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Maintenance & Service Guide
Presario 1200 Series
Model: 1245

 | Home Page | Notice | Preface | Product Description | Troubleshooting  
Illustrated Parts Catalog
Removal & Replacement Procedures | Specifications
Pin Assignments
| Battery Pack Operations


Solving Minor Problems

Some minor problems and possible solutions are outlined in the following tables. If the problem appears related to a software application, check the documentation provided with the software.

The following problems and possible solutions are addressed:

 

Solving Audio Problems

Some common audio problems and solutions are listed in the following table.

Solving Audio Problems

Problem Probable Cause Solution(s)
Computer does not beep after the Power-On Self-Test (POST). This is typical; it indicates successful completion of the Power-On Self-Test (POST). No action is required.

 

Solving Battery Pack and Battery Gauge Problems

Some common causes and solutions for battery pack problems are listed in the following table.
The "Solving Power Problems" section in this chapter may also be applicable.

Solving Battery Pack and Battery Gauge Problems

Problem Probable Cause Solution(s)
Computer won't turn on when battery pack is inserted and power cord is unplugged. Battery pack is discharged. Connect the computer to an external power source and charge the battery pack.

Replace the battery pack with a fully charged battery pack.

    Check the battery connectors on the system board to verify that they are evenly spaced and are not bent or broken.
Computer is beeping and battery LED icon is blinking. Battery charge is low. Immediately save any open file(s). Then do any one of the following:
  • Connect the computer to an external power source to charge the battery pack.
  • Turn off the computer or initiate Hibernation until you can find another power source or charge the battery pack.
Computer battery LED icon (front on the unit) blinks to indicate low battery condition, but computer does not beep. Volume is turned down too low. Adjust the volume.
Battery LED icon doesn't light and battery pack won't fast charge. Battery pack is already charged. No action is necessary.
  Battery pack was exposed to temperature extremes. Allow time for the battery pack to return to room temperature.
  Battery pack is at end of its life. Replace battery pack.
You have to set the date and time every time you turn on the computer. RTC battery is dead. Replace the RTC battery.
Battery charge does not last as long as expected. Battery is being exposed to high temperatures or extremely cold temperatures. Keep the battery pack within the recommended operating temperature range 50° F to 104° F (10° C to 40° C) or recommended storage range -4° F to 86° F
(-20° C to 30° C ). Recharge the battery pack.
  Battery has partially self-discharged. Recharge the battery. Discharge the battery completely and then recharge it.
  Power management is disabled. Set a power management level in Computer Setup.
  An external device or PC Card is draining the battery. Turn off or disconnect external devices when not using them.
Battery pack is warm to the touch after charging. Normal warming has occurred due to charging. No action is required.
Battery pack operating time is far less than the documented average operating time. Power management is turned off or disabled. Enable power management in Computer Setup and in Windows Power Properties.
  An external device or PC Card is draining the battery. Turn off or disconnect external devices when not using them.
  Battery pack has partially self-discharged. Condition the battery pack by fully charging, fully discharging, then fully recharging it.

To maintain the charge, leave battery packs in the computer when it is connected to external power.

If the computer is disconnected from external power for more than two weeks, remove battery packs from the computer to reduce the discharge rate.

  Battery pack is being exposed to high temperatures or extremely cold temperatures. Keep the battery pack within the recommended temperature ranges.
Operating: 50° F to 104° F
(10° C to 40° C)
Storage: -4° F to 86° F
(-20° C to 30° C )

Recharge the battery pack.

 

Solving CD Drive Problems

Some common causes and solutions for CD drive problems are listed in the following table.

Solving CD Drive Problems

Problem Probable Cause Solution(s)
CD drive cannot read a compact disc. Compact disc is upside down or is improperly inserted in the CD drive. Open the CD loading tray, lay the compact disc in it (label side up), then close the tray.
  CD is CD Plus or Pregap/Track 0 type. Cannot read these type CDs in 24x. Remove the CD.

