Gateway P-6825 Manual
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www.gateway.com 113 If the notebook will not turn on, try turning it on with the notebook plugged in and the battery removed, then try turning the notebook on with the notebook unplugged and the battery installed. 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 Troubleshooting topics are listed in alphabetical order. Audio Audio troubleshooting is covered under “Sound” on page 135. Battery Battery troubleshooting is covered under “Power” on page 133. CD drives CD drive troubleshooting is covered under “DVD drives” on page 115. Diskette drive (external) The diskette drive is not recognized Shut down and restart your notebook. Disconnect the USB cable, then reconnect it.
CHAPTER 9: Troubleshooting 114 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. If errors are detected and corrected, try using the diskette again. For instructions on running Error checking, see “Checking the hard drive for errors” in your online User Guide. You see a “Non-system disk,” “NTLDR is missing,” or “Disk error” error message Eject the diskette from the diskette drive, then press E NTER. 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 or Windows Mobility Center. For more information about adjusting the brightness, see “Adjusting the brightness” on page 42. The screen resolution is not correct Change the screen resolution from the Display Settings dialog box. For instructions on changing the screen resolution, see “Changing the color depth and screen resolution” in your online User Guide.
www.gateway.com 115 The text on the display is dim or difficult to read Adjust the brightness using the system keys or Windows Mobility Center. For more information about adjusting the brightness, see “Adjusting the brightness” on page 42. Change the display settings. For instructions on changing the display settings, see “Changing screen settings” in your online User Guide. 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 Customer Care to identify whether a repair or replacement is justified based on the number of pixels affected. The display is blank Adjust the brightness using the system keys or Windows Mobility Center. For more information about adjusting the brightness, see “Adjusting the brightness” on page 42. Make sure the notebook is not in Sleep or Hibernate mode. Press the power button. The notebook may be sending its display to an external monitor or projector. Press FN + F4 several times to toggle through the LCD panel, an external monitor or projector, or both. DVD drives Your notebook does not recognize a disc If you are using a tray-load drive, the disc may not be seated correctly in the tray. When you place a disc on the tray, make sure that you press the disc firmly onto the spindle so the retainers hold the disc in place. Make sure that the disc label is facing up, then try again. If you are trying to play a DVD, make sure that you have a DVD drive. For more information, see “Identifying drive types” on page 50.
CHAPTER 9: Troubleshooting 116 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 87. 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 about using your volume control, see “Adjusting the volume” on page 42. Make sure that the Windows volume control is turned up. For instructions on how to adjust the volume control in Windows, see “Adjusting the volume” on page 42. Make sure that Mute controls are turned off. If you are using the built-in speakers, make sure that nothing is plugged into the headphone jack on the notebook. For the location of the headphone jack, see “Right” on page 8. If you are using powered speakers, make sure that they are plugged in and turned on. Clean the disc. For more information, see “Cleaning CDs or DVDs” on page 87. Your notebook may be experiencing some temporary memory problems. Shut down and restart your notebook. Reinstall the audio device drivers. For more information, see “Recovering pre-installed software and drivers” on page 89. A DVD movie will not play M a ke s u r e t h a t t h e l a b e l o r s i d e yo u wa n t to p l ay i s fa ci n g up, then try again. Make sure that you have a DVD drive. For more information, see “Identifying drive types” on page 50. Shut down and restart your notebook. Clean the DVD. For more information, see “Cleaning CDs or DVDs” on page 87.
www.gateway.com 117 Make sure that the disc’s regional code and your DVD drive’s regional code match. Make sure that a DVD player program has been installed on your notebook. For instructions on playing a DVD, see “Playing music and movies” in your online User Guide. You cannot eject a CD or DVD Your notebook must be turned on to remove CDs and DVDs. If you do not want to turn on your notebook, manually eject the disc by inserting an opened paper clip into the manual eject hole. For the location of the manual eject hole, see “Using the DVD drive” on page 50. Ethernet Ethernet troubleshooting is covered under “Networks (wired)” on page 129. Express Cards You installed an Express Card and now your notebook is having problems Make sure that you have correctly installed required software for the Express Card. For more information, see your Express Card’s documentation. File management A file was accidentally deleted Recover the file from the Recycle Bin by following the instructions in “Deleting files and folders” in your online User Guide. Caution If a file was deleted while holding down the SHIFT key or if the Recycle Bin has been emptied, the file cannot be restored. HelpFor more information about restoring deleted files, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword System Restore in the Search Help box, then press E NTER.
CHAPTER 9: Troubleshooting 118 Fingerprint reader The fingerprint reader does not recognize your fingerprint Make sure that you are using the correct method for swiping your finger. For more information, see “Running the TouchStrip Tutorial” on page 29. Make sure that you are using a finger that you have enrolled. For more information, see “Enrolling your fingerprints” on page 30. For more information about troubleshooting the fingerprint reader, click (Start), All Programs, Protector Suite QL, then click Help. Hard drive You see an “Insufficient disk space” error message Delete unnecessary files from the hard drive using Disk Cleanup. For instructions on deleting unnecessary files, see “Deleting unnecessary files” in your online User Guide. Empty the Recycle Bin by right-clicking the Recycle Bin icon, then clicking Empty Recycle Bin. Save your files to another drive. If the hard drive is full, copy any files not regularly used to backup media, then delete them from the hard drive. You see a “Data error” message This may be the result of a defective area on the hard drive. To fix hard drive problems, run the Error checking program. For instructions on fixing hard drive problems, see “Checking the hard drive for errors” in your online User Guide. The hard drive cannot be accessed, or you see a “General failure reading drive C” error message If a diskette is in the diskette drive, eject it and restart your notebook.Caution All deleted files will be lost when you empty the Recycle Bin. HelpFor more information about file management, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword file management in the Search Help box, then press E NTER.
