Troubleshooting and Maintenance Guide
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Table of Contents Maintenance............................................................................................1 Creating Data Backup Discs .................................................................................... 1 Creating System Recovery Discs ............................................................................... 1 Removing Unused Programs..................................................................................... 1 Using Windows Update .............................
iv Troubleshooting and Maintenance Guide
Maintenance This section includes information about tasks you can perform to help ensure trouble-free operation of your computer, and to ease the recovery of important information on your computer if problems arise in the future. 7 Click Done to return to the Roxio project window. Creating Data Backup Discs When writing data to a backup disc, you should use software that includes write verification functionality.
Using Windows Update Check for updates or schedule a monthly automatic update. (See the Getting Started guide for details.) Scheduling Disk Cleanup to run automatically 1 Click the Windows Start Button, and Control Panel. 1 Click the Windows Start Button, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and then click Task Scheduler. 2 Under Security, click the Check for Updates button. 2 Click Action, and then click Create Basic Task. 3 Download and install updates by clicking Install Updates.
1 Save your work and close all open programs. 2 Press the Ctrl-Alt-Delete keys simultaneously. 3 Click Start Task Manager. 4 On the Applications tab, select all the programs that are listed, and then click End Task. Close the Task Manager. 5 Click the Windows Start Button, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and then click Disk Defragmenter. 6 Click Defragment Now. If Disk Defragmenter repeatedly starts, a background program is still accessing the hard disk drive.
Cleaning the computer and monitor Cleaning the keyboard and mouse 1 Unplug the computer from its power source. When cleaning the keyboard keys, use a low setting on the battery-powered vacuum cleaner, to avoid removing key caps and springs. 2 Unplug the monitor from its power source. 3 Use a clean, dry cloth to dust the computer case and the monitor. 4 Use a clean cloth dampened with warm water to wipe the computer case and the monitor case clean. Do not use water on the monitor screen.
Troubleshooting Computer Problems The troubleshooting tables appear in the following order: Audio CD and DVD Drives Video Display (Monitor) Hard Disk Drive Hardware Installation Internet Access Keyboard and Mouse Power Performance Bluetooth Wireless Devices Miscellaneous For more information about monitor problems, or for problems related specifically to your printer, refer to the documentation provided by the product manufacturer.
Audio (continued) Symptom Possible solution Codec error messages appear when certain audio files are played. 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. Note that you must be connected to the Internet to download the codec file. If the correct codec is not available, check to see whether there is an update available for Windows Media Player.
CD and DVD Drives Symptom Possible solution The CD or DVD drive cannot read a disc, or it takes too long to start. Ensure the disc is inserted with the label facing up and centered in the tray. Wait at least 30 seconds for the drive to determine the type of media. Clean the disc with a disc cleaning kit, available from most computer stores. The driver may be corrupted or outdated. For detailed information about restoring and updating drivers, see “Updating Drivers” on page 22.
CD and DVD Drives (continued) Symptom Possible solution I cannot create (record) a disc. (continued) Select a slower write speed for the recording drive, if a slower speed is available. The recording software may not let you add a track if it exceeds the available space on your disc. You can make space available by removing one or more tracks from the list before recording the files to the disc. Close all software programs and windows before recording.
Video Symptom Possible solution Some video files do not play. Your file may be corrupt 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 Open the file in Windows Media Player. Ensure Windows Media Player is when I play certain video files. configured to automatically download codecs. If the correct codec is available, the file will play.
Display (Monitor) (continued) In addition to the information listed here, also refer to the documentation that came with your monitor. Symptom Possible solution Images on the screen are too large or too small, or the images are fuzzy. Adjust the monitor resolution setting in Windows Vista: 1 Right-click the desktop, and then click Personalize. 2 Click Display Settings. 3 Adjust Resolution as necessary. Hard Disk Drive Symptom Possible solution Computer seems to be locked up and is not responding.
A Hardware Installation Symptom Possible solution A new device is not recognized as part of the system. Install the device driver from the CD provided with the device, or download and install the driver from the device manufacturer’s Web site. You may need an updated driver for Windows Vista. Contact the device vendor directly for an update. For HP peripherals, visit the HP Web site. For details, refer to the Limited Warranty and Support Guide for details.
Hardware Installation (continued) Symptom Possible solution A device does not work after installing a new device. To resolve a device conflict, you may need to disable one of the devices or uninstall an old device driver: 1 Click the Windows Start Button, right-click Computer, and then click Properties. 2 Under Tasks, click Device Manager. 3 Click the plus sign (+) next to the problem device and check for exclamation points in a yellow circle near the device icon.
Internet Access Symptom Possible solution I cannot connect to the Internet. Verify Internet settings, or contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for assistance. Verify that you are using the proper cables for your Internet connection type. Your computer may have a modem and an Ethernet network adapter (also called a network interface card, or NIC). A modem uses a standard telephone cable to make a dial-up connection. An NIC uses a network cable to connect to a local area network (LAN).
