Solving Minor Problems

Presario 1200 Series

Models: 1255, 1256, 1260, 1262, 1266, 1267, 1272, 1273, 1274, and 1275

Before You Begin	Specifications	Parts Catalog


Removal Sequence	Troubleshooting	Battery Operations

		Index
Product Description	Pin Assignments	Index

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:

●Audio Problems

●Battery Pack and Battery Gauge Problems

●CD Drive Problems

●Diskette and Diskette Drive Problems

●Display Problems

●Hard Drive Problems

●Hardware Installation Problems

●Keyboard/Numeric Keypad Problems

●Memory Problems

Solving Audio Problems

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

Solving Audio Problems

Problem

Computer does not beep after the Power-On Self-Test (POST).

Probable Cause	Solution(s)
This is typical; it indicates successful	No action is required.
completion of the Power-On Self-Test
(POST).

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
Computer won't turn on when battery	Battery pack is discharged.
pack is inserted and power cord is
unplugged.

Computer is beeping and battery LED	Battery charge is low.
icon is blinking.

Solution(s)

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.

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	Volume is turned down too low.
the unit) blinks to indicate low battery
condition, but computer does not beep.
Battery LED icon doesn't light and	Battery pack is already charged.
battery pack won't fast charge.
	Battery pack was exposed to
	temperature extremes.
	Battery pack is at end of its life.
You have to set the date and time every RTC battery is dead.
time you turn on the computer.
Battery charge does not last as long as	Battery is being exposed to high
expected.	temperatures or extremely cold
	temperatures.

	Battery has partially self-discharged.
	Power management is disabled.
	An external device or PC Card is
	draining the battery.
Battery pack is warm to the touch after	Normal warming has occurred due to
charging.	charging.
Battery pack operating time is far less	Power management is turned off or

than the documented average operating disabled. time.

An external device or PC Card is draining the battery.

Battery pack has partially self- discharged.

Battery pack is being exposed to high temperatures or extremely cold temperatures.

Adjust the volume.

No action is necessary.

Allow time for the battery pack to return to room temperature.

Replace battery pack.

Replace the RTC battery.

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.

Recharge the battery. Discharge the battery completely and then recharge it.

Set a power management level in Computer Setup.

Turn off or disconnect external devices when not using them.

No action is required.

Enable power management in Computer Setup and in Windows Power Properties.

Turn off or disconnect external devices when not using them.

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.

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 is write-protected.	Disable the diskette's write-
diskette.		protect feature or use a
		diskette that is not write-
		protected.
	Computer is writing to	Check the drive letter in the
	the wrong drive.	path statement.
	Not enough space is left	Use another diskette.
	on the 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.

Diskette has a bad sector.

Use the type of diskette required by the drive.

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	Put the bootable diskette in
	drive A.	drive A.
	Diskette Boot has incorrect	Run Computer Setup and set
	setting in Computer Setup.	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
Screen is dim.	Control for brightness or
	contrast (if applicable) is not
	set properly.

	Computer screen is in direct
	light.
Screen is blank.	Screen save was initiated by
	Power Management due to
	lack of user activity.

Solution(s)

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.

Tilt display or move computer.

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	System is in Suspend mode. Press any key or touch the
is flashing, or the Suspend icon is		Touch Pad.
present.

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

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

Display function was	Use Fn + F3 to switch
switched to the external	between LCD or CRT.
monitor.
Using 1024 × 768 or higher	Restart the computer.
resolution on external
monitor and have toggled
back to internal display,
which supports up to 800 ×
600.

The light tube-s 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 Replace the display assembly. connections

	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	Defective system board.	Replace the system board.
panel do not light up at all and Power-On Self-
Test (POST) does not complete when the unit
is powered up.**

Backlight (brightness) cannot be adjusted with Improper display cable connections. Fn + F7 or Fn + F8.

	Defective inverter board.
	Defective display cable.
	Defective system board.
Contrast cannot be adjusted with	System may have a TFT display
Fn + F5 or Fn + F6.	(which is always at maximum
	contrast)

1.Reseat the display cable to the system board.

2.Replace the display assembly.