 

Solving Diskette and Diskette Drive Problems

Some common causes and solutions for diskette and diskette drive problems are listed in the following table.

Solving Diskette and Diskette Drive Problems

Problem

Probable Cause

Solution(s)

Diskette drive cannot write to a diskette.

Diskette is write-protected.

Disable the diskette's write-protect feature or use a diskette that is not write-protected.

 

Computer is writing to the wrong drive.

Check the drive letter in the path statement.

 

Not enough space is left on the diskette.

Use another diskette.

 

Drive error has occurred.

Run Computer Checkup from the Compaq Diagnostics diskette.

 

Diskette is not formatted.

Format the diskette. At the system prompt, enter

FORMAT A:

Diskette drive cannot read a diskette.

The wrong type of diskette is being used.

Use the type of diskette required by the drive.

 

Diskette has a bad sector.

Copy files to hard drive or another diskette. Reformat bad floppy.

 

Drive error has occurred.

Run Computer Checkup from the Compaq Diagnostics diskette.

 

Diskette is not formatted.

Format the diskette. At the system prompt, enter

FORMAT A:

Cannot boot from diskette.

Bootable diskette is not in drive A.

Put the bootable diskette in drive A.

 

Diskette Boot has incorrect setting in Computer Setup.

Run Computer Setup and set diskette as first to boot.

 

Solving Display Problems

This section lists some common causes and solutions for computer display and external monitor problems.

You can perform a monitor self-test on an external VGA color or monochrome monitor by disconnecting the monitor from the computer. To do so, complete the following steps:

1. Turn off the monitor.

2. Turn off the computer.

3. Disconnect the monitor signal cable from the computer.

4. Turn on the monitor and allow it to warm up for one minute.

The display should be white. A narrow black border may also appear on the left and right sides of the display. Either of these displays indicates that the monitor is working properly.

Solving Display Problems

Problem

Probable Cause

Solution(s)

Screen is dim.

Control for brightness or contrast (if applicable) is not set properly.

Adjust the Brightness of the display by using   Fn + F7 or
Fn + F8.

Adjust the Contrast of the display by using Fn + F5 or Fn + F6.

Computer screen is in direct light.

Tilt display or move computer.

Screen is blank.

Screen save was initiated by Power Management due to lack of user activity.

Press any key or touch the
Touch Pad.

Display has overheated.

If computer is in direct sunlight, move it and allow it to cool off.

Display is blank and the Power icon is flashing, or the Suspend icon is present.

System is in Suspend mode.

Press any key or touch the
Touch Pad.

Internal display is blank and the screen on an external monitor displays information.

Display function was switched to the external monitor.

Use Fn + F3 to switch between LCD or CRT.

Internal display flashes or has garbled characters when computer is connected to external monitor.

Using 1024 × 768 or higher resolution on external monitor and have toggled back to internal display, which supports up to 800 × 600.

Restart the computer.

The light tubes on the edge of the display panel do not light up at all and Power-On Self-Test (POST) completes when the unit is powered up.** Improper backlight or display cable connections Replace the display assembly.
  Defective inverter board. Replace the display assembly.
  Defective display cable. Replace the display assembly.
  Defective display panel. Replace the display assembly.
  Defective system board. Replace the system board.
The light tubes on the edge of the display panel do not light up at all and Power-On Self-Test (POST) does not complete when the unit is powered up.** Defective system board. Replace the system board.
Backlight (brightness) cannot be adjusted with Fn + F7 or Fn + F8. Improper display cable connections. 1. Reseat the display cable to the system board.

2. Replace the display assembly.

  Defective inverter board. Replace the display assembly.
  Defective display cable. Replace the display assembly.
  Defective system board. Replace the system board.
Contrast cannot be adjusted with
Fn + F5 or Fn + F6.
System may have a TFT display (which is always at maximum contrast) No adjustment is possible.
  Improper display-cable connections. 1. Reseat the display cable to the system board.

2. Replace the display assembly.

  Defective inverter board. Replace the display assembly.
  Defective display cable. Replace the display assembly.
  Defective system board. Replace the system board.

