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............2 Checking for Hard Disk Drive Errors ............2 Understanding Hard Disk Drive Space ............2 Recommended Maintenance Schedule ............3 Troubleshooting PC Problems ............
Page 4
PC Troubleshooting and Maintenance Guide...
PC Maintenance Running Disk Cleanup manually 1 Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, This section includes information about tasks you can System Tools, and then click Disk Cleanup. perform to help ensure the trouble-free operation of Disc Cleanup searches for files to delete and your PC, and to ease the recovery of important calculates how much disk space can be saved.
Running the Disk Checking for Hard Disk Defragmenter Program Drive Errors When Windows stores files on your hard disk drive, it Perform the following procedure to check the integrity often divides them into multiple pieces (or fragments) of the hard disk drive in Windows XP. Close all open so they fit into available space on the drive.
Recommended Maintenance Schedule Daily Weekly Monthly Quarterly (seasonally) Manage e-mail Protect against viruses, Use Windows Update Set new passwords • • adware, and spyware Delete e-mail from Check for updates (See the Getting Started • unknown sources. Update definition files or schedule a monthly Guide for details.) •...
• Troubleshooting PC CD and DVD Drives • Display (Monitor) Problems • Hard Disk Drive • This section contains a series of tables that describe Hardware Installation possible solutions to problems that may occur when • Internet Access using your PC. Each table contains: •...
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 such as WinDVD Creator, and then resave the file in a supported format. Codec error messages appear Open the file in Windows Media Player.
Page 10
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.
CD and DVD Drives (continued) Symptom Possible solution Titles of music tracks are not The PC must be connected to the Internet for the artist, title, and track information to displayed for the CD. appear when playing music CDs. This information is not recorded on the disc. Track information may not be available for every CD.
Hard Disk Drive Symptom Possible solution PC seems to be locked up and not Use the Windows Task Manager to close any programs not responding or to restart responding. the PC: Press the Ctrl key, the Alt key, and the Delete key on the keyboard at the same time.
Hardware Installation (continued) Symptom Possible solution New or existing device does not To resolve a device conflict, you may need to disable one of the devices or uninstall work after installing a new device. an old device driver: Click Start, and click Control Panel. Click Performance and Maintenance.
Page 14
Internet Access (continued) Symptom Possible solution Web pages load slowly. Verify that the correct modem speed and COM port are selected: Click Start, and then click Control Panel. Click Printers and Other Hardware, if it is present. Double-click Phone and Modem Options. Select the Modems tab, and then click the Properties button.
Keyboard and Mouse Symptom Possible solution Keyboard commands and typing Turn off the PC by using the mouse, reconnect the keyboard to the back of your PC, are not recognized by the PC. and then turn on your PC. Press the Help ? button on the keyboard to open the Help and Support Center, or refer to the Warranty and Support Guide to contact Support for replacement details.
Keyboard and Mouse (continued) Symptom Possible solution Cursor moves too fast or too slow. Adjust the cursor speed: Click Start, Control Panel, Printers and Other Hardware, and then Mouse. Click the Pointer Options tab. Adjust the Motion slider toward Slow or Fast to decrease or increase the speed at which the pointer (cursor) responds to mouse movement.
Power (continued) Symptom Possible solution PC date and time display is The real-time clock (RTC) battery may need to be replaced. Battery life is incorrect. approximately seven years. Before replacing the battery, try resetting the date and time in your operating system by using the Control Panel.
Performance (continued) Symptom Possible solution Applications and files Check for hard disk drive errors: take longer to open or Close all open programs and windows. respond. (continued) Click Start, and then click My Computer. Right-click the hard disk drive that you want to check, and then click Properties. In the System Properties window, click the Tools tab.
Repairing Software Turning Off Your PC Problems When you turn off your PC and then turn it on again, you force the PC to reload the operating system into Your PC uses the operating system and installed its memory, which clears some tracking information. software programs during normal operation.
Microsoft System Restore For more information about software restore points: 1 Click Start. ® ® Microsoft Windows XP includes a feature that allows you to restore your PC configuration to that of a 2 Click Help and Support. The Help and Support previous time when a current software problem did Center displays.
9 Repeat steps 7 and 8 to install other drivers or applications. If your PC has a blank or corrupted hard disk NOTE: drive, you will see only the Full System Recovery 10 When you have finished recovering applications or option.
Page 22
7 The PC starts the recovery; wait for the onscreen instructions to display, and then follow those instructions. • For Standard System Recovery, press R. Choose Next to proceed with the System Recovery. Choose Yes to start the recovery. Insert the remaining recovery discs when directed.
Need help?
Do you have a question about the Presario SR1700 - Desktop PC and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers