MAINTENANCE & SERVICE GUIDE

PROSIGNIA NOTEBOOK 190

INDEX PAGE

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

LEGAL NOTICE

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

REMOVAL & REPLACEMENT

ILLUSTRATED PARTS CATALOG

TROUBLESHOOTING

SPECIFICATIONS

Troubleshooting

Preliminary Steps

>Preliminaries

>Clearing Password

>POST

>Compaq Utilities

>Troubleshooting without Diagnostics

>Contacting Compaq

Before running POST, complete the following preliminary steps:

Use AC power when running POST or Computer Setup. A low

IMPORTANT: battery condition could initiate Hibernation and interrupt the test.

1.Obtain established passwords. Click here if you need to clear the password.

2.Ensure that the hard drive is installed in the computer.

3.Ensure that the battery pack is installed in the computer and the power cord is connected to the computer and plugged into an AC power source.

4.Turn on the computer.

5.If a power-on password has been established, type the password and press Enter.

6.Run Computer Setup. If a Setup password has been established, type the password and press Enter.

7.Turn off the computer and all external devices.

8.Disconnect external devices that you do not want to test. If you want to use the printer to log error messages, leave it connected to the computer.

9.Use Compaq Utilities and loopback plugs in the serial and parallel connectors if you plan to test these ports.

If a problem only occurs when an external device is connected to the NOTE: computer, the problem could be with the external device or its cable.

Isolate the problem by running POST with and without the external device connected.

Follow these steps to run Compaq Utilities:

If you are running Compaq Utilities from the hard drive, turn on or restart the computer. Press F10 when the cursor appears in the upper-right corner of the screen. If you do not press F10 in time, restart the computer and try again.

If you are running Compaq Utilities from diskette, insert the Compaq

Page 98
Image 98
Compaq 190 manual Preliminary Steps, Preliminaries

190 specifications

The Compaq 190, a significant player in the evolution of portable computing, was unveiled in the early 1990s at a time when the demand for mobility in technology was surging. As a member of Compaq's renowned line of portable PCs, the Compaq 190 was a bridge between desktop power and laptop convenience, offering an impressive array of features and technologies that appealed to both business professionals and technology enthusiasts.

One of the main features of the Compaq 190 was its compact size. Weighing under 10 pounds, it was designed for easy transport, allowing users to work remotely without sacrificing performance. The device was equipped with a 10.4-inch LCD display, providing a balance between portability and screen real estate. This display was notable for its clarity, allowing users to engage with applications effectively, whether in an office setting or on the go.

Under the hood, the Compaq 190 was powered by an Intel CPU, commonly featuring early generations of the Intel 386 processor. This gave the laptop the capability to run various software applications efficiently, making it suitable for word processing, spreadsheets, and basic graphical tasks. Furthermore, the inclusion of a built-in hard drive, typically around 40 MB, provided ample storage for documents and applications of that era.

In terms of connectivity, the Compaq 190 was equipped with standard ports of the time, including serial and parallel ports, allowing users to connect external devices such as printers and modems. The addition of a PCMCIA slot supported expansion, enabling users to enhance functionality with network cards, additional storage, or even modems for internet connectivity.

Battery life was another essential characteristic of the Compaq 190, with options available for extended use. Users could expect several hours of operation away from an electrical outlet, a crucial feature for professionals frequently traveling for work.

Overall, the Compaq 190 represented a pivotal moment in portable computing technology. With its combination of portability, processing power, and essential features, it offered solutions for a generation that valued both functionality and mobility. The legacy of the Compaq 190 continues to influence the design and capabilities of modern laptops, reminding us of the early advancements that paved the way for today’s computing devices.