Q:  What if there is no response when the power is turned ON?

When using external power:

• Check the AC adapter.  The adapter's green indicator light should be ON.
• If the indicator light is off, check the AC adapter cable connection on both ends (system and power source).
• Turn the computer on.

If the Power is still not ON, then:

• Remove the battery (sometimes a defective battery will cause unit power failure).
• Connect AC adapter cable into the unit and plug it into the available power source.
• Test the power source for power, or try using a different power source.
• Leave the power ON for a while to charge the CMOS battery.  Sometimes the unit will not start up when CMOS battery is too low.
• Turn the computer on.

When using an internal power supply (battery):

• Check the battery.  Battery should be fully charged.
• Remove and re-insert the battery and ensure good contact.
• Turn the computer on.

Repeat the steps mentioned above.  If you have completed all steps and the computer still does not have power, please contact AMREL technical support

Q:  What if there is beeping sound but the power is not ON? 

• Were you able to hear a short beeping sound?  
  If yes, the unit's self-post test is OK.

• Were there any other sounds?  
  A repeating one long beep indicates that the unit did not detect the RAM.  Repeating one long and two short peeps indicates the unit did not detect the VGA.

• Continuous short beeps mean the unit's heater is ON.  Wait for few minutes to see if unit is ON after the unit warms up.

In you experience any of these cases, please contact AMREL technical support



Q:  What happens when the computer does a Boot Up?
The computer turns ON and loads the operating system (e.g. Windows) into the system memory. This startup procedure is called a "boot up."



Q:  What does the term "POST" mean?
POST stands for the ROM BIOS' Power on Self-Test (POST).  Each time the computer powers on, it automatically performs a self-test on its memory and hardware devices.



Q:  Why does my computer hang (hang: become stuck at one point in the boot up process) before the operating system starts?

First, identify how many of the following actions occur while the system is powering up:

1. The BIOS runs a POST (Power on Self-Test)
2. A single beep indicates the end of POST
3. Several brief status and copyright message will display on the screen
4. Basic devices are detected, especially HDD
5. A summary window will be displayed
6. The operating system will start loading

If your system hangs during Steps #1~5, call for service.  If your system successfully completes all steps except step #6:

• Make sure your HDD is connected tightly and correctly.
• Press F2 (or Del) key to get into system BIOS to see if your HDD is detected.
•  The operating system may be corrupted; you might want to try and reload windows (please refer to FAQ section – H. Reinstalling the Operating System).
• If reloading windows does not solve the problem or if you are unable to successfully complete the reinstallation of windows, your hard drive may be bad. Call the HDD manufacturer or contact AMREL technical support.  

Q:  What can I do if the computer seems slow?
Use an AC adapter.  The computer will run slower when driven by the battery.  Run SETUP; make sure that "Speed Step Technology" is enabled.  

Display & Touchscreen FAQs

Q:  What if there is no display after powering ON?

• Connect unit to an external monitor (LCD or CRT).
• If external monitor is operational, boot up to Windows, click graphic icon on task bar, keep cursor on Graphics Options and then click Graphics properties, and make sure the display is set to "Intel ® Dual Display clone."
• Increase the display's brightness by using the brightness control function keys (Fn+F3 and Fn+F4).
• If LCD is blank but the backlight is ON, or you can barely see the display and there is no backlight, contact AMREL technical support http://www.amrel.com/rugged-computers/contact-us.asp.

Q:  What if the power is ON, but the display powers off by itself after a certain period of time?

• Your unit may be in one of several "power saving" modes.
• Press any key on the keyboard or move the mouse around.  If the computer has been set to standby mode, this action will restore the display.
• For DP860, press the suspend button on front display panel.  For other units, press power button shortly. This will release the computer from suspend mode. The computer may switch into suspend mode if the display is left on and has been inactive for an extended period of time.

Q:  What if I can't get an external display to work after I connect it to my ROCKY?
Connect external display unit to the laptop before turn ON the unit

• Check the connection between the system and display unit.
• Check the display unit's power.  Make sure it is turned ON.
• Be sure separate power supplies are used for both the unit and external display. Your system unit and external display unit require separate power sources.
• Boot up to Windows, click graphic icon on task bar, keep cursor on Graphics Options and then click Graphics properties, and make sure the display is set to "Intel ® Dual Display clone."
• If possible, try using another external display unit to determine whether the monitor is malfunctioning or not.

Q:  My display doesn't seem to fit the LCD panel; there are black edges around the display.

• Boot up to Windows, click graphic icon on task bar.  Click on Graphics Options, then click Panel Fit.

Q:  What do I do if the Monitor (LCD and/or CRT) looks distorted?

• Check Windows display settings.
• Make sure the correct video driver is loaded.

Q:  What do I do if the touchscreen feature appears to be malfunctioning?

• For RT series, run system SETUP by pressing F2 (or Del) key, make sure COM1 is set to TTL.
• For DR series, make sure the Windows detects all COM ports (COM1 ~ COM4) correctly by checking device manager.
• Check to see if the touchscreen driver is loaded correctly.  Reload touchscreen driver if necessary.
• If you would like to reload the touchscreen driver, uninstall the old touchscreen driver first, and then find a correct version of the driver.  You can find the touchscreen driver in "My Documents" folder.
• Calibrate the touchscreen.

