Quick Reference Guide
Table Of Contents
- Contents
- About This Reference
- Checking Out Your Computer
- Setting Up and Getting Started
- Working safely and comfortably
- Preparing power connections
- Connecting to a broadband modem or network
- Connecting a dial-up modem
- Starting your computer
- Turning off your computer
- Restarting (rebooting) your computer
- Using the keyboard
- Using the mouse
- Adjusting the volume
- Configuring the audio jacks
- Installing a printer, scanner, or other device
- Setting up RAID
- Upgrading Your Computer
- Preventing static electricity discharge
- Opening the case
- Closing the case
- Adding or replacing memory
- Replacing the system battery
- Adding or replacing an optical disc drive
- Adding or replacing an optional diskette drive
- Adding or replacing the memory card reader
- Adding or replacing a harddrive
- Replacing the front fan
- Replacing the rear fan
- Replacing the power supply
- Replacing the heat sink and processor
- Replacing the I/O board
- Adding or replacing an expansion card
- Replacing the system board
- Maintaining Your Computer
- Troubleshooting
- Safety guidelines
- First steps
- Troubleshooting
- Add-in cards
- Audio
- CD or DVD drives
- DVD drives
- Ethernet
- File management
- Hard drive
- Internet
- Keyboard
- Media Center
- The Media Center video display looks bad on your TV
- You need to configure your Media Center computer to output to aTV
- You want to change display settings to get better TV or DVD image quality
- You want to know whether you can burn programs that were recorded with your Media Center computer...
- You want to know whether you can play recorded programs on other computers
- You want to know whether you can play recorded programs on your home DVD player
- You get a “Download Error” message when the Media Center tries to update the Program Guide:
- Memory
- Memory card reader
- Modem (cable or DSL)
- Modem (dial-up)
- Your modem does not dial or does not connect
- You cannot connect to the Internet
- Your 56K modem does not connect at 56K
- Your fax communications program only sends and receives faxes at 14,400bps when you have a 56K m...
- The modem is not recognized by your computer
- The modem is noisy when it dials and connects
- Monitor
- Mouse
- Networks
- Passwords
- Power
- Printer
- Sound
- Recovering your system
- Recovering pre-installed software and drivers
- Using Microsoft System Restore
- Recovering your system to its factory condition
- Recovering your system using the WindowsDVD
- Telephone support
- Legal Notices
- Index
CHAPTER 6: Troubleshooting
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Safety guidelines
While troubleshooting your computer, follow these safety
guidelines:
First steps
If you have problems with your computer, try these things
first:
• Make sure that the power cord is connected to your
computer 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.
Warning
Never remove your computer case cover while your computer is turned
on and while the modem cable, network cable, and power cord are connected.
Warning
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 40.
Warning
To avoid bodily injury, do not attempt to troubleshoot your computer
problem if:
- Power cords or plugs are damaged
- Liquid has been spilled into your computer
- Your computer was dropped
- The case was damaged
Instead, unplug your computer and contact a qualified computer technician.
8512066.book Page 90 Tuesday, January 16, 2007 11:02 AM