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Maintenance & Service Guide
Presario 305 Model

MSG Index | Home Page | Notice | Preface | Product Description | Troubleshooting  
Illustrated Parts Catalog
Removal & Replacement Procedures | Specifications
Pin Assignments
| Battery Pack Operations


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.

Audio  Battery pack  Battery gauge      CD/DVD drive Diskette/diskette drive
Display     Hard drive Hardware installation Keyboard  Memory
PC card  Power Printer   Touchpad/pointing device Infrared
USB Modem

 

Audio Problems

Problem Probable Cause Solution(s)
Computer does not beep after the Power-On Self-Test (POST). System beeps have been turned down. Use the Fn+F5 hotkeys to turn up the system volume.
Internal speaker does not produce sound when an external audio source is connected to the stereo line-jack. Volume may be turned off or set too low. 1. Adjust the overall volume by pressing Fn+F5 hotkeys.
2. Adjusting the sliding mixer controls by double-clicking the speaker icon on the Windows taskbar.
Line input may not be connected properly. Check line input connection.
Headphones or speakers are connected to the stereo speaker/headphone jack, which disables the internal speakers. Disconnect the headphones or speakers to enable the internal speakers.
Volume may be muted. Uncheck the mute box in the volume properties.
External microphone does not work. Using the wrong type of microphone or microphone plug for the computer. Check to see if you are using a monophonic electret condenser microphone with a 3.5 mm plug.
The microphone may not be connected properly. Ensure that the microphone plug is properly connected to the mono microphone jack.
Sound source not selected. Ensure that the microphone is selected as the recording source in Control Panel, Multimedia and the recording level is adjusted.
Audio settings are not set correctly. Check the audio settings for game programs.
Volume control on the computer is turned down. Adjust the computer volume with the Fn+F5 hotkeys.
No sound from headphones Volume or mixing controls set incorrectly. 1. Adjust the overall volume with the Fn+F5 hotkeys.
2. Use the mixing features available by double-clicking the speaker icon on the Windows taskbar.
Sound source not selected. Verify that the sound source is selected in Control Panel, Multimedia.
The headphones are connected to the wrong jack. Check the connection.
Volume too low or too loud. Volume or mixing controls set incorrectly. 1. Adjust the overall volume with the Fn+F5 hotkeys.
2. Check the mixing features available by double-clicking the speaker icon on the Windows taskbar.

 

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 power light is blinking. Battery pack charge is low. Immediately save any open file(s). Then either:
  • Connect the computer to an external power source to charge the battery pack.
  • Replace the battery pack with another fully charged battery.
  • Turn off the computer or initiate Hibernation until another power source or fully charged battery pack is available.
Computer battery charge light blinks to indicate low battery condition, but computer does not beep. Volume is turned down too low. Turn up the volume by using the Fn+F5 hotkeys.
Battery charge does not last very long. Battery is exposed to high temperatures. Put the computer in a cooler place and recharge the battery pack.
Battery pack was exposed to extremely cold temperatures. Put the computer in a warmer place and recharge the battery pack.

Keep the battery pack within the recommended temperature ranges:
Operating: 50° F to 104° F (10° C to 40° C)
Storage: 32° F to 86° F (0° C to 30° C )

Battery conservation is disabled or set to drain. Reset the battery conservation level.
An external device is draining the battery. Turn off or remove any external device or PC Cards when not in use.
Battery gauge may be inaccurate and require recalibration. Recalibrate the gauge.
Date and time must be set every time computer is turned on. Real Time Clock (RTC) battery is has reached the end of its useful life. Restore power, then turn on the computer with the power switch.

Contact your Compaq authorized service provider to replace the RTC battery.

Battery pack is warm after charging. Normal warming occurs during charging. No action is required.
Battery pack will not charge. Battery pack was exposed to temperature extremes. Allow time for the battery pack to return to room temperature.

Keep the battery pack within the recommended temperature ranges:
Operating: 50° F to 104° F (10° C to 40° C)
Storage: 32° F to 86° F (0° C to 30° C )

Recharge the battery pack.

Battery pack is already charged. No action required.
Battery pack has exceeded its useful life cycle. Use a different battery pack.
Computer shut down and memory was lost when replacing the battery pack. Hibernation was not initiated before removing the battery pack. Work is lost.
Battery gauge seems inaccurate. The battery pack may need calibration. Recalibrate the battery.
The battery pack has reached the end of its useful life. Replace the battery pack.

 

 

CD/DVD Drive Problems

Problem Probable Cause Solution(s)
Drive cannot read a disc. Disc is not properly seated in the drive. Open loading tray, insert the disc, then close the tray.
Disc loaded in the loading tray upside down. Open the loading tray, turn over the disc (label facing up), then close the tray.
Disc has a scratch on its surface. Insert a different disc.
CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive is not detected by the computer. Drive is not properly connected. If you are running a version of Windows that was pre-installed by Compaq, remove the drive from the MultiBay and reinsert it.
  If you are running a version of Windows that was not pre-installed by Compaq, turn the computer off. Then remove the drive from the MultiBay and reinsert it.

 

Diskette and Diskette Drive Problems

Problem

Probable Cause

Solution(s)

Drive cannot write to a diskette.

 

 

 

 

Diskette is write-protected.

Disable the write-protect feature or use a diskette that is not write-protected.

Writing to the wrong drive.

Check the drive letter in the path statement.

Not enough space is left on the diskette.

Save the information to another diskette.

Drive error has occurred.

Run Computer Checkup from the Compaq Diagnostics diskette.

Diskette is not formatted.

Format the diskette:
If you are using Windows 98:
1. From the Windows desktop, select My Computer.
2. Select 3.5-in Floppy (A).
3. Select File, then Format.
4. Fill in the appropriate information, then select Start.

Drive is disabled. Enable the proper drive through Device Manager.
Disable diskette write ability is turned on. Run Computer Setup. Select the Storage icon. Make sure Disable diskette write ability is not checked.

Diskette drive cannot read a diskette.

 

 

 

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 diskette.

Drive error has occurred.

Run Computer Checkup from the Compaq Diagnostics diskette.

Diskette is not formatted.

Format the diskette:
If you are using Windows 98:
1. From the Windows desktop, select My Computer.
2. Select 3.5-in Floppy (A).
3. Select File, then Format.
4. Fill in the appropriate information, then select Start.

System cannot start up from diskette or SuperDisk LS-120 drive.

 

A bootable diskette is not in the drive.

Verify that a diskette with the necessary system files is in the drive.

Diskette bootability is disabled in Computer Setup.

Enable diskette bootability in Computer Setup, Security menu.

 

 

 

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