Some problems you may encounter when using your notebook computer are relatively easy to identify and solve. Others may require help from your dealer, your network administrator or the manufacturer of a software program.
Program stops responding.
If you are working with a program that suddenly freezes all operations, chances are the program has stopped responding. You can exit the failed program without shutting down the operating system or closing other programs.
To close a program that has stopped responding:
1 Press Ctrl, Alt, and Del simultaneously (once).
2 Click the Applications tab. If a program has stopped responding, the words “not responding” appear beside its name in the list.
3 Select the program you want to close, and then click End Task. Closing the failed program should allow you to continue working. If it does not, continue with step 4.
4 Close the remaining programs one by one by selecting the program name, then End Task.
5 Turn off your computer according to the instructions.Program performs an illegal operation.
If you receive the message, “Your program has performed an illegal operation, “you should record the details of the message and consult the software manufacturer.
To record the details:
1 Click the Details button and select the text the operating system displays. The Details button displays information that the software manufacturer needs to help you solve your problem.
2 Press Ctrl and c simultaneously to copy the text to the clipboard.
3 Open Notepad (click Start, point to All Programs, and then point to Accessories and click Notepad).
4 Press Ctrl and v simultaneously to paste the details into Notepad.
5 Add a paragraph break and type some notes describing what you were doing when you received the message.
6 Save the file and refer to it when you contact the software manufacturer.
Problems to turn on the computer
These problems may occur when you turn on the power. The computer will not start.
Make sure you attached the AC adapter and power cable properly or installed a charged battery.
Press and hold down the power button for a few seconds.
If you are using the AC adapter, check that the wall outlet is working by plugging in another device, such as a lamp.
The computer starts but, when press a key, nothing happens.
Probably in Standby mode and have a software or resource conflict. When this happens, turning the power on returns you to the problem instead of restarting the system.
To clear the condition, press Ctrl, Alt, and Del simultaneously.
Clearing the condition may get the computer running, but it won’t solve a resource conflict.
The computer is not accessing the hard disk or the diskette drive.
Computer normally loads the operating system from the hard disk. If you have a hard disk problem, you will not be able to start the computer. Insert a system diskette into the diskette drive, press the left or right arrow key and choose your boot-up device.
HINT: Press F12 as you power on the computer to access the menu.
The computer displays the WARNING RESUME FAILURE message.
The computer was placed in Standby mode and the battery has discharged. Data stored in the computer’s memory has been lost.
To charge the battery, leave the computer plugged into a live wall outlet for several hours.
The computer displays the Non-System disk or disk error message.
Make sure there is no diskette in the diskette drive. If there is one, remove it and press any key to continue. If pressing any key does not work, press Ctrl, Alt, and Del to restart the computer.
The Windows operating system is not working
Once you are familiar with the desktop and used to the way the operating system responds to your work routine, you can easily detect if the operating system is not working correctly.
For example:
The operating system fails to start after the Starting Windows XP message appears.
The operating system takes a long time to start.
The operating system responds differently from the normal routine.
The screen does not look right.
Unless a hardware device has failed, problems usually occur when you change the system in some way such as installing a new program or adding a device.
If you experience any of these problems, use the options in the Start-up menu to fix the problem.
Using Start-up options to fix problems
If the operating system fails to start properly, you may have to change your system’s configuration or verify the start-up procedure to fix the problem. To do this, use the options in the Startup menu. This section describes each option and when to use the procedure.
To open the Start-up menu:
1 Restart your computer.
2 Press F8 When your computer starts. The Windows Advanced Options menu displays these options:
Safe Mode
Safe Mode (with Networking)
Safe Mode (with Command Prompt)
Enable Boot Logging
Enable VGA Mode
Last known good configuration (your most recent settings that worked)
Directory Services Restore Mode (Windows domain controllers only)
Debugging Mode
Start Windows normally
Reboot
Return to OS Choices (menu)
TECHNICAL NOTE: If your computer is connected to a network, the Start-up menu may display different versions of Safe mode.
