com 123 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. Age of the TV—Newer TVs usually have more advanced features, produce a better quality picture, and support higher screen resolutions. The video display will likely be better on a newer model TV. Ty p e o f T V (interlaced or progressive scan) Many CRT (tube) 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 notebook 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 functions. The progressive scan picture is also brighter and easier on your eyes. You need to configure your notebook to output to a TV In Media Center mode, your notebook detects whether you are using a VGA or an HDMI 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 .
CHAPTER 9: Troubleshooting 124 You want to know whether you can burn videos that were recorded in Media Center mode 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. 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 computer with Media Center or on a computer without Media Center provided that it has a DVD player and DVD decoder software (such as PowerDVD) . The computer without Media Center 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 103. Use the Memory Diagnostics Tool to help determine if a memory module is failing. To check the memory: 1Click (Start), then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. 2Click System and Maintenance. 3Click Administrative Tools. 4Double-click Memory Diagnostics Tool, then follow the on-screen instructions. Help For more information about troubleshooting memory errors, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword memory error in the Search Help box, then press E NTER.
www.gateway.com 125 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. 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 optional modem jack and not the Ethernet network jack. For the location of your modem jack, see “Back” on page 9. 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. Help For more information about dialing properties, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword dialing in the Search Help box, then press E NTER.
CHAPTER 9: Troubleshooting 126 To check the dialing properties: 1Click (Start), then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. 2Click Hardware and Sound. 3Click the Phone and Modem Options. The Phone and Modem Options dialog box opens. 4Click the Dialing Rules tab. 5Click the location from which you are dialing, then click Edit. The Edit Location dialog box opens. 6Make 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.
www.gateway.com 127 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 119. 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 “Back” on page 9. 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. 3Click Hardware and Sound.
CHAPTER 9: Troubleshooting 128 4Click Phone and Modem Options. The Phone and Modem Options dialog box opens. 5Click the Modems tab. 6Click your modem, then click Properties. The Modem Properties dialog box opens. 7Click 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. 2Click Hardware and Sound. 3Click Phone and Modem Options. The Phone and Modem Options dialog box opens. 4Click the Modems tab. 5Click the modem you want to adjust, then click Properties. The Modem Properties dialog box opens. 6Click the Modem tab, then adjust the Speaker volume control. 7Click OK twice to close the Phone and Modem Options dialog box. Mouse See also “Touchpad” on page 136. Help For more information about modem troubleshooting, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword modem troubleshooting in the Search Help box, then press E NTER.
www.gateway.com 129 The external mouse does not work Make sure that the mouse cable is plugged in correctly. Shut down and restart your notebook. Remove all extension cables and switch boxes. Try a mouse you know is working to make sure that the mouse port works. The external mouse works erratically Clean the mouse. Some mouse pad patterns “confuse” optical mice. Try the mouse on a different surface. Networks (wired) You cannot see the other computers on your wired Ethernet network Make sure that your Ethernet cable is plugged into the Ethernet jack on your notebook. Make sure that the other end is plugged into a router. For the location of your network jack, see “Right” on page 8. Make sure that all computers are plugged into a powered electrical outlet and turned on. Make sure that the router is plugged into a powered electrical outlet and turned on. Most routers have lights that indicate they are working. For more information, see the documentation that came with your router. Make sure that all computers on your network have the same workgroup name. Make sure that all computers are using the same Subnet Mask. If you assigned IP addresses to the computers, make sure that all computers have different IP addresses. For home networks, IP addresses should be 192.168.N.N where N is a number you assign between 0 and 254. The first N should be the same for all computers on your network and the second N should be different for all computers on your network. Help For more information about network troubleshooting, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword network troubleshooting in the Search Help box, then press E NTER.
