Presario Series
Models: 1246, 1247, 1277, 1278, and 1279
Home Page Notice Preface Product Description Troubleshooting Illustrated Parts Catalog Removal & Replacement Procedures Specifications Pin Assignments Battery Pack Operations
Troubleshooting Without Diagnostics
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.
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 | Solution(s) |
Computer won't turn on when battery | Battery pack is discharged. | Connect the computer to an external |
pack is inserted and power cord is | | power source and charge the battery |
unplugged. | | 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 | Battery charge is low. | Immediately save any open file(s). Then |
icon is blinking. | | 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 Volume is turned down too low. 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.
Problem | Probable Cause |
Battery charge does not last as long | Battery is being exposed to high |
as expected. | 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.
Solution(s)
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 pack is warm to the touch after charging.
Battery pack operating time is far less than the documented average operating time.
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 | Turn off or disconnect external devices |
the battery. | when not using them. |
Normal warming has occurred due to | No action is required. |
charging. | |
Power management is turned off or | Enable power management in Computer |
disabled. | Setup and in Windows Power Properties. |
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.
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. Diskette is write-protected.
Disable the diskette's write-protect feature or use a diskette that is not write-protected.
Diskette drive cannot read a diskette.
Cannot boot from diskette.
Computer is writing to the wrong drive.
Not enough space is left on the diskette.
Drive error has occurred.
Diskette is not formatted.
The wrong type of diskette is being used.
Diskette has a bad sector.
Drive error has occurred.
Diskette is not formatted.
Bootable diskette is not in drive A.
Diskette Boot has incorrect setting in Computer Setup.
Check the drive letter in the path statement.
Use another diskette.
Run Computer Checkup from the Compaq Diagnostics diskette.
Format the diskette. At the system prompt, enter FORMAT A:
Use the type of diskette required by the drive.
Copy files to hard drive or another diskette. Reformat bad floppy.
Run Computer Checkup from the Compaq Diagnostics diskette.
Format the diskette. At the system prompt, enter FORMAT A:
Put the bootable diskette in drive A.
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 |
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 Suspend icon is | System is in Suspend mode. | Press any key or touch the Touch Pad. |
flashing. | | |
Internal display is blank and the screen | Display function was switched to the | Use Fn + F2 to switch between LCD or |
on an external monitor displays | external monitor. | CRT. |
information. | | |
Problem | Probable Cause | Solution(s) |
Internal display flashes or has garbled characters when computer is connected to external 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 tubes on the edge of the display panel | Improper backlight or display | Replace the display assembly. |
do not light up at all and Power-On Self-Test | cable connections | |
(POST) completes when the unit is powered | | |
up.** | | |
| 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 | Defective system board. | Replace the system board. |
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 | 1. Reseat the display cable to the |
Fn + F7 (¯ ) or | connections. | system board. |
Fn + F8 (- ).*** | | |
| | 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 | Improper display cable | 1. Reseat the display cable to the |
Fn + F5 (¯ ) or Fn + F6 (- ). | connections. | system board. |
| | 2. Replace the display assembly. |
**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
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, small group of lines, or 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.
Solutions(s)
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.
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 computer | Num Lock function is not enabled. | Press the Shift+NumLk keys to |
keyboard is disabled. | | 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 | External numeric keypad is | Disconnect the external numeric |
Num Lock function is on. | connected to the computer. | keypad from the 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-Test | Optional memory expansion card | Ensure that the optional memory |
(POST) is incorrect. | is installed incorrectly, | expansion card is installed correctly. |
| is incompatible with the computer, or | |
| is defective. | |
"Out of Memory" message is displayed on the | System ran out of memory for the | Check the application documentation |
screen or insufficient memory error occurs | application. | for memory requirements. |
during operation. | | |
| | Install additional memory. |
Too many TSR (terminate-and stay- resident) applications are running.
Remove from memory any TSR applications that you do not need.
Defective inverter board.
Defective display cable. 
Defective system board.
Replace the display assembly.
Replace the display assembly. 
Replace the system board.
Device is not seated properly.