 

** This problem indicates that the backlight or its power circuitry has failed. Since you cannot observe the POST result on the display panel when the backlight is not functioning, connect the unit to an external monitor before powering the unit up. If an external monitor is not available, verify that POST completes by opening and closing the display, listening for the single or double beep, and watching for the LEDs to turn on at the front of the computer.

 

Problem Probable Cause Solution(s)
This display panel has a continuous pattern across it (e.g., a "jailbars" pattern), has a single color on it, or has garbled graphics across the entire panel. This failure is for patterns across the entire panel
(not just on one section).
Improper display cable connections Reseat the display cable to the following until the problem is solved:

1. System board

2. Display assembly

Defective display cable. Replace the display assembly.
Defective inverter board. Replace the display assembly.
Defective system board. Replace the system board.
Ghost bars extending from graphics on the display. Common characteristic of STN displays. 1. Change the background colors.

2. Adjust the Contrast of the display by using Fn + F5 or Fn + F6.

A single line, a small group of lines, or a block appears on the display panel. This failure occurs in only a section of the display panel. Defective display panel. Replace the display assembly.

 

NOTE:

To perform a "self-test" on an external VGA color or monochrome monitor, note the following: The screen should be white. A narrow black border may also appear on the left and right sides of the display. Either of these displays indicates that the monitor is working properly.

Solving Hard Drive Problems

Some common causes and solutions for hard drive problems are listed in the following table.

CAUTION.GIF (182 bytes)

CAUTION: To prevent loss of information, always maintain an up-to-date backup of your hard drive at all times, in case of errors or failures.

 

Solving Hard Drive Problems

Problem Probable Cause Solution(s)
Reading hard drive takes an unusually long time after restarting the computer. System entered Hibernation due to low battery condition and is now exiting from it. Give the system time to restore the previously saved data to its exact state before Hibernation.
Hard drive error occurs. Hard drive has bad sectors or has failed. Run Computer Checkup.
Hard drive does not work. Hard drive is not seated properly. Turn off and unplug the computer, remove the battery pack, and remove and then reinstall the hard drive.

Solving Hardware Installation Problems

Some common causes and solutions for hardware installation problems are listed in the following table.

Solving Hardware Installation Problems

Problem Probable Cause Solutions(s)
A new device is not recognized as part of the computer system. Cable(s) of new external device are loose, or power cables are unplugged. Ensure that all cables are properly and securely connected.
  Power switch of new external device is not turned on. Turn off the computer, turn on the external device, then turn on the computer to integrate the device with the computer system.
  Device is not seated properly. Turn off the computer and reinsert the device.

 

Solving Keyboard/Numeric Keypad Problems

Some common causes and solutions for keyboard/numeric keypad problems are listed in the following table.

Solving Keyboard/Numeric Keypad Problems

Problem

Probable Cause

Solution(s)

Embedded numeric keypad on computer keyboard is disabled.

Num Lock function is not enabled.

Press the Shift+NumLk keys to enable the Num Lock function and embedded numeric keypad. The Num Lock icon on the status panel turns on.

Embedded numeric keypad is disabled and Num Lock function is on.

External numeric keypad is connected to the computer.

Disconnect the external numeric keypad from the computer.

 

Solving Memory Problems

Some common causes and solutions for memory problems are listed in the following table.

Solving Memory Problems

Problem

Probable Cause

Solution(s)

Memory count during Power-On Self-Test (POST) is incorrect.

Optional memory expansion card is installed incorrectly, is incompatible with the computer, or is defective.

Ensure that the optional memory expansion card is installed correctly.

"Out of Memory" message is displayed on the screen or insufficient memory error occurs during operation.

System ran out of memory for the application.

Check the application documentation for memory requirements.

Install additional memory.

Too many TSR (terminate-and stay-resident) applications are running.

Remove from memory any TSR applications that you do not need.

Solving Minor Problems (continued)

or return to the Troubleshooting index page.

 

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