Technical Support

I cannot connect to a wireless network

My laptop does not turn on

My laptop crashes when in Windows

I keep getting a blue screen with white writing

The battery in my laptop does not last very long

Windows says that I need to Activate

Where is my Product Key?

How do I open Device Manager?

What do I do with the disk that came with my Laptop?

I can’t watch DVDs

I think I have a virus

Every laptop that leaves our workshop has had its wireless connectivity tested, and it is very rare that there is a problem with the physical adapter in your laptop. Therefore if you are having connectivity problems it is likely that these can be resolved quickly and simply.

Firstly check the following:

• You have entered the correct wireless security key (supplied by your ISP, or set by you)
• You have a wireless enabled router
• The wireless adapter in your laptop is switched on (refer to the user guide as to how to do this)

If you have checked these, and are still having problems then try the following:

• Determine the type of wireless adapter you have in your laptop. This information can be found in Device Manager, under Network Adapters.
• If you have an Intel wireless adapter, follow this link http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/cs-006205.htm which provides instructions on turning up the power on your adapter.
• If you have a Dell or Broadcom wireless adapter check with your router’s manufacturer as to how to update the your router’s firmware. This information can be found on the manufacturer’s website, or from your ISP

If you are still having difficulties you should check with your router’s manufacturer as to how to update the your router’s firmware. This information can be found on the manufacturer’s website, or from your ISP.

If your laptop does not turn on, or it does not turn on fully and lights near the keyboard flash, it is possible that one of the RAM chips installed has become dislodged in transit. There may be one or two RAM chips installed, depending on the amount of memory you ordered and its configuration. To try and resolve this problem, try the following:

• Ensure the laptop is switched off and disconnected from the mains
• Turn the laptop over and remove the battery
• Remove the flap on the base of the laptop ( this may be marked with a M or with a picture of a RAM chip)
• Remove any RAM chips under this flap by pulling the metal clips apart.
• Replace the RAM chips, and push them into place - the metal clips will click and lock them into place.
• Replace the flap, battery, turn the laptop over, plug the mains cable in and turn it on.

If this does not help, or there are no RAM chips on the underside, it is possible that the problem is caused by another RAM chip found under the keyboard. You can try the procedure described above with this chip, but only do so if you are confident you know how. You will be exposing the entire motherboard and can damage your laptop easily.

If you are experiencing a lot of crashes in Windows try the following:

• Uninstall any recently installed programs
• Install an Anti-Virus program and do a full system scan. We can supply a full version of Bullguard Internet Security for just £19.
  To order click here http://www.val-u-computers.co.uk/acatalog/software.html
• If the above two options do not work, you can run the system restore disk sent with your laptop. This will wipe the hard drive so back up important documents

If you are getting a blue screen it is possible that one of the RAM chips installed has become dislodged in transit. There may be one or two RAM chips installed, depending on the amount of memory you ordered and its configuration. To try and resolve this problem, try the following:

• Ensure the laptop is switched off and disconnected from the mains
• Turn the laptop over and remove the battery
• Remove the flap on the base of the laptop ( this may be marked with a M or with a picture of a RAM chip)
• Remove any RAM chips under this flap by pulling the metal clips apart.
• Replace the RAM chips, and push them into place - the metal clips will click and lock them into place.
• Replace the flap, battery, turn the laptop over, plug the mains cable in and turn it on.

If this does not help, or there are no RAM chips on the underside, it is possible that the problem is caused by another RAM chip found under the keyboard. You can try the procedure described above with this chip, but only do so if you are confident you know how. You will be exposing the entire motherboard and can damage your laptop easily.

To get the best performance out of the battery, ensure that you have fully charged it and at least twice a month ensure that it is fully charged and allowed to fully discharge.

Windows Activation is Microsoft’s standard anti-piracy tool. You can activate online or over the ‘phone (0800 number). To activate follow the instructions on-screen provided by the Activation Wizard. You may be prompted to change your product key during this process. This can be found on a sticker called the Certificate of Authenticity which is on the base of your laptop.

This can be found on a sticker called the Certificate of Authenticity which is on the base of your laptop.

To open the Device Manager press the Windows key (bottom left of the keyboard) and the Pause/Break key (top right of the keyboard). A window titled System Properties will appear. Choose the Hardware tab, and then choose Device Manager.

Nothing! This is a system restore disk and should only be used in the event that your Windows installation has become corrupted or you wish to return you laptop to the state it was in when it left our workshop.

Try the following:

• Check your drive is capable of reading DVDs and not just CDs. For Dell laptops you can slide the drive out of the laptop by pressing the large eject button on the bottom right of the front of the drive and pulling it out. There will be a description of the drive on top as you slide it out.
• Download and install a program called VLC, found herehttp://www.videolan.org/vlc/

If you have not installed anti-virus software and have been downloading software from the Internet it is likely that you have a virus, or some form of malware. You should install an anti-virus program and run a full system scan. We can supply a full version of Bullguard Internet Security for just £19. To order click here http://www.val-u-computers.co.uk/acatalog/software.html