Compaq 305 specifications Solving Minor Problems, Probable Cause

Presario 305 Model

Before You Begin	Specifications	Parts Catalog
Removal Sequence	Troubleshooting	Battery Operations
		Index
Product Description	Pin Assignments

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.

Audio	Battery pack	Battery gauge	CD/DVD drive	Diskette/diskette
				drive
Display	Hard drive	Hardware	Keyboard	Memory
		installation
PC card	Power	Printer	Touchpad/pointing	Infrared
			device
USB	Modem

Audio Problems

Problem Probable Cause

Solution(s)

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

Internal speaker does not produce sound when an external audio source is connected to the stereo line-jack.

External microphone does not work.

No sound from headphones

Volume too low or too loud.

System beeps have been turned down.

Volume may be turned off or set too low.

Line input may not be connected properly.

Headphones or speakers are connected to the stereo speaker/headphone jack, which disables the internal speakers.

Volume may be muted.

Using the wrong type of microphone or microphone plug for the computer.

The microphone may not be connected properly.

Sound source not selected.

Audio settings are not set correctly.

Volume control on the computer is turned down. Volume or mixing controls set incorrectly.

Sound source not selected.

The headphones are connected to the wrong jack.

Volume or mixing controls set incorrectly.

Use the Fn+F5 hotkeys to turn up the system volume.

1.Adjust the overall volume by pressing Fn+F5 hotkeys.

2.Adjusting the sliding mixer controls by double-clicking the speaker icon on the Windows taskbar.

Check line input connection.

Disconnect the headphones or speakers to enable the internal speakers.

Uncheck the mute box in the volume properties.

Check to see if you are using a monophonic electret condenser microphone with a 3.5 mm plug.

Ensure that the microphone plug is properly connected to the mono microphone jack.

Ensure that the microphone is selected as the recording source in Control Panel, Multimedia and the recording level is adjusted.

Check the audio settings for game programs.

Adjust the computer volume with the Fn+F5 hotkeys.

1.Adjust the overall volume with the Fn+F5 hotkeys.

2.Use the mixing features available by double-clicking the speaker icon on the Windows taskbar.

Verify that the sound source is selected in Control Panel, Multimedia.

Check the connection.

1.Adjust the overall volume with the Fn+F5 hotkeys.

2.Check the mixing features

available by double-clicking the speaker icon on the Windows taskbar.

Battery Pack and Battery Gauge Problems (see also Power Problems)

Problem Probable Cause Solution(s)

Computer won't turn on Battery pack is discharged. when battery pack is

inserted and power cord is unplugged.

1.Connect the computer to an external power source and charge the battery pack.

2.Replace the battery pack with a fully charged battery pack.

Battery connectors may be bent or broken.

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	Battery pack charge is low.
and battery power light
is blinking.

Immediately save any open file(s). Then either:

●Connect the computer to an external power source to charge the battery pack.

●Replace the battery pack with another fully charged battery.

●Turn off the computer or initiate Hibernation until another power source or fully charged battery pack is available.

Computer battery	Volume is turned down too low.	Turn up the volume by using the Fn+F5
charge light blinks to		hotkeys.
indicate low battery
condition, but computer
does not beep.

Battery charge does not last very long.

Date and time must be set every time computer is turned on.

Battery pack is warm after charging.

Battery pack will not charge.

Computer shut down and memory was lost when replacing the battery pack.

Battery is exposed to high	Put the computer in a cooler place and
temperatures.	recharge the battery pack.
Battery pack was exposed to	Put the computer in a warmer place and
extremely cold temperatures.	recharge the battery pack.
	Keep the battery pack within the recommended
	temperature ranges:
	Operating: 50° F to 104° F (10° C to 40° C)
	Storage: 32° F to 86° F (0° C to 30° C )
Battery conservation is disabled or Reset the battery conservation level.
set to drain.
An external device is draining the	Turn off or remove any external device or PC
battery.	Cards when not in use.
Battery gauge may be inaccurate	Recalibrate the gauge.
and require recalibration.
Real Time Clock (RTC) battery is	Restore power, then turn on the computer with
has reached the end of its useful	the power switch.
life.
	Contact your Compaq authorized service
	provider to replace the RTC battery.
Normal warming occurs during	No action is required.
charging.
Battery pack was exposed to	Allow time for the battery pack to return to room
temperature extremes.	temperature.
	Keep the battery pack within the recommended
	temperature ranges:
	Operating: 50° F to 104° F (10° C to 40° C)
	Storage: 32° F to 86° F (0° C to 30° C )
	Recharge the battery pack.
Battery pack is already charged.	No action required.
Battery pack has exceeded its	Use a different battery pack.
useful life cycle.
Hibernation was not initiated	Work is lost.
before removing the battery pack.

Battery gauge seems	The battery pack may need
inaccurate.	calibration.
	The battery pack has reached the
	end of its useful life.

Recalibrate the battery. Replace the battery pack.

CD/DVD Drive Problems

Problem Probable Cause

Drive cannot read a disc. Disc is not properly seated in the drive.

Disc loaded in the loading tray upside down.

Disc has a scratch on its surface.

CD-ROM drive or DVD- Drive is not properly connected. ROM drive is not detected

by the computer.

Solution(s)

Open loading tray, insert the disc, then close the tray.

Open the loading tray, turn over the disc (label facing up), then close the tray.

Insert a different disc.

If you are running a version of Windows that was pre-installed by Compaq, remove the drive from the MultiBay and reinsert it.

If you are running a version of Windows that was not pre-installed by Compaq, turn the computer off. Then remove the drive from the MultiBay and reinsert it.

Problem

Drive cannot write to a diskette.

Diskette drive cannot read a diskette.

System cannot start up from diskette or SuperDisk LS- 120 drive.

Diskette and Diskette Drive Problems

Probable Cause Solution(s)

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

Writing to the wrong drive.	Check the drive letter in the path
	statement.
Not enough space is left	Save the information to another
on the diskette.	diskette.
Drive error has occurred.	Run Computer Checkup from the
	Compaq Diagnostics diskette.
Diskette is not formatted.	Format the diskette:
	If you are using Windows 98:
	1.	From the Windows desktop,
	select My Computer.
	2.	Select 3.5-in Floppy (A).
	3.	Select File, then Format.
	4.	Fill in the appropriate
	information, then select Start.

Drive is disabled.	Enable the proper drive through
	Device Manager.

Disable diskette write ability is Run Computer Setup. Select the

turned on.Storage icon. Make sure Disable diskette write ability is not checked.

Wrong type of diskette is	Use the type of diskette required by
being used.	the drive.
Diskette has a bad sector.	Copy files to hard drive or another
	diskette. Reformat bad diskette.
Drive error has occurred.	Run Computer Checkup from the
	Compaq Diagnostics diskette.
Diskette is not formatted.	Format the diskette:
	If you are using Windows 98:
	1.	From the Windows desktop,
	select My Computer.
	2.	Select 3.5-in Floppy (A).
	3.	Select File, then Format.
	4.	Fill in the appropriate
	information, then select Start.
A bootable diskette is not in	Verify that a diskette with the
the drive.	necessary system files is in the
	drive.
Diskette bootability is	Enable diskette bootability in
disabled in Computer Setup.	Computer Setup, Security menu.