Maintenance &
Service Guide
Presario 1200 Series
Models: 1255, 1257, 1260, 1262, 1266, and 1267
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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.
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. |
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 they are evenly spaced and that they 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. |
Problem |
Probable Cause |
Solution(s) |
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. |
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. |
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 Suspend icon is flashing. |
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. |
Problem |
Probable Cause |
Solution(s) |
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. |
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 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, small
group of lines, or 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, complete the following steps: 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. |
Some common causes and solutions for hard drive problems
are listed in the following table.
 |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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.
|