Internet problems
Internet connection is very slow.
Many factors contribute to the speed with which you can surf the Internet. They include: modem speed, time of day (when everyone else is surfing, your access can be slow) and popularity of the site. If accessing a particular site is very slow, try later.
Browser can’t find the URL address I typed in.
Make sure you separated the domain names of the address with the forward slash (/). Check the spelling of each name and the syntax of the address carefully. A single incorrect letter or missed character, comma instead of period (“dot”) or other mistake makes it impossible for your browser to locate
the site.
Browser can’t find a site I bookmarked.
The World Wide Web is constantly changing. A site you bookmarked yesterday may not be available today or its server may be down for temporary repair.
Try again later.
Resolving a hardware conflict
If you receive an error message telling you there is a device driver conflict or a general hardware problem, try using Windows Help and Support to troubleshoot the problem first. For help on hardware conflicts:
1 Click Start, then click Help and Support.
2 Click the Hardware link in the window’s left pane. A list of category links appears.
3 Click the Fixing a hardware problem.
4 Choose from specific topics and follow the steps.
If there is still a problem, the operating system should display a message that explains what the conflict is.
Resolving hardware conflicts on your own
Computer components need resources to accomplish a task. A device, such as a disk drive or a modem, needs a channel to the computer’s Central processing Unit (CPU). It also needs a direct channel to the computer’s memory to store information as it works. These channels of communication
are commonly referred to as system resources.
Interrupt Request Channel
The channel to the CPU is called an Interrupt Request (IRQ) because it interrupts what the processor is doing and requests some of the processor’s time. If two or more devices use the same IRQ, the processor does not know which device is asking for attention. This may cause a hardware conflict.
NOTE: One of the IRQs may be shared by multiple devices. This is called IRQ sharing and is normal.
Direct Memory Access
Similarly, the data required by the device is stored in a specific place or address in memory called the Direct Memory Access (DMA). The DMA provides a dedicated channel for adapter cards to bypass the microprocessor and access memory directly. If two or more devices use the same DMA, the data required by one device overwrites the data required by the other, causing a hardware conflict.
Resolving conflicts
There are three things you can do to resolve hardware conflicts:
Disable the device.
For an older device, remove it from the computer.
Disable another system component and use its resources for the new device.
Fixing a problem with Device Manager
Device Manager provides a way to check and change the configuration of a device.
CAUTION: Changing the default settings using Device Manager can cause other conflicts that make one or more devices unusable. Device Manager is a configuration tool for advanced users who understand configuration parameters and the ramifications of changing them.
Disabling a device
1 Click Start, Control Panel, Performance and Maintenance, Administrative Tools.
2 Double-click the Computer Management icon.
3 In the left pane, click Device Manager.
4 Select the specific device from the device category.
5 In the toolbar, look to the far right for an icon of a monitor with a strike mark through a circle on the front. This is the disable feature.
6 Click the icon. You are given the option of disabling the device.
7 Click yes or no, whichever is appropriate.
Checking device properties
Device Manager provides a way to view the properties of a device. Properties include the name of the manufacturer, the type of device, the drivers installed, and the system resources assigned to the device.
To check a device’s properties:
1 Click Start, Control Panel, Performance and Maintenance, Administrative Tools.
2 Double-click the Computer Management icon.
3 In the left pane, click Device Manager.
4 To view the device(s) installed, double-click the device type.
5 To view the properties, double-click the device. The operating system displays the Device Properties window, which provides an array of tabs. They include:
The General tab, which provides basic information about the device.
The Resource tab, which lists resources assigned to the monitor, DVD-ROM, DVD-ROM/CD-RW, diskette drive, and other power-using functions.
The Drivers tab, which displays the drivers being used by the device.
A Troubleshooting button is also present.
Click troubleshooting.
A Help and Support window for that device appears.