Hard Disk Drive (HDD) FAQs

Q:  What do I do if my HDD cannot be detected?

• Make sure the HDD is firmly plugged into the HDD bay.
• Press F2 (or Del) key to go into system BIOS to see if the HDD is detected.
• Make sure the HDD is formatted and the operating system is loaded correctly.

Q:  What do I do if my HDD (or Windows) is not functioning properly?

• Back up your data regularly.
• Run some software to check for bad sectors on the HDD.
• Run a virus scan to check for viruses.
• Run Defragment to manage your files when HDD is reaching capacity.
• If the operating system was able to start in safe mode, reset it to load missing files.
• Reload a clean copy of Windows.
• Contact AMREL technical support http://www.amrel.com/rugged-computers/contact-us.asp if you need further assistance.   

Battery FAQs

Q:  I can't use my ROCKY without being plugged into an outlet.  Whenever I put my battery in the ROCKY, the laptop doesn't detect it.  How can I get my battery to work?

• Inspect the battery to see if it is assembled correctly.  If there is a defect in the battery, do not use it.  Contact AMREL technical support immediately.
• Check the "power meter" in Windows.  If the battery level is too low, the battery will need to be recharged.
• Leave the battery in the bay and let it charge for a few hours. Leave "power meter" on to see if battery is charging correctly.
• After the battery is charged, try to operate the system by running on battery.
• If you have a voltage meter available, check the battery voltage.  If the voltage is lower than 9 volts, the battery may have one or more defective cells.

Q:  What do I do if the battery indicator is not lit?

• Please note that the battery indicator will be "off" when battery is fully charged.
• Check the "power meter" in Windows to see whether the battery is charging or fully charged already.
• Check the battery connection.  Remove and replace battery if necessary.
• Contact AMREL technical support http://www.amrel.com/rugged-computers/contact-us.asp if you need further assistance.

Keyboard FAQs

Q:  What do I do when the external USB keyboard cannot be detected or seems to be malfunctioning?

• Run SETUP to make sure the USB keyboard is set to "enabled."
• Check the connection between the keyboard and system.
• Plug the USB keyboard to a different USB slot (if available) and test functionality.
• Please call AMREL technical support http://www.amrel.com/rugged-computers/contact-us.asp for further assistance.  

Replacing Modules

Q:  How do I replace modules (e.g. floppy disk drive, CD-ROM, hard disk drive, etc.)?
**Caution! You must turn the power OFF before replacing the FDD, CD-ROM, and HDD modules.

• Turn OFF the computer.
• Disconnect all power sources.  Remove the battery from the compartment.
• Use a coin to turn the screws loose on the modules.
• Push the latch knob to release the CD-ROM or HDD module and push them outward.
• Remove the module from the computer.

To replace the modules:

• Insert the module into the module compartment.  Make sure the module is fully seated in the compartment.
• Use a coin to tighten the screws on the module and secured to the computer.
• Reinsert the battery into the battery compartment.
• Reconnect all cables to the computer.
• Turn ON the computer.

Other Questions

• Click on "Start"
• Select "Settings," then select "Control Panel"
• Select "Power Options."  You can set length of time required for the system to be idle before entering power saving mode.

Q:  Why does it take a long time for my unit to load Windows?
Most likely you have a long list of files in the Windows Start menu. The operating system (Windows) is attempting to locate them.
To remove the list of recently used documents if you are comfortable with changing the software:

1. Click on "Start"
2. Select "Run"
3. Type "MSConfig" in the dialog box



4. Click OK



5. On System Configuration Utility dialog box, choose the Startup tab.
6. Uncheck the programs not necessary for your startup.

Q:  I'm trying to use an external serial mouse, but none of the ports will recognize it.

• If you currently have a touchscreen, then COM1 is most likely occupied by the touchscreen.  
• If your unit has another device occupying COM2, then none of the ports will recognize the serial mouse. 
• If you would like to release the ports, restart the computer.  Press the F2 (or Del) button to go to Setup, go to "Integrated Peripherals," and set the ports to the default settings.

Q:  I recently bought a new printer, but it doesn't work when I plug it in my notebook computer.  However, it works fine with my desktop.
For most printers there is no special requirement for connection. However, some printer cables do not contain all 25 wires.  To avoid malfunctioning, the printer adapter cable that comes with your computer should be attached to the printer cable.  The purpose of this is to reconnect all the ground pins, which guarantees the printer and computer will interact properly. External devices like a scanner, a Laplink cable, etc. should also be connected to the ROCKY notebook computer using the printer adapter cable in order to guarantee proper operation.



Q:  How do I find the drivers for my Rocky?
When you purchased your Rocky, there is a utility CD in the accessory box.  The utility CD includes all drivers and the user manual.  Store it in a safe place for future use.  You can also visit AMREL's Support & Downloads
page to download the drivers.



Q:  How do I send a defective unit back for repair?
If you believe your unit is defective and would like to send it in for service, you will need to follow the instruction below and obtain an RMA number to send the unit back.  
You can submit a request form

• online, or you can call (800) 654-9838 to speak with a live customer service representative. 
• Please put the RMA number on the outside of your shipping box to ensure AMREL's shipping department to deliver your unit to the correct department. 
• Always include a note with the unit including your problem description, contact information, and correct mailing address. 
• Turnaround time is about 5~7 business days.