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Maintenance & Service Guide
Presario 7900 Series Personal Computers
Models: 7922, 7930, 7935, 7940, 7947, 7950, 7970, 7973, 7985

MSG Index Product Description Troubleshooting Illustrated Parts
Home Removal & Replacement Jumpers & Switches Specifications

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Without Diagnostics

If you encounter some minor problem with the computer or software application, go through the following checklist for possible solutions before running any of the Diagnostic utilities:

  • Is the computer connected to a working power outlet?
  • Is the computer turned on and the power light illuminated?
  • Are all cables connected properly and seated?
  • Are all of the necessary device drivers installed?
  • Is the CONFIG.SYS file correct?
  • Is the AUTOEXEC.BAT file (MS-DOS) or DOSSTART.BAT file correct?
  • Was a non-bootable diskette loaded in the diskette drive at power-up?
  • Are all CMOS settings correct?

Click on a selection below to identify some quick checks for common problems.

Power Monitor CD Drive USB
Diskette Drive Hard Drive DVD Drive Resolving Hardware conflicts

 

Solving Minor Problems

Problem Possible Solution
Computer will not turn on Ensure that the computer is connected to a working power source.
Computer date and time display is incorrect The real-time clock (RTC) battery may need to be replaced. See Removal and Replacement Procedures.
Computer powered off automatically 1. The unit may be in Sleep. If the amber light on the front bezel is on, then the unit is in Sleep.

2. The unit temperature may have been exceeded. Check the fan for function and blockage.

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Solving Diskette Drive Problems

Problem Possible Solution
Diskette drive light stays on 1. Diskette may be damaged. In Windows 95 or 98, run ScanDisk. Click Start => Programs=>Accessories=> System Tools=>Scandisk to check for problems.

2. Diskette is incorrectly inserted. Remove the diskette and reinsert.

3. Software program may be damaged. Check the program diskettes.

4. Drive cable is not properly connected. Reconnect the drive cable.

Diskette drive cannot write to a diskette 1. Diskette is not formatted. Format the diskette.

2. Diskette is write-protected. Use another diskette that is not write-protected, or disable the write protection on the diskette.

3. Writing to the wrong drive. Check the drive letter in your path statement.

4. Not enough space is left on the diskette. Use another diskette.

Diskette drive cannot read a diskette 1. Diskette is not formatted. Format the diskette.

2. Using the wrong diskette type for the drive type. Use a diskette that is compatible with the drive.

3. Reading the wrong drive. Check the drive letter in your path statement.

4. Diskette drive has been disabled by Setup. Run Setup and enable the diskette drive.

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Solving Monitor Problems

Problem Possible Solution
Dim characters 1. The brightness and contrast controls are not set properly. Adjust the brightness and contrast controls.

2. Cables are not properly connected. Check that the video cable is securely connected to the video card and the monitor.

3. The RGB switch on the back of the monitor is incorrectly set. Set the RGB switch (and sync options, if this option is available) to 75 ohms, with the sync set to "external." Refer to the documentation included with the monitor.

Blank screen 1. Monitor is not turned on and the monitor light is not on. Turn on the monitor and check that the monitor light is on.

2. An energy saver feature has been enabled. Press any key or click the mouse button, and if it is set, type your password.

3. The brightness needs adjusting. Adjust the brightness control.

4. System is in Sleep mode. Press the Sleep button to wake up.

5. The cable connections are not correct. Check the cable connection from the monitor to the computer and to the electrical outlet.

Garbled characters on the screen
are mixed with text
Check the monitor connection. Ensure that the monitor is capable of supporting the resolution that the computer is using. If using the DOS environment, you may need the ANSI.SYS driver. Add the ANSI.SYS driver to the CONFIG.SYS file by inserting 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 airflow.
Cursor will not move using the
arrow keys on the 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.
Video colors are wrong The cable or monitor impedance is incorrect.

1. If you are using BNC cables, be sure that the Red, Green and Blue BNC cables are connected to the corresponding monitor connectors.

2. Be sure RGB inputs on the monitor are set to 75 ohms.

Blurry display or requested resolution cannot be set If the graphics controller was upgraded, the correct display drivers may not be loaded. Install the display drivers on the diskette included in the upgrade kit.
The picture is broken up, or it rolls, jitters, or blinks The monitor connections may be incomplete or the monitor may be incorrectly adjusted.

1. Be sure the monitor cable is securely connected to the computer.

2. If another monitor is in close proximity, move them apart to be sure the electromagnetic field in each monitor is not interfering with the other.