CHAPTER 9: Troubleshooting 130 Your wired Ethernet network is running slower than you expect If your Ethernet network is running slower than you expect, check the speed of each Ethernet component. For best results, all Ethernet components should be standard Ethernet (10 Mbps), Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps or 10/100 Mbps), or Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Mbps or 10/100/1000 Mbps). A mixture of Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and Gigabit Ethernet components will result in your network running at the slowest component speed. You cannot connect to your company network Every network is unique. Contact your company computer department or network administrator for help. Internet Explorer is unable to access the Internet Reset the power on your cable or DSL modem and your access point. This reestablishes communication between your Internet Service Provider and your modem and between your modem and your access point. If you previously accessed the Internet through a dial-up modem, Internet Explorer may not be set up to access the Internet through a network. Remove the dial-up connection in the Internet Options in Internet Explorer. You cannot connect to your home network If your notebook is a member of a domain at your workplace, you may not be able to connect your notebook to your home network workgroup to access share d files or printers on you r home network. You may, however, be able to access the Internet through your home network. Every home network is unique. See the documentation that came with your network equipment for troubleshooting information.Caution If your notebook was a member of a domain before you join a workgroup, it is disjoined from the domain and your computer account disabled. Contact your company computer department or network administrator for more information.
www.gateway.com 131 Networks (wireless) You turned wireless networking on, but it takes a while to connect When wireless networking is turned on, it automatically scans for available connections. The scan can take approximately 30 seconds to complete. Your connection on the network seems intermittent or your wireless network is running slower than you expect The speed of a wireless network is related to signal strength. Signal strength is affected by the distance between your wireless network devices, by radio interference, and by interference from natural obstructions such as walls, ceilings, floors, and doors. If your wireless network is running slower than you expect, you should check your network signal strength. If you find the signal strength is low, try moving to a new location to increase the signal strength. To check the signal strength: 1Click (Start), right-click Network, then click Properties. The Network and Sharing Center window opens. 2Click View status for the network connection. The Wireless Network Connection Status dialog box opens. The meter shows the signal strength for wireless networking on your computer if other computers with the same network name are within range of your computer. You are in a wireless network, you can see the network, but cannot communicate, send files, print, or get to the Web If your access point uses WEP, go to the Wireless Networking Properties window and make sure that both the WAP and the WLAN in the computer have matching WEP keys.Important Note any antenna placement constraints in the access point user guide because the speed of a wireless network is related to signal strength. Signal strength is affected by the distance between your wireless network devices, by radio interference, and by interference from natural obstructions such as walls, floors, and doors.
CHAPTER 9: Troubleshooting 132 You are in a wireless network, but no available networks are listed in the Connect to a network dialog box If the network you are attempting to access does not broadcast its SSID, you need to request the SSID from the administrator and add that network’s information into the wireless utility. You may want to try entering ANY as the SSID, which will make the computer try to auto-detect the network. Your wireless network is listed as a preferred network, but it has an “x” on it An x means your preferred network is not currently available or you are not currently in range to connect. Internet Explorer is unable to access the Internet Reset the power on your cable or DSL modem and your access point. This reestablishes communication between your Internet Service Provider and your modem and between your modem and your access point. If you previously accessed the Internet through a dial-up modem, Internet Explorer may not be set up to access the Internet through a network. Remove the dial-up connection in the Internet Options in Internet Explorer. You cannot see other computers on your network Your notebook may not have the same workgroup name as the other computers on your network. For more information, see “Naming the computers and workgroup” in your online User Guide. If your notebook was previously connected directly to your cable or DSL modem, and your ISP requires you to use a static IP address, your notebook is not set up to use a DHCP server. Modify the network properties so your notebook is set up for using a DHCP server. You cannot connect to your network If your notebook is a member of a domain at your workplace, you may not be able to connect your notebook to your home network workgroup to access share d files or printers on you r home network. You may, however, be able to access the Internet through your home network. Caution If your notebook was a member of a domain before you join a workgroup, it is disjoined from the domain and your computer account disabled. Contact your company computer department or network administrator for more information.