PC Troubleshooting and Maintenance Guide
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Table of Contents PC Maintenance ........................................................................................... 1 Creating Data Backup Discs .....................................................................................1 Removing Unused Programs .....................................................................................1 Running the Disk Cleanup Program ...........................................................................1 Running the Disk Defragmenter Program ..........
iv PC Troubleshooting and Maintenance Guide
PC Maintenance This section includes information about tasks you can perform to help ensure the trouble-free operation of your PC, and to ease the recovery of important information on your PC should problems arise in the future. Creating Data Backup Discs You can use the CD or DVD burning software included on your PC to create backup discs of important information including personal files, e-mail messages, and Web site bookmarks.
Running the Disk Defragmenter Program When Windows® stores files on your hard disk drive, it often divides them into multiple pieces (or fragments) so they fit into available space on the drive. When you attempt to open a fragmented file, it must be retrieved from more than one place, so the process takes more time. The Disk Defragmenter program groups the fragmented files together on your hard disk drive to improve PC performance. This does not affect the location of files and folders on your PC.
Windows reports smaller capacity in the Windows Explorer tool and in the My Computer window because it shows information about one partition on the hard disk drive at a time. The first partition contains the System Recovery information. Recommended Maintenance Schedule Quarterly (seasonally) Daily Weekly Monthly Manage e-mail • Delete e-mail from unknown sources. • Do not open untrusted attachments. • File e-mail.
Troubleshooting PC Problems This section contains a series of tables that describe possible solutions to problems that may occur when using your PC. Each table contains: • Symptoms that describe the sign or warning message for the type of problem. • Possible solutions that describe what you should do to try to solve the problem. The troubleshooting tables appear in the following order: • Audio (Speakers are sold separately.) • Video (TV tuners are select models only.
Video Symptom Possible solution Some video files do not play. Your file may be corrupted or in an unsupported format. Open the video file in a video editor, and then resave the file in a supported format. Codec error messages appear when I play certain video files. Open the file in Windows Media Player. Ensure Windows Media Player is configured to automatically download codecs. • If the correct codec is available, the file will play.
CD and DVD Drives (continued) Symptom Possible solution I cannot create (burn) a disc. Ensure the disc is inserted with the label facing up and centered in the tray. Verify that you are using the correct disc type (media) for the drive. Try a different brand of disc. Make sure the disc is clean and undamaged. If recording stopped during a recording session, the disc may be damaged; use a different disc. Use the correct type of disc for the type of files you are recording.
CD and DVD Drives (continued) Symptom Possible solution Titles of music tracks are not displayed for the CD. The PC must be connected to the Internet for the artist, title, and track information to appear when playing music CDs. This information is not recorded on the disc. Track information may not be available for every CD. An error message appears when You may need to select the capture device if your PC has both an analog and a digital capturing video. video capture device.
Hard Disk Drive Symptom Possible solution PC seems to be locked up and not responding. Use the Windows Task Manager to close any programs not responding or to restart the PC: 1 Press the Ctrl key, the Alt key, and the Delete key on the keyboard at the same time. 2 Select the program that is not responding, and click End Task. Or Click Shut Down, and then click Restart. If this does not work, press and hold the On button for 5 or more seconds to turn off the PC. Then, press the On button.
Hardware Installation (continued) Symptom New or existing device does not work after installing a new device. Possible solution To resolve a device conflict, you may need to disable one of the devices or uninstall an old device driver: 1 Click Start, and click Control Panel. 2 Click Performance and Maintenance. 3 Click the System icon, and select the Hardware tab. 4 Click Device Manager.
Internet Access (continued) Symptom Possible solution Web pages load slowly. Verify that the correct modem speed and COM port are selected: 1 Click Start, and then click Control Panel. 2 Click Printers and Other Hardware, if it is present. 3 Double-click Phone and Modem Options. 4 Select the Modems tab, and then click the Properties button. 5 In the Device status area, verify the modem is working properly. 6 In the Device usage area, verify the modem is enabled.
Keyboard and Mouse Symptom Possible solution Keyboard commands and typing are not recognized by the PC. Turn off the PC by using the mouse, and then unplug and reconnect the keyboard to the back of your PC, and then turn on your PC. Double-click the Help and Support icon on the desktop to open the Help and Support Center, or refer to the Limited Warranty and Support Guide to contact Support for replacement details. Keyboard Print button does not work.
Keyboard and Mouse (continued) Symptom Possible solution Cursor moves too fast or too slow. Adjust the cursor speed: 1 Click Start, Control Panel, Printers and Other Hardware, and then Mouse. 2 Click the Pointer Options tab. 3 Adjust the Motion slider toward Slow or Fast to decrease or increase the speed at which the pointer (cursor) responds to mouse movement. 4 Click OK. Power Symptom Possible solution PC will not turn on or start.
Performance Symptom Possible solution Applications and files take longer to open or respond. If you created multiple user accounts on your PC, make sure other users are not logged in. If there are multiple users logged in at one time, system resources must be shared among the multiple users.
Miscellaneous Symptom Possible solution Insufficient memory message displays. Close all open programs, and then try the desired task again, or restart your PC (click Start, Turn Off Computer, and then Restart). If the message displays again, consider purchasing and installing additional memory. Remote sensor is not receiving a signal from the remote control (select models only). 1 Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then select Properties. 2 Click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager.
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