Presario 1200 Series
Models: 1255, 1256, 1260, 1262, 1266, 1267, 1272, 1273, 1274, and 1275
Before You Begin | | Specifications | | Parts Catalog |
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Removal Sequence | | Troubleshooting | | Battery Operations |
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| | | | Index |
Product Description | | Pin Assignments | |
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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:
●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 display assembly.
Replace the system board. No adjustment is possible.
**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.
Defective inverter board.
Defective display cable.
Defective system board.
Replace the display assembly.
Replace the display assembly. 
Replace the system board.