Troubleshooting Laptop Issues

 

This section reviews common causes and typical solutions for issues with laptops. Use Table 9-12 to look up typical laptop symptoms, problems, and solutions.


      Chapter 9: Troubleshooting 197
   
Table 9-12 Laptop Symptoms, Problems, and Solutions  
       
Symptom Possible Cause Items to Check Typical Solution
       
No display System set to use Fn key setting for Press Fn key combination
  external display display switching. to switch back to internal
  only Display properties. display.
     
       
  Inverter or back- Use a flashlight to If the display is visible
  light failure see if the desktop is with flashlight, check the
    visible. inverter; replace if defec-
      tive.
      If the inverter is okay,
      replace or repair the back-
      light or LCD assembly if
      cost-effective.
       
  LCD subsystem Use a flashlight to If the display is not visible
  failure see if the desktop is with a flashlight, plug in
    visible. an external display.
      If the external display
      works, the LCD display
      panel should be replaced
      or repaired.
      If the external display
      doesn’t work, replace
      the video module on the
      motherboard or the moth-
      erboard.
       
Dim display Inverter or back- Use a flashlight to If the display is visible
  light failure see if the desktop is with flashlight, check the
    visible. inverter; replace if defec-
      tive.

 

If the inverter is okay, replace or repair the back-light or LCD assembly if cost-effective.


198 CompTIA A+ Quick Reference

 

Table 9-12 Continued

Symptom Possible Cause Items to Check Typical Solution
       
Flickering dis- Bad display driv- Check the display Update to latest display
play ers driver version. driver for laptop.
       
  Screen refresh rate Check the rate Most laptops use non-
    selected. interlaced 60Hz.
      Interlaced settings cause
      flicker.
       
  Loose connections Check the connec- Disassemble the laptop to
  between display tions. get access to the data and
  and motherboard   power cables.
       
Sticking keys Keyboard might Clean keyboard tops. If cleaning the keyboard
  be dirty or have   with a data-rated vacuum
  debris on under-   cleaner or an antistatic
  side of keys   cleaner doesn’t solve the
      problem, replace the stick-
      ing keys or replace the
      keyboard.
       
Intermittent Laptop not pick- Reorient the laptop If moving the laptop
wireless ing up a strong display screen or the around at the current loca-
  enough signal laptop. tion does not improve sig-
      nal strength, try a different
      channel on the router.


 

Battery not Battery worn out Try running the sys-

 

charging tem on AC power

 

only.


If the system will run on AC power, replace the battery.

 

If system will not run on AC power, test the AC adapter and replace if defective.


 

Ghost cursor Laptop screen Adjust the mouse Use mouse pointer options
  refreshes too pointer visibility. such as Display Pointer
  slowly   Trails And Show Location
      of Pointer When I Press
      the Ctrl key.


 

No power Battery worn out Try running the sys-

 

tem on AC power

 

only.


If the system will run on AC power, replace the battery.

 

If the system will not run on AC power, test the AC adapter and replace if defective.


 

AC adapter failure Test the AC adapter. Replace if defective.


      Chapter 9: Troubleshooting 199
       
       
Symptom Possible Cause Items to Check Typical Solution
       
Num lock indi- Typing with letters Use the Fn key to If the keyboard won’t switch
cator lights on right side of switch the keyboard back to normal mode or if
  keyboard displays back to normal Num lock lights don’t work,
  numbers instead mode. replace the keyboard.
       
No wireless Wireless adapter Turn wireless adapt- Look for push button or
connectivity turned off er back on. pressure-sensitive button
      on front or top of laptop or
      as Fn key on keyboard.
       
No Bluetooth Bluetooth adapter Turn on Bluetooth Use the Bluetooth Settings
connectivity turned off adapter. in the Control Panel (see
      Figure 9-9).
       
  Bluetooth discov- Enable Bluetooth Use the Bluetooth Settings
  ery disabled discovery. in the Control Panel.
       
  Bluetooth device Enable connections Use the Bluetooth Settings
  connections not from Bluetooth in the Control Panel.
  allowed devices.  
       
Cannot display External display Detect external dis- XP: Display properties.
to external not detected play. Vista: Personalization menu.
monitor    
     
      7: Screen Resolution menu.
       

 

Figure 9-9The Bluetooth Settings dialog on a system with discovery, connections, and the adapt-er turned off.


200 CompTIA A+ Quick Reference