Replace the display assembly.

Replace the system board. No adjustment is possible.

Improper display-cable connections.

Defective inverter board.

Defective display cable.

Defective system board.

1.Reseat the display cable to the system board.

2.Replace the display assembly.

Replace the display assembly.

Replace the display assembly. 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

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).

Ghost bars extending from graphics on the display.

Probable Cause	Solution(s)
Improper display cable	Reseat the display cable to the following
connections	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.
Common characteristic of STN	1.	Change the background colors.
displays.
	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 Defective display panel.	Replace the display assembly.
appears on the display panel. This failure
occurs in only a section of the display panel.

To perform a "self-test" on an external VGA color or monochrome monitor, complete the following steps: The

NOTE: 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: 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
Reading hard drive takes an unusually	System entered Hibernation due to
long time after restarting the computer.	low battery condition and is now
	exiting from it.
Hard drive error occurs.	Hard drive has bad sectors or has
	failed.
Hard drive does not work.	Hard drive is not seated properly.

Solution(s)

Give the system time to restore the previously saved data to its exact state before Hibernation.

Run Computer Checkup.

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

A new device is not recognized as part of the computer system.

Probable Cause

Cable(s) of new external device are loose, or power cables are unplugged.

Power switch of new external device is not turned on.

Solutions(s)

Ensure that all cables are properly and securely connected.

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	Num Lock function is not	Press the Shift+NumLk keys
computer keyboard is disabled.	enabled.	to enable the Num Lock
		function and embedded
		numeric keypad. The Num
		Lock icon on the status panel
		turns on.
Embedded numeric keypad is	External numeric keypad is	Disconnect the external
disabled and Num Lock function is	connected to the computer.	numeric keypad from the
on.		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- Optional memory expansion		Ensure that the optional
Test (POST) is incorrect.	card is installed incorrectly,	memory expansion card is
	is incompatible with	installed correctly.
	the computer, or is defective.

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

System ran out of

memory for the application.

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

Check the application documentation for memory requirements.

Install additional memory.

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

Solving Minor Problems (continued)

or return to the Troubleshooting index page.

1256, 1272, 1266, 1260, 1274 specifications

The Compaq series of printers, specifically the models 1273, 1267, 1275, 1262, and 1255, represents a noteworthy chapter in the realm of commercial printing technology from the 1990s. Each model was designed to cater to various user needs, ranging from high-quality document printing to efficient office use.

The Compaq 1273 is characterized by its robust performance aimed at small to medium businesses. This model is equipped with high-resolution printing capabilities which allows for sharp and vibrant output, making it ideal for presentations and marketing materials. The 1273 also supports multiple paper sizes, enhancing its versatility for different printing tasks.

Moving on to the Compaq 1267, this model bridges the gap between compact design and high efficiency. It features a user-friendly interface that simplifies the printing process, making it accessible for users with varying tech proficiency. Additionally, the 1267 incorporates a fast print speed, ensuring that tasks are completed quickly without sacrificing quality.

The Compaq 1275 is notable for integrating advanced printing technologies aimed at increasing productivity. This model offers both black-and-white and color printing options, catering to diverse printing needs. Furthermore, the 1275 supports network connectivity, allowing multiple users to share the printer effectively, fostering collaboration within office environments.

The Compaq 1262 places an emphasis on cost-effectiveness, appealing to budget-conscious consumers. It provides essential functionalities without unnecessary features, making it a solid choice for home offices. Despite its lower price point, it still upholds a commendable print quality, ensuring that users do not have to compromise.

Lastly, the Compaq 1255 offers basic printing capabilities that are particularly suited for everyday tasks. It is designed for users who require reliable performance without the bells and whistles of higher-end models. The 1255 is lightweight and compact, making it easy to fit into various spaces, ideal for smaller work areas.

In conclusion, the Compaq series 1273, 1267, 1275, 1262, and 1255 present a range of features catering to different audiences. Each model encapsulates the brand's commitment to quality, efficiency, and user-friendliness, making them attractive options for various printing needs in the business landscape of the 1990s.

Presario 1200 Series

Index