Internet Access (continued) Symptom Possible solution The AOL program opens even when it is not being used. You may want to remove the AOL program. To uninstall AOL: 1 Click the Windows Start Button, and then click Control Panel. 2 Click Uninstall a program. 3 Select America Online, click Uninstall, and then follow the onscreen instructions. NOTE: Removing the AOL program will not cancel your account with AOL. My Internet browser home page changed to something I did not want.
Keyboard and Mouse Symptom Possible solution Keyboard commands and typing are not recognized by the computer. Turn off the computer by using the mouse, reconnect the keyboard to the back of your computer, and then turn on your computer. Keyboard Print button does not work. Use the Print menu item in the program (usually located on the File menu). Wireless keyboard or mouse does not work or is not detected. Check for these problems: Ensure the mouse and keyboard are within range of the receiver.
Keyboard and Mouse (continued) Symptom Possible solution Wireless keyboard or mouse does not work or is not detected. (continued) After the mouse connection is established, repeat the procedure with the keyboard: 1 Push the Connect button on the receiver, and hold it for 5 to 10 seconds until the blue light starts to flash. 2 Push and hold the Connect button (c) on the underside of the keyboard until the blue LED on the receiver stops flashing.
Keyboard and Mouse (continued) Symptom Possible solution I cannot move the cursor using the arrow keys on the number key pad. Press the Num Lock key. The Num Lock light should not be on if you want to use the arrow keys on the number key pad. Cursor moves only vertically or horizontally (or it does not move smoothly on the screen). Remove the rollerball cover from bottom of mouse (rotate it counterclockwise), remove the ball, and clean it with a damp, lint-free cloth (not paper).
Power (continued) Symptom Possible solution Error message: Invalid system disk or Non-System disk or disk error. When drive activity stops, remove the disk and press the spacebar on the keyboard. The computer should start up. Computer does not turn off when the On button is pressed. Press and hold the On button until the computer turns off. Computer shuts down automatically. The computer may be in an exceedingly hot environment. Let it cool down. Computer displays the wrong date and time.
Performance Symptom Possible solution Software programs and files take longer to open or respond. If you created multiple user accounts on your computer, ensure other users are not logged in. If there are multiple users logged in simultaneously, system resources must be shared among them.
Performance (continued) Symptom Possible solution Software programs and files take longer to open or respond. (continued) Check for hard disk drive errors: 1 Close all open programs and windows. 2 Click the Windows Start Button, and then Computer. 3 Right-click the hard disk drive that you want to check, and then click Properties. The System Properties window opens. 4 Click the Tools tab. 5 Under Error-checking, click Check Now.
Miscellaneous Symptom Possible solution Error message: Insufficient memory. Close all open programs, and then try the desired task again, or restart your computer (click the Windows Start Button, click the Arrow button next to the Lock button, and then click 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).
Repairing Software Problems Your computer uses the operating system and installed software programs during normal operation. If your computer works improperly or stops because of the software, you may be able to repair it. Some software repairs are as simple as restarting your computer, and others require performing a system recovery from files on your hard disk drive. IMPORTANT: You must perform the computer repair methods in the order described in this document.
Microsoft System Restore Microsoft Windows Vista includes a feature that enables you to restore your computer configuration to that of a previous time when the current software problem did not exist. The feature does this by creating a restore point where it records the computer settings at that time and date. When a new program is installed, the operating system automatically creates a restore point before it adds the new software. You can also set restore points manually.
To reinstall a program using the Recovery Manager: Creating Recovery Discs 1 Click the Windows Start Button, All Programs, PC Help & Tools, and then click Recovery Manager. 2 Click Advanced Options, then Software program re-installation, and then click Next. 3 Click Next at the Welcome screen. 4 Choose the program you want to install, click Next, and follow the onscreen instructions. 5 When you have finished reinstalling, restart the computer.
The number of discs in the recovery disc set depends on your computer model. The program that creates the discs tells you the specific number of blank discs needed to make the set. The following table gives an idea of how many discs you will need.
12 Turn off the computer, reconnect all peripheral devices, and turn the computer back on. 13 Perform the procedure “Performing the post-recovery procedure” on page 27. System recovery at system startup If Windows Vista is not responding, but the computer is working, use these steps to perform a system recovery: NOTE: System recovery deletes all data and programs that you created or installed after purchase. Therefore, ensure you back up any data that you want to keep onto a removable disc.
6 Choose to run from the recovery discs, and then click Next. 7 In the Welcome window, click Next. 8 Click No to perform a system restore, and then click Next. 9 If you are prompted to back up your files and you have not done so, click Yes. Otherwise, click No, and then click Next. 10 Insert the next recovery disc if you are prompted to do so. 11 When the Recovery Manager is finished, remove the last recovery disc. 12 Click Finish to restart the computer.
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