Battery Pack and Battery Gauge Problems (see also Power Problems) |
Problem |
Probable Cause |
Solution(s) |
Computer won't turn
on when battery pack is inserted and power cord is unplugged. |
Battery pack is discharged. |
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
and battery LED icon is blinking. |
Battery charge is low. |
Immediately save any open
file(s). Then either:
- Connect the computer to an external power source to charge
the battery pack, or
- 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 unit) blinks to indicate low battery condition, but computer does not beep. |
Volume is turned down too low. |
Adjust the volume. |
Battery LED icon
doesn't light and battery pack won't fast charge. |
Battery pack is already charged. |
No action is necessary.
|
Battery pack was exposed to
temperature extremes. |
Allow time for the battery pack
to return to room temperature. |
Battery pack is at end of its
life. |
Replace battery pack. |
You have to set the date and time
every time you turn on the computer. |
RTC battery is dead. |
Replace the RTC battery. |
Battery pack is warm to the touch
after charging. |
Normal warming has occurred due
to charging. |
No action is required. |
Battery pack
operating time is far less than the documented average operating time. |
Power management is turned off or
disabled. |
Enable power management in
Computer Setup and in Windows Power Properties. |
An external device or PC Card is
draining the battery. |
Turn off or disconnect external
devices when not using them. |
Battery pack has partially
self-discharged. |
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. |
Battery pack is being exposed to
high temperatures or extremely cold temperatures. |
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. |
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. |
Computer is writing to
the wrong drive. |
Check the drive letter in
the path statement. |
Not enough space is left
on the diskette. |
Use another 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. |
Use the type of diskette
required by the drive. |
Diskette has a bad sector. |
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 drive A. |
Put the bootable diskette
in drive A. |
Diskette Boot has
incorrect setting in Computer Setup. |
Run Computer Setup and set
diskette as first to boot. |