Home » Gateway Manuals » Laptops » Gateway MX3420 » Manual Viewer

Gateway MX3420 8511264 - User Guide Gateway Computer - Page 156

Safety guidelines, First steps, Troubleshooting, Audio, Battery, CD drives

Add to My Manuals
Save this manual to your list of manuals

Page 156 highlights

CHAPTER 14: Troubleshooting www.gateway.com Safety guidelines Warning Do 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. Tips & Tricks For more information about preventing damage from static electricity, see the hardware guide. While troubleshooting your notebook, follow these safety guidelines: ■ Never remove the memory bay or hard drive bay cover while your notebook is turned on, while the battery(ies) is installed, and while the modem cable, network cable, and AC power adapter are connected to your notebook. ■ Make sure that you are correctly grounded before accessing internal components. ■ After you complete any maintenance tasks where you remove the memory bay or hard drive bay cover, make sure that you replace the cover, reinstall any screws, then replace the battery(ies) before you start your notebook. First steps Help and Support For more information about troubleshooting, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword troubleshooting in the Search box, then click the arrow. 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 Customer Care 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. Troubleshooting Audio Battery CD drives 148 Audio troubleshooting is covered under "Sound" on page 165. Battery troubleshooting is covered under "Power" on page 164. CD drive troubleshooting is covered under "DVD drives" on page 151.

