key is to make use of the USB port on the laptop, which is relatively robust
and extremely versatile.The USB port can be used for network interface cards for Ethernet, external
pointing devices, serial and parallel port adapters, and even as connectors to
external monitors and televisions. If your laptop has only one USB port, it can
be expanded through the use of a hub. Another workaround for some of the
same devices is the PC Card slot.Your Machine Won’t Start ...........................................................................
You press the on button and look away for a moment to organize your work-
space; it always takes at least 10 seconds (and sometimes more) for the
machine to come to life, and not many people enjoy staring at a blank screen
even for just that short period of time. But then you look back and the screen
is still black.Don’t panic. A laptop might not come to life for many reasons, and most of
them are easy to fix. Let me work through the most common causes.The battery isn’t providing power ...................................................
Check to see that the battery has not been accidentally disconnected from
the laptop. Most machines place the battery in a bay or a slot on the under-
side of the machine with a latch to hold it in place; that latch can become
dislodged during travel.The battery may also be completely discharged. Usually, though, a laptop
shuts down when battery power declines to about 5 percent of full capacity;
that’s usually enough to allow the machine to begin to come to life the next
time you try to start it but not sufficient to permit operation.Batteries do not last forever. They usually have a period of slow decline during
which they hold their charge for a shorter period of time, or the number of
hours they power the laptop decline. The final stage for some batteries is
essentially a short: They will not accept a charge at all.The best way to determine if the battery is not working properly is to check
to see if the machine works properly when connected to an AC adapter. Most
laptops can be run from a wall current without a battery present.Chapter 20: Ten Quick Solutions 307