Chapter Five Troubleshooting | Alienware m5550 instruction

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference

CHAPTER FIVE

TROUBLESHOOTING

In this chapter, you will learn how to solve common hardware and software problems.

66

m5550-04-2007-techref.indd 66

4/6/2007 12:29:52 PM

Image 66

Alienware m5550 user manual Chapter Five Troubleshooting

Contents

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Table of Contents Bios Setup and Security Upgrading Your Computer Using This Manual Symbols and ConventionsPreface Here are some ways of taking care of your AC adapter When cleaning the computer, observe these steps Cleaning the Ventilation Grills Chapter Summaries Chapter ONE Getting to Know the Basics Performance Features Firewire IEEE1394 / 1394a and USB2.0 Ports Wireless LANEthernet Port System At a Glance Top View LCD Latch Power / Suspend Button Touch Pad Disable / Enable ButtonLED Status Indicator Keyboard Internet Explorer Quick Key Silent Mode ButtonOutlook Express Quick Key Windows Media Player Quick Key Battery Pack Wireless On/Off SwitchPower Jack DC-in Front and Rear View Ventilation Grill Kensington Lock Key Hole Stereo Headphone / SPDIF-out Jack Audio Volume DialSide Views Microphone Jack DVI-I Port Firewire / IEEE1394 / 1394a PortUSB2.0 Port TV S-Video Port ExpressCard Slot Battery Pack and Battery Latch Bottom ViewHard Disk Drive Cover Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference System Device Cover Adapter DC-out ConnectorAC Adapter AC Plug System & Power Status Indicators Keyboard Features Function Keys Quick Keys Application Menu Key Windows KeysStart Key Embedded Numeric Keypad Tips on Using the Touch Pad Extending the Life of the TFT Display Device Adjusting the Display BrightnessGraphics Subsystem Opening and Closing the Display Panel Audio Subsystem Modem To change the modem setting, do the following Chapter TWO Bios Setup and Security Feature Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Entering the Bios Setup Screen Leaving the Bios Setup ScreenBios Action Keys Main Setup Modifying the Bios SettingsBoot Setup Boot Settings Configuration Realtek Boot Agent To boot from. If Realtek Disabled Security Setup Using Password Protection Power Setup Exit Setup Chapter Three Battery Power & Power Management Battery Low-Power Warning Low Battery Warning Battery PackLithium-Ion Battery Very Low Battery Warning Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Installing and Removing the Battery Pack To Remove the Battery Pack To Install the Battery Pack Charging the Battery and Charging TimeChecking the Battery Level Prolonging the Battery’s Life and Usage Cycles Using Windows Power Options Windows’ Power Schemes Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Suspend Mode Standby SuspendHibernate Suspend Power Button Action Low Battery Warning Power Menu Quick Access Windows’ Power Plans Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Suspend Mode Power Button Action M5550-04-2007-techref.indd 2007 122951 PM Power Menu Quick Access Chapter Four Upgrading Your Computer Upgrading the Hard Disk Drive Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Upgrading the System Memory Installing a memory module Dimm into the system Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Adding a Mini-PCI Type Wireless LAN Card Optional Device Installing a Mini PCI Card into the System Replace the System Device Cover and 9 Screw D’s Chapter Five Troubleshooting Alienware Area-51 m5550 Technical Reference Audio Problems No speaker outputSound cannot be recorded Hard drive is making abnormal whining noises Hard Disk ProblemsHard disk drive does not work or is not recognizable Hard disk drive has reached its capacity Hard disk takes longer to read a file Files are corrupted Drive does not read any disks Optical Drive ProblemsOptical drive does not work Disk cannot be ejected Screen is difficult to read Display ProblemsDisplay panel is blank when the system is turned on Screen flickers Built-in touch pad performs erratically Keyboard and Mouse ProblemsCharacters on the screen repeat when I type Built-in keyboard accepts no input Cmos Battery Problem Memory Problems Modem Problems Built-in modem does not respond Connection difficulties Network Adapter / Ethernet Problems Ethernet adapter does not work PC Cards do not function PC Card / Pcmcia ProblemsWindows crashes or freezes when you remove the PC card PC card cannot be recognized Performance Problems Computer becomes hotProgram appears to have stopped or runs very slowly Firewire IEEE1394 and USB2.0 Problems USB device does not workIEEE1394 port does not work Appendix a Product Specifications Display Processor and Core LogicSystem Memory Audio LAN / Ethernet Firewire IEEE1394aModem Storage Keyboard & Touch pad Ports and ConnectorsBattery Pack / AC Adapter Express Card New Card & Multiple Card Reader Bios Physical Specification Appendix B Agency Regulatory Notices Connections to Peripheral Devices Federal Communications Commission NoticeModifications Declaration of Conformity European Notice Canadian Notice Power Cord Requirement CanadaJapan Other Countries Battery Pack Safety Telephone Lines Requirement Laser Safety Lithium Battery Warning / Bridge Battery Warning Connecting to the Network EthernetCabling Restriction for Networks