Laptop Troubleshooting

1. I get the message “Bad Login” when trying to get my email messages. 
a. Make sure that you have typed in your email password (different from
your Network Access password) correctly. Remember! Passwords are
case sensitive—so if your Caps Lock key is activated, the password will
not be entered correctly.

2. I can’t print my document to the network printer.
a. Make sure that you have logged on to the network with your Network
Access username and password.
b. If others are having the same problem, verify that the network printer has
been properly turned on. The printer should be turned on FIRST, then the
computer attached to the printer should be booted up.
c. Make sure that you have selected the correct printer. When you give the
print command, make sure to select the printer in your room. You may
have the capability of printing to multiple printers.
3. I can’t print my document to a non-networked printer.
a. You may not have installed the appropriate driver on your laptop. You
will need the software that accompanies that printer. Remember! Your
teacher will need to be advised any time you are wanting to load software
of any type on your laptop.
b. The printer is not on or needs ink. Check for lights.
c. You are not connected via a printer cable to the printer. Make sure that
the connections are firm.

4. I can’t read a file on my floppy disk.
a. Make sure that the disk is a formatted disk for a PC (not a Mac formatted
disk).
b. It is possibly a damaged disk. Not much can be done for this. Be careful
when removing the disk from the disk drive.
c. It could be that you are in Word (or any other program) and trying to see a
file created in a different program. Try changing the “File of Type” field
to “All files.”

5. My computer freezes.
a. Press the Ctrl-Alt-Delete keys at the same time—this is what is called a
“soft boot”. You will get a window message that identifies the tasks that
your computer was doing prior to freezing. Select “End Task”. This may
resolve the problem or it may reboot your computer. When the computer
boots up, though, it might want to do a scandisk, as it was shut down
improperly. Let it.

b. If your computer makes a habit of freezing when involved in a particular
task, inform your teacher. It is possible that your laptop has a specific
problem that can be repaired.
6. My computer will not boot up.
a. You have let your battery run all the way down. Sometimes, even with the
ac cord, you need some juice in your battery to start. Plug in the computer
and let it charge for a couple of hours, then try to turn it on.
b. You have left a disk in the floppy drive. Your computer will not launch
Windows with it there. Remove it.

7. I have gone through Start and Shut Down, but my computer will not shut down
a. Give the computer some time to go through the shut down. If the
computer does not automatically turn off after several minutes, hold down
the On/Off button until the computer turns off. When you boot up the
next time, though, it might want to do a scandisk. Let it.

8. I dropped my laptop or spilled liquid on it.
a. If you spill liquid on it, immediately unplug it (shut it down if it happens
to continue running) and turn it over to allow the liquid a change to drain
out. Let it dry overnight. If there are problems with it the next morning,
see your teacher.
b. If you drop your computer, try rebooting it. You can always pray that
there wasn’t enough force to damage it. This is, however, unlikely. If
there are problems, bring it to your teacher and explain what happened.

TIPS FOR TAKING CARE OF YOUR LAPTOP

1. Be careful when exchanging CD & Floppy drives, as “doors” tend to easily break-
off. Keep CD’s and floppy disks as clean as possible—avoid handling them when
you have been eating.
2. Be careful when removing and storing cords and cables. Avoid stress on the
connections to the laptop.
3. When your screen is in need of cleaning, use a soft, lint-free, DRY cloth and wipe
gently with the COMPUTER OFF.
4. Do not eat or drink over your computer.
5. Do not leave your computer unattended ANYWHERE. Someone walking
through the room may not be aware that the computer is plugged in and the cord
is blocking their path.
6. If your trackpad is not responding correctly, use a warm, barely dampened sponge
and wipe the surface of the pad gently, and then dry the surface with a soft, link-
free cloth. The computer should be OFF.
7. You have a lithium battery. It will take possibly charging the battery up to 5
times before you get a maximum capacity for battery. You may leave your
battery in even when you are using the power cord. With a complete charge, you
will probably have up to 2 hours of battery life.