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Maintenance and Service Guide Compaq Presario 4900, 5000, & 5100 Series Computers
Home | Product Description | Troubleshooting | Illustrated Parts Catalog
Removal & Replacement | Jumper & Switch Information | Specifications
Clearing CMOS
Power-On Self Test (POST)
Configuration
Diagnostic error codes
Troubleshooting without diagnostics
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| TROUBLESHOOTING Troubleshooting Without Diagnostics (continued)
Hard drive
Problem | Probable cause(s) | Possible solution
Hard drive error occurs. | Hard disk has bad sectors or has failed. | Run Computer Checkup (TEST) and Computer Setup. Reformat the hard disk.
Drive not found. | Cable could be loose. | Check cable connections.
Disk transaction problem. | Either the directory structure is bad or there is a problem with a file. | From the desktop click on the Start menu. Choose Program 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 menu. Choose Program Accessories System Tools Disk Defragmenter.
Nonsystem disk message. | The system is trying to start from a diskette that is not bootable. | Remove the diskette from the diskette drive.
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.
Diskette boot has been disabled in Computer Setup. | Run Computer Setup and enable diskette boot.
Hard drive operation seems slow OR Hard drive activity light is not on, or stays on without blinking. | The hard disk files may be fragmented. | From the desktop click on the Start menu. Choose Program 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 menu. Choose Program Accessories System Tools Disk Defragmenter.
Hardware installation
Problem | Probable cause(s) | Possible solutions
A new device is not recognized as part of the computer system. | When the system advised you of changes to the configuration, you did not save the changes. | Reboot the computer and follow the instructions for saving the changes.
The system may not have automatically recognized the new device. | Run Computer Setup and identify the new device.
The cables for the new external device are loose, or the power cables are unplugged. | Check all cables.
The power switch for the new external device is not turned on. | Turn off the computer, turn on the external device, and then turn on the computer to integrate the new device with the computer.
Power
Problem | Possible Solution
Computer will not turn on. | Ensure that the computer is connected to a power source.
Computer does not automatically display the date and time. | The real-time clock (RTC) battery may need to be replaced. Click here for replacement procedures.
Computer does not beep during POST. | The speaker volume may have been turned down. Select the Volume option from the Control Panel and adjust the volume.
Computer powered off automatically. | The unit temperature may have been exceeded. Check the fan for function and blockage.
USB
Problem | Probable cause(s) | 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).
Diskette Drive
Problem | Probable cause(s) | Possible solution
Diskette drive light stays on. | Diskette may be damaged. | From the desktop click on the Start menu. Choose Program Accessories System Tools Scandisk to check for problems.
Diskette may be installed incorrectly. | Remove the diskette and reinsert.
Software program may be damaged. | Check the program diskettes.
Diskette drive cannot write to a diskette. | Diskette is not formatted. | Format the diskette.
Diskette is write-protected. | Either use another diskette that is not write-protected or disable the write protection on the diskette.
Writing to the wrong drive. | Check the drive letter in your path statement.
Not enough space is left on the diskette. | Use another diskette to write the information.
Diskette drive cannot read a diskette. | Diskette is not formatted. | Format the diskette.
Using the wrong diskette type for the drive type. | Use a diskette that is compatible with the drive.
Reading the wrong drive. | Check the drive letter in your path statement.
Diskette drive has been disabled by Computer Setup. | Run Computer Setup and enable the diskette drive.
VGA Monitor
Problem | Probable cause(s) | Possible solution
Characters are dim. | The brightness control is not set properly. | Adjust the brightness control.
Screen is blank. | A screen-blanking utility could be installed. | Press any key. If the display reappears, you have a screen-blanking utility installed.
The brightness needs adjusting. | Adjust the brightness control.
Screen save has been initiated. | Press any key or move the mouse to light the screen.
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 adding the following line: DEVICE = C:\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 air flow.
Cursor will not move using the arrow keys on the numeric keypad. | 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.
There is a possible application error. | Restart the computer.
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