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. |
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. |
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.
Solving Display Problems |
Problem |
Probable Cause |
Solution(s) |
Screen is dim.
|
Control for brightness or contrast (if
applicable) is not set properly. |
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 ( ). |
Computer screen is in direct light. |
Tilt display or move computer. |
Screen is blank.
|
Screen save was initiated by Power Management due
to lack of user activity. |
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
flashing. |
System is in Suspend mode. |
Press any key or touch the Touch Pad. |
Internal display is blank and the screen on an
external monitor displays information. |
Display function was switched to the external
monitor. |
Use Fn + F2 to switch between LCD
or CRT. |
Problem |
Probable Cause |
Solution(s) |
Internal display flashes or has garbled
characters when computer is connected to external monitor. |
Using 1024 x 768 or higher resolution on
external monitor and have toggled back to internal display, which supports up to
800 x 600. |
Restart the computer. |
The
light tubes 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 connections |
Replace the
display assembly. |
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 do not light up at all and Power-On Self-Test (POST) does
not complete when the unit is powered up.** |
Defective
system board. |
Replace the
system board. |
Backlight
(brightness) cannot be adjusted with Fn + F7 (¯ ) or
Fn + F8 ( ).*** |
Improper
display cable connections. |
1. Reseat the
display cable to the system board. 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
Fn + F5 (¯ ) or Fn + F6 ( ). |
Improper
display cable connections. |
1. Reseat the
display cable to the system board. 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. |
**
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 |
Probable Cause |
Solution(s) |
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). |
Improper
display cable connections |
Reseat
the display cable to the following 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. |
Ghost
bars extending from graphics on the display. |
Common
characteristic of STN displays. |
1.
Change the background colors. 2.
Adjust the Contrast of the display by using Fn + F5 (¯ ) or Fn + F6
( ). |
A
single line, small group of lines, or block appears on the display panel. This failure
occurs in only a section of the display panel. |
Defective
display panel. |
Replace
the display assembly. |
Solving Hard Drive Problems |
Problem |
Probable Cause |
Solution(s) |
Reading
hard drive takes an unusually long time after restarting the computer. |
System
entered Hibernation due to low battery condition and is now exiting from it. |
Give the
system time to restore the previously saved data to its exact state before Hibernation. |
Hard
drive error occurs. |
Hard
drive has bad sectors or has failed. |
Run
Computer Checkup. |
Hard
drive does not work. |
Hard
drive is not seated properly. |
Turn off
and unplug the computer, remove the battery pack, and remove and then reinstall the hard
drive. |
Solving
Hardware Installation Problems |
Problem |
Probable Cause |
Solutions(s) |
A new
device is not recognized as part of the computer system. |
Cable(s) of new
external device are loose or power cables are unplugged. |
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. |
Device is not seated
properly. |
Turn off the
computer and reinsert the device. |
Solving Memory Problems |
Problem |
Probable Cause |
Solution(s) |
Memory count during Power-On Self-Test (POST) is
incorrect. |
Optional memory expansion card is installed
incorrectly, is incompatible with the computer, or is defective. |
Ensure that the optional memory expansion card is
installed correctly. |
"Out
of Memory" message is displayed on the screen or insufficient memory
error occurs during operation. |
System ran out of memory for the
application. |
Check the application documentation for memory
requirements.
Install additional memory. |
Too many TSR (terminate-and stay-resident)
applications are running. |
Remove from memory any TSR applications that you
do not need. |