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Solving Hard Drive Problems

Problem Possible Solution
Hard drive error occurs Hard disk has bad sectors or has failed. Replace hard drive.
Disk transaction problem The directory structure is bad or there is a problem with a file.

From the Windows desktop, click on the Start button. Choose Programs=>Accessories => System Tools=>Scandisk to check for problems.

If problems exist, run Scandisk and click on the "Automatically fix errors" checkbox at the bottom to correct the problems.

If a large number of lost allocation units is found, click on the Start button. Choose Programs=> Accessories=>System Tools=>Disk Defragmenter.

Drive not found Cable could be loose. Check cable connections.
Nonsystem disk message 1. The system is trying to start from a diskette that is not bootable. Remove the diskette from the diskette drive.

2. 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.

3. Diskette boot has been disabled in Setup. Run Setup and enable diskette boot.

Hard drive operation seems slow The hard disk files may be fragmented.

From the Windows desktop, click on the Start button. Choose Programs =>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 button. Choose Programs => Accessories=>System Tools=> Disk Defragmenter.

Hard drive activity light is not on,
or stays on without blinking
The hard disk files may be fragmented.

From the Windows desktop, click on the Start button. Choose Programs=> 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 button. Choose Programs=> Accessories => System Tools=>Disk Defragmenter.

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Solving CD Drive Problems

Problem Possible Solution
Cannot read compact disc 1. CD is not properly seated in the drive. Eject the CD, press down on the CD firmly to correctly seat it in the drive, then reload.

2. CD has been loaded upside down. Eject the CD, turn it over, then reload.

3. CD may be dirty or scratched. Load another CD.

Cannot eject CD CD is not properly seated in the drive. Turn off the computer, insert a thin metal rod, such as a paper clip, into the emergency eject hole, then push firmly. Slowly pull the tray out from the drive until the tray is fully extended, then remove the CD.
CD drive devices are not detected or driver is not loaded 1. CD drive is not connected properly or not properly terminated. Open the computer and check to see that the drive cable is connected properly.

2. Ensure that the correct driver is installed in CONFIG.SYS.

3. If drive has been changed, make sure the jumper setting is set for cable select.

CD does not work in the DOS mode Proper drivers are not loaded. Restart the system and make sure the CD drive drivers are loaded.

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Solving DVD Drive Problems

Problem Possible Solution
Cannot read DVD disk 1. DVD or CD is not properly seated in the drive. Eject the DVD or CD, press down on the DVD or CD firmly to correctly seat it in the drive, then reload.

2. DVD or CD disk may be dirty or scratched. Load another DVD disk.

DVD movie does not work in the DOS mode. DVD will only operate as a CD drive. Make sure that proper drivers are loaded. Restart the system and make sure the Optical drive driver is loaded to enable the DVD drive to operate as a CD drive.
Cannot eject DVD disk 1. The DVD, diskette, or hard drive was active when attempting to eject the DVD. Wait until all drive activity ends (the CD/hard drive light and diskette drive light will go out), then try to eject the DVD. Close the application that is using the CD/DVD, then press eject.

2. The system is in the Sleep mode. Press the Power button to bring the system back to full power, then eject the DVD. NOTE: The system will not go into Sleep mode while playing a DVD movie.

3. DVD disk is not properly seated in the drive. Turn off the computer, insert a thin metal rod, such as a paper clip, into the emergency eject hole, then push firmly. Slowly pull the tray out from the drive until the tray is fully extended, then remove the DVD disk.

DVD drive devices are not detected; driver is not loaded 1. DVD drive is not connected properly. Open the computer and check to see that the drive cable is connected properly.

2. Ensure that the correct driver is installed in CONFIG.SYS.

3. If drive has been changed, make sure the jumper setting is set for cable select.

Proper drivers are not loaded. Restart the system and make sure the DVD drive drivers are loaded.
DVD drive slow to start autorun CDs. A DVD drive needs to identify the media descriptor file from the CD/DVD and may take some time.
DVD will not start to play like a CD DVDs are not autoplay like a CD. Go to the Desktop and click on the DVD player icon.
DVD movie does not fill the screen Generally, DVD media are dual-sided. One side contains the full screen format, and the other has the wide screen format. Eject the DVD movie and place the appropriate format facing up.

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Solving for USB Problems

Problem Possible Solution
USB device does not work with the system. The USB device and the system should interoperate. Ensure that the correct driver is installed. Check product documentation or the vendor's Web site for updated drivers.

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