www.gateway.com 119 Make sure that the hard drive is installed correctly. Remove it, firmly reinsert it, then restart your notebook. For more information about removing your hard drive, see “Replacing a hard drive kit” on page 106. If your notebook has been subjected to static electricity or physical shock, you may need to reinstall the operating system. The eSATA drive is not recognized Shut down and restart your notebook. Disconnect the drive cable, then reconnect it. Internet You cannot connect to the Internet If you are using the optional dial-up modem, make sure that the modem cable is plugged into the modem jack and not the Ethernet network jack. For the location of your modem jack, see “Back” on page 9. -OR- If you are using a cable or DSL modem, 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. Make sure that you do not have a problem with your modem. For more information, see “Modem (dial-up)” on page 125. Make sure that your account with your Internet service provider (ISP) is set up correctly. Contact your ISP technical support for help. Help For more information about troubleshooting Internet connections, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword troubleshooting connections in the Search Help box, then press E NTER.
CHAPTER 9: Troubleshooting 120 You see an “Unable to locate host” message and are unable to browse the Internet This problem can occur when you have typed a URL (Web address) incorrectly, you have lost your Internet connection, or your ISP is having technical difficulties. Double-check the URL or try a different URL. If the error message still appears, disconnect from the ISP connection and close your browser, then reconnect and open the browser. If you still get the error, your ISP may be having technical difficulties. Connecting to a Web site takes too long Many factors can affect Internet performance: The condition of the telephone lines in your residence or at your local telephone service The condition of the Internet computers to which you connect and the number of users accessing those computers The complexity of graphics and multimedia on Web pages Having multiple Web browsers open, performing multiple downloads, and having multiple programs open on your notebook People are sending you e-mail messages, but you have not received any mail Click the receive button in your e-mail program. Make sure that your account with your Internet service provider (ISP) is set up correctly. Contact your ISP for technical support. Keyb o ard A keyboard character keeps repeating or you see a “Keyboard stuck” or “Key failure” error message Make sure that nothing is resting on the keyboard. Make sure that a key is not stuck. Press each key to loosen a key that might be stuck, then restart your notebook. An external keyboard does not work Make sure that the keyboard cable is plugged in correctly.
www.gateway.com 121 Remove all extension cables and switchboxes. Clean the keyboard by using an aerosol can of air with a narrow, straw-like extension to remove dust and lint trapped under the keys. Try a keyboard that you know works to make sure that the keyboard port works. If you spilled liquid in the keyboard, turn off your notebook and unplug the keyboard. Clean the keyboard and turn it upside down to drain it. Let the keyboard dry before using it again. If the keyboard does not work after it dries, you may need to replace it. Media Center This section only covers problems relating to Media Center mode. Media Center mode is available only on Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate versions. To view Media Center troubleshooting information that is not covered in this section, go to the Gateway support Web Site at www.gateway.com . The Media Center video display looks bad on your TV Many factors, such as the display type, quality of the video source, type of connection used, quality of video cables, display device screen resolution, size of TV, age of the TV, or the type of TV (interlaced or progressive scan), can affect the video quality significantly: Display type—Some retail TVs may provide lower quality video. A progressive scan display device with a VGA input is the best choice. Help For more information about Windows Media Center, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the phrase Media Center in the Search Help box, then press E NTER.
CHAPTER 9: Troubleshooting 122 Type of connection used—You can connect the notebook video output to a TV. However, the connection type has an affect on the video quality. The notebook has two video outputs: HDMI—If your TV includes an HDMI port, connect the HDMI cable from the notebook’s optional HDMI Out port to the TV’s HDMI In port. HDMI display quality is usually superior for TV images. HDMI also transmits audio to your television. Many older TVs do not have an HDMI port. VGA—If your TV or notebook does not include and HDMI port, but does include a VGA port, connect the VGA cable from the notebook’s VGA (monitor) port to the TV’s VGA In port. Many older TVs do not have a VGA port. VGA only transmits video. You should use the built-in speakers, a set of headphones or external powered speakers, or connect your notebook to a stereo system to hear sound. Quality of video cables—Poor quality or the incorrect type of video cables can cause problems and affect the video quality. Gateway recommends using high-quality video cables that can be purchased from Gateway. Screen resolution—By default, the notebook uses a screen resolution optimized for the LCD screen. Many older TVs cannot display this high of a resolution and may shift, scramble, or scroll the picture. For a better picture on a TV display, you may need to lower the screen resolution to 800 × 600 or 640 × 480. For more information about changing the screen resolution, see “Changing color depth and screen resolution” in your online User Guide. Important Cable connections must be made correctly for optimal video quality. A poor cable connection can lower video quality. HelpFor more information about adjusting display settings, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword changing display settings in the Search Help box, then press E NTER.