There may be several reasons for a laptop computer problem. The battery or an internal component or an external peripheral, such as the data entry keypad, may have caused the problem. A loose networkconnection or a distant access point will generally cause connectivity problems, whereas problems with power supply components will cause the laptop or a mobile device to shut down unexpectedly. In this section, we will lookat some common problems and appropriate solutions to fix them.
Power problems
Most laptops suffer from power problems that may be due to the main AC power adapter or to the built-in battery. When trying to fix power-related problems, make sure that the mains AC supply is properly connected. The following simple steps will help you verify the AC input power.
1. Verify that the mains power cord is properly attached to the adapter. If it has become loose or does not attach properly to the adapter, try replacing it.
2. Checkthe small LED on top of the adapter. If it is not glowing, the AC power may not be connected or may be turned off.
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3. Touch the AC adapter surface. A reasonably warm surface is usually an indi- cation of a working adapter. If the power adapter seems to be overheated, it may have to be replaced.
4. Verify that the DC power cord is not damaged and that the connector is properly inserted into the laptop.
5. Remove the DC power cord and verify the DC power output of the adapter.
6. If there is no output or a very low DC output, the AC is properly connected, and the LED is lit, try replacing the adapter with a new one.
Input problems
If you are having troubles with the laptop keyboard, try connecting an external keyboard to a USB port using a PS/2-to-USB converter. You will notice that func- tion keys in laptops are different on a laptop keyboard than on a desktop. If one of the function keys is stuck, only those functions will work that the key is used for. Try toggling the function key to solve the problem. In some situations, the pointer does not move as expected due to problems with the touchpad. You can try connecting an external mouse and turn off the touch pad in the Control Panel to identify the cause of the problem.
Most stylus problems are caused due to rough handling. Some problems directly relate to the alignment of the stylus pen. A soft or hard reset sometimes helps resolve this problem or a built-in utility can be used for the purpose. You may also use some freely available software on the Internet to get around the alignment problem.
Display problems
The laptop display unit is made up of an LCD screen, the video controller card, and the inverter unit that supplies backlight for the LCD screen. A cut-off switch ensures that the backlight is switched off when the lid is closed. If you have prob- lems with the LCD display, connecting an external monitor can quickly determine whether the problem lies with the LCD display or the video controller card. You will need to toggle the display using a function key. You can also try to increase or decrease the brightness level to determine the problem. Checkthat the cut-off switch is not damaged.
Networking problems
Most new laptops have built-in wired adapters as well as wireless adapters. There can be more than one reason for a connectivity problem, and the correct solution can be applied only after you have isolated the problem and determined the exact reason behind the problem. If you are having troubles connecting to a wired network, check that the network cable is properly attached and is not loose. Also check the status LEDs on the network adapter.
If you are having troubles connecting to a wireless network, make sure that the wireless connection is enabled in Windows, that you are using a correct SSID setting, and that the laptop is within the coverage area of an access point. You will not see a wireless antenna in most new laptops, but it might be required on some
older laptops that use a PCMCIA wireless adapter. Antenna wires are very helpful in troubleshooting connectivity problems when a laptop is placed far away from the wireless access point.
You can also try to use the Repair utility in Windows to reconfigure the TCP/IP protocol settings. Right-clickthe Local Area Connection icon in the Taskbar and select Status. Clickthe Support tab in the Local Area Connection Status window. Click the Repair button to refresh the TCP/IP connection settings.
Problems with external devices
Many problems with laptops can be resolved simply by removing unneeded external peripherals. For example, if you do not need an external USB modem or a hard drive permanently connected to the laptop, you should remove it. Depending on the type of the connected device, you might have to uninstall the driver of the device, power off the laptop, remove the device physically, and then power on the laptop again.
Preventive Maintenance (PM)
PM helps prevent many problems with laptops and enhances their performance and life span. Since laptops are portable devices, they need to be cared for more than desktops. In this section, we will look at some preventive maintenance measures for laptops.
Operating environment
Keeping the operating environment healthy for the laptop is the first and most important preventive maintenance method to keep problems away. The main environmental factors that affect the performance of a laptop are as follows:
• Temperature • Humidity • Cleanliness
Ensuring a healthy environment helps prevent several operational problems in laptops. Laptops are compact devices that use very small components, which produce heat during normal operation. You must ensure that the laptop is not operated in areas with high temperatures and that sufficient cooling is available. An air-conditioned room is perfect because both temperature and humidity are controlled. Do not operate a laptop for long periods if proper air-conditioning is not available or if the conditions are very hot. If you regularly operate the laptop in areas of high temperature, you can install an externalcooling pad. A cooling pad lifts the laptop above the table about one inch and has extra fans for cooling the bottom of the laptop.
Make sure that the area where a laptop is operated is clean and dust-free. Regu- larly checkthat the cooling/exhaust fans are working and that dust has not accumulated around ventilation slots. Clean the LCD screen regularly with a damp soft cloth. Do not use glass-cleaning sprays on LCD screens.
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Handling
Since laptops are portable devices, they need to be handled with care when carrying them from one place to another. Always carry them in their protective bags, which should have sufficient cushioning to prevent damage during travel. Keep the laptop lid closed when the laptop is not in use. Use a piece of foam between the LCD screen and the keyboard for protection.
Operating Systems
Computer hardware, such as the motherboard, CPU, adapter cards, display devices, and I/O devices, are only a part of the entire computer system. To make this hardware work, we need software that acts as an interface between human beings and the hardware. Software can be classified into three major categories as follows:
Operating systems
The operating system interacts directly with the computer hardware and provides a platform for applications and device drivers. It manages computer memory, input, output, disks, and filesystems.
Device drivers
Device drivers act as an interface between the operating system and the specific devices for which the driver software is written.
Applications
An application is the software program that takes commands from the user for a specific task, executes them, and produces the results.
The operating system is the primary software that makes the computer hardware usable. In this section, we will discuss some of the fundamentals of using operating systems, their installation and upgrade methods, troubleshooting tech- niques, and preventive maintenance procedures.