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. |