Section	Page
Contents	3
Getting Help	9
Thank you for purchasing our notebook!	10
Gateway Web site	10
Using Support	11
Support Home	11
Product Support	11
Downloads	11
Customer Service	11
Upgrade Center	11
Resources	11
Contact Us	11
Help and Support	12
Searching for a topic	12
Getting help in Media Center	13
BigFix	14
Online help	14
Using WindowsXP	15
About the Windows desktop	16
Using the Start menu	17
Adding icons to the desktop	17
Identifying window items	18
Using Windows XP TabletPC 2005	19
Using Tablet PC extensions	19
Calibration	19
Gestures	20
Pen button	20
Tips	20
Tablet Input Panel (TIP)	21
Using speech recognition	22
Working with files and folders	22
Viewing drives	22
Creating folders	23
Copying and moving files and folders	24
Deleting files and folders	25
Browsing for files and folders	26
Searching for files	27
Using the Windows Search utility	27
Using advanced search options	28
Working with documents	29
Creating a new document	29
Saving a document	30
Opening a document	31
Printing a document	31
Shortcuts	32
Recovering Your System	33
System recovery options	34
Drivers and applications recovery	34
Creating drivers and applications recovery discs	35
Copying drivers and applications recovery files to a network	36
Creating discs from recovery files on a network	37
Recovering your system	38
Recovering specific files and software	39
Recovering your system using Microsoft System Restore	40
Recovering your system from the hard drive	41
Using the Internet	43
Learning about the Internet	44
Setting up an Internet account	45
Accessing your Internet account	45
Using the WorldWideWeb	45
Connecting to a Website	46
Downloading files	47
Using e-mail	47
Sending e-mail	48
Checking your e-mail	48
Protecting your notebook	49
Hardware security	50
Kensington lock slot	50
CompuTrace	50
Data security	51
Trusted Platform Module (TPM)	51
Computrace	51
Notebook startup and hard drive password	51
Windows XP user accounts	51
Protecting your notebook from viruses	52
Using McAfee SecurityCenter	53
Starting McAfee SecurityCenter	54
Scanning for and removing viruses	54
Updating your virus definitions	55
Using Windows XP Security Center	56
Modifying security settings	56
Security updates	57
Windows Update	57
Windows XP Security Center	57
BigFix	59
Traveling securely	59
Connecting Devices	61
Installing a printer, scanner, digital camera, or other peripheral device	62
Installing a USB printer or scanner	62
Installing a parallel port printer	62
Viewing the display on a projector or monitor	63
Viewing the display on a television	64
Modifying television settings	66
Connecting a video camera to your notebook	66
Using an optional port replicator	67
Using Multimedia	69
Adjusting the volume	70
Playing music and movies	72
Playing WAV audio files	72
Playing audio and video files	73
Playing CDs or DVDs	74
Playing a CD or DVD using Windows Media Player	74
Playing a DVD using CyberLink PowerDVD	76
Creating audio files and music libraries	77
Creating music files	77
Recording WAV audio files	77
Creating WMA and MP3 music files using Windows Media Player	77
Building a music library	79
Editing track information	79
Creating and editing videos	80
Editing videos	80
Transferring your video to your notebook	81
Editing your video	82
Saving your video	82
Creating music CDs and video DVDs	83
Creating a music CD	83
Creating a music CD using Windows Media Player	83
Creating a music CD using CyberLink Power2Go	84
Creating a video DVD	86
Creating a video DVD using CyberLink Power2Go	87
Creating and copying data CDs and DVDs	90
Creating a data CD or DVD	90
Copying a CD or DVD	93
Advanced multimedia software features	95
Windows Media Player advanced features	95
CyberLink Power2Go advanced features	95
Managing Power	97
Monitoring the battery charge	98
Recharging the battery	98
Extending battery life	98
Conserving battery power	98
Using alternate power sources	99
Changing power modes	99
Using power saving modes	99
Changing notebook power settings	100
Changing the power scheme	100
Changing alarm options	101
Changing advanced settings	102
Activating and using Hibernate mode	103
Wireless Networking	105
Wireless networking	106
Buying wireless equipment	106
Setting up your wireless network	107
Making sure your broadband connection works	107
Setting up your access point	107
SecureEasySetup	107
Setting up your notebook	108
Naming your computers and workgroup	108
Turning the wireless radio on	108
Connecting to your network	109
Testing your network	110
Sharing resources	110
Sharing drives and printers	110
Sharing drives or folders	110
Un-sharing drives and folders	111
Sharing printers	112
Using the network	113
Viewing shared drives and folders	113
Mapping a network drive	113
Opening files across the network	114
Copying files across the network	114
Printing files across the network	114
Connecting to hotspots	115
Adding devices to your network	115
Adding a desktop computer to your network	115
Adding a printer to your network	115
Sending and Receiving Faxes	117
Installing and configuring Fax	118
Installing Fax	118
Configuring Fax	119
Sending a simple fax	121
Setting up your cover page template	122
Faxing from programs	122
Faxing a scanned document	123
Receiving and viewing a fax	123
Canceling a fax	123
Automatically retry sending a fax	124
Automatically canceling a fax	124
Customizing Your notebook	125
Adjusting the screen and desktop settings	126
Adjusting the color depth	126
Adjusting the screen resolution	127
Changing the colors on your Windows desktop	128
Changing the desktop background	129
Selecting a screen saver	130
Using an extended desktop	131
Changing the mouse, touchpad, or pointing device settings	132
Changing mouse settings	132
Changing touchpad or pointing device settings	133
Adjusting tablet and pen settings	134
Programming the buttons	135
Adjusting the Tablet PC Input Panel Settings	135
Adding and modifying user accounts	136
User account tips	136
Modifying security settings	137
Maintaining Your Notebook	139
Caring for your notebook	140
Cleaning your notebook	140
Cleaning the exterior	141
Cleaning the keyboard	141
Cleaning the notebook screen	141
Cleaning CDs or DVDs	141
Protecting your notebook from viruses	141
Updating Windows	142
Using BigFix	142
Managing hard drive space	143
Checking hard drive space	143
Deleting unnecessary files	144
Checking the hard drive for errors	144
Defragmenting the hard drive	145
Backing up files	146
Scheduling maintenance tasks	147
Moving from Your Old Computer	147
Using the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard	147
Transferring files	148
Finding your files	148
Transferring Internet settings	149
Setting up your ISP	149
Transferring your e-mail and address book	149
Transferring your Internet shortcuts	149
Installing your old printer or scanner	150
Installing your old programs	150
Traveling with Your Notebook	151
Packing your notebook	152
Traveling by air	152
Dial-up modem	152
Radio frequency wireless connections	152
Files	153
Security	153
Power	153
Additional tips	154
Troubleshooting	155
Safety guidelines	156
First steps	156
Troubleshooting	156
Audio	156
Battery	156
CD drives	156
Device installation	157
Diskette drive	157
Display	158
DVD drives	159
File management	160
Hard drive	161
Internet	161
Keyboard	162
Media Center	163
Memory	165
Memory card reader	165
Modem (cable or DSL)	165
Modem (dial-up)	165
Mouse	168
Networks (wired)	168
Networks (wireless)	169
Passwords	171
PCCards	171
Pen (tablet PC)	171
Pointing device	171
Power	172
Printer	172
Sound	173
Status indicators	173
Touchpad or optional pointing device	174
Video	174
Telephone support	175
Before calling Gateway Customer Care	175
Telephone numbers	175
Automated troubleshooting system	175
Telephone numbers	176
Self-help	176
Tutoring	176
Training	176
Safety and Legal Information	177
Setting up your system	178
Care during use	178
Replacement parts and accessories	179
All Rights Reserved	180
Trademark Acknowledgments	180
Macrovision statement	180
A	181
B	181
C	181
D	181
E	182
F	182
G	182
H	182
I	183
K	183
L	183
M	183
N	183
O	183
P	183
R	184
S	184
T	185
U	185
V	185
W	185
Z	186

Match case Limit results 1 per page

CHAPTER 14: Troubleshooting

www.gateway.com

148

Safety guidelines

Warning

Do 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.

Tips & Tricks

For more information about preventing

damage from static electricity, see the

hardware guide.

While troubleshooting your notebook, follow these safety guidelines:

■

Never remove the memory bay or hard drive bay cover while your

notebook is turned on, while the battery(ies) is installed, and while the

modem cable, network cable, and AC power adapter are connected to

your notebook.

■

Make sure that you are correctly grounded before accessing internal

components.

■

After you complete any maintenance tasks where you remove the memory

bay or hard drive bay cover, make sure that you replace the cover, reinstall

any screws, then replace the battery(ies) before you start your notebook.

First steps

Help and Support

For more information about

troubleshooting, click

Start

, then click

Help and Support

. Type the keyword

troubleshooting

in the

box,

then click the arrow.

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 Customer Care 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.

Troubleshooting

Audio

Audio troubleshooting is covered under

“Sound” on page 165

Battery

Battery troubleshooting is covered under

“Power” on page 164

CD drives

CD drive troubleshooting is covered under

“DVD drives” on page 151