Compaq.com - Compaq Presario Maintenance and Service Guide - 3500 Series
United States December 9, 2002
Maintenance & Service Guide
Presario 3500 Series Personal Computers
MSG Index
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Troubleshooting without Diagnostics
If you encounter some minor problem with the computer or software application, go through the
following checklist for possible solutions before running any of the Diagnostic utilities:
●
Is the computer connected to a working power outlet?
●
Is the computer turned on and the power light illuminated?
●
Are all cables connected properly and seated?
●
Are all of the necessary device drivers installed?
●
Is the
CONFIG.SYS
file correct?
●
Is the
AUTOEXEC.BAT
file (MS-DOS) or
DOSSTART.BAT
file correct?
●
Was a non-bootable diskette loaded in the diskette drive at power-up?
●
Are all CMOS settings correct?
Click on a selection below identify some quick checks for common problems.
Solutions for Power Problems
Problem
Possible Solution
Computer will not turn on
Ensure that the computer is connected to a working
power source.
Computer does not automatically
display the date and time
The real-time clock (RTC) battery may need to be
replaced. See Removal and Replacement
Procedures.
Computer does not beep during POST
The speaker volume may have been turned down.
Push the volume control buttons on the computer
and adjust the volume or select the Volume option
from the Control Panel.
Computer powered off automatically
1. The unit may be in Sleep. If the amber light on
the front bezel is on, then the unit is in Sleep.
2. The unit temperature may have been exceeded.
Check the fan for function and blockage.
Diskette Drive Problems
Problem
Possible Solution
Diskette drive light stays on
1. Diskette may be damaged.
From the Windows desktop, click on the Start
button. Choose Programs=>Accessories=> System
Tools=>Scandisk to check for problems.
2. Diskette may be installed incorrectly. Remove the
diskette and reinsert.
3. Software program may be damaged. Check the
program diskettes.
Diskette drive cannot write to a
diskette
1. Diskette is not formatted. Format the diskette.
2. Diskette is write-protected. Either use another
diskette that is not write-protected, or disable the
write protection on the diskette.
3. Writing to the wrong drive. Check the drive letter
in your path statement.
4. Not enough space is left on the diskette. Use
another diskette to write the information.
Diskette drive cannot read a diskette
1. Diskette is not formatted. Format the diskette.
2. Using the wrong diskette type for the drive type.
Use a diskette that is compatible with the drive.
3. Reading the wrong drive. Check the drive letter in
your path statement.
4. Diskette drive has been disabled by Setup. Run
Setup and enable the diskette drive.
Solutions for Monitor Problems
Problem
Possible Solution
Characters are dim
The brightness control is not set properly. Adjust the
brightness control.
Screen is blank
1. A screen-blanking (energy-saving) utility could be
installed. Press any key. If the display reappears,
you have a screen-blanking utility installed.
2. The brightness needs adjusting. Adjust the
brightness control.
3. Screen saver has been initiated. Press any key or
move the mouse to light the screen.
4. System is in Sleep mode. Press the Sleep button
to wake up.
Garbled characters on the screen
are mixed with text
The ANSI.SYS driver is not in the
CONFIG.SYS
file.
Add the ANSI.SYS driver to the
CONFIG.SYS
file by
inserting the following line:
DEVICE = C:\
path
\ANSI.SYS
Monitor overheats
There is not enough ventilation space for proper
airflow. Leave at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) of
ventilation space. Also, be sure there is nothing on
top of the monitor to obstruct airflow.
Cursor will not move using the
arrow keys on the numeric keypad
1. The Num Lock key is on. Press the Num Lock key.
The Num Lock light should not be on when you want
to use the arrow keys.
2. Possible application error. Restart the computer.
Solutions for Hard Drive Problems
Problem
Possible Solution
Hard drive error occurs
Hard disk has bad sectors or has failed. Run Setup.
Reformat the hard disk.
Disk transaction problem
The directory structure is bad or there is a problem
with a file.
From the Windows desktop, click on the Start
button. Choose Programs=>Accessories => System
Tools=>Scandisk to check for problems. If problems
exist, run Scandisk and click on the "Automatically
fix errors" checkbox at the bottom to correct the
problems. If a large number of lost allocation units
is found, click on the Start button. Choose
Programs=> Accessories=>System Tools=>Disk
Defragmenter.
Drive not found
Cable could be loose. Check cable connections.
Nonsystem disk message
1. The system is trying to start from a diskette that
is not bootable. Remove the diskette from the
diskette drive.
2. The system is trying to start from the hard drive
but the hard disk has been damaged. Insert a
bootable diskette into the diskette drive and restart
the computer with Ctrl+Alt+Del.
3. Diskette boot has been disabled in Setup. Run
Setup and enable diskette boot.
Hard drive operation seems slow
The hard disk files may be fragmented.
From the Windows desktop, click on the Start
button. Choose Programs =>Accessories =>System
Tools =>Scandisk to check for problems. If
problems exist, run Scandisk and checkmark the
"Automatically fix errors" box at the bottom to
correct the problems. If a large number of lost
allocation units is found, click on the Start button.
Choose Programs => Accessories=>System
Tools=> Disk Defragmenter.
Hard drive activity light is not on,
or stays on without blinking
The hard disk files may be fragmented.
From the Windows desktop, click on the Start
button. Choose Programs=> Accessories => System
Tools=>Scandisk to check for problems. If problems
exist, run Scandisk and checkmark the
"Automatically fix errors" box at the bottom to
correct the problems. If a large number of lost
allocation units is found, click on the Start button.
Choose Programs=> Accessories => System
Tools=>Disk Defragmenter.
Solutions for CD Drive Problems
Problem
Possible Solution
Cannot read compact disc
1. CD is not properly seated in the drive. Eject the
CD, press down on the CD firmly to correctly seat it
in the drive, then reload.
2. CD has been loaded upside down. Eject the CD,
turn it over, then reload.
3. CD may be dirty or scratched. Load another CD.
Cannot eject compact disc
CD is not properly seated in the drive. Turn off the
computer, insert a thin metal rod into the
emergency eject hole, then push firmly (a
straightened paper clip can be used). Slowly pull the
tray out from the drive until the tray is fully
extended, then remove the CD.
CD drive devices are not detected;
driver is not loaded
1. CD drive is not connected properly. Open the
computer and check to see that the drive cable is
connected properly.
2. Ensure the correct driver is installed in
CONFIG.SYS.
3. If drive has been changed, make sure the jumper
setting is set for "Slave."
Solutions for USB Problems
Problem
Possible Solution
USB device does not work with the
system.
The USB device and the system may use different
USB architectures. Ensure that the USB device and
the system share the same USB architecture. (UHCI-
compliant devices will only work with a UHCI-
compliant system, and OHCI-compliant devices will
only work with a OHCI-compliant system).
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