Maintenance and Service Guide
Compaq Presario 7400 Series Computers
MSG index Product Description Troubleshooting
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Clearing CMOS
Power-On Self Test
(POST)
Configuration
Diagnostic error
codes
Troubleshooting
without diagnostics
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 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 writeprotected.
Either use another
diskette that is not writeprotected 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.
SuperDisk Drive
Problem Probable cause(s) Possible solution
SuperDisk
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.
SuperDisk
drive
cannot
write to a
diskette.
Diskette is not
formatted.
Format the diskette.
Diskette is writeprotected.
Either use another
diskette that is not writeprotected 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.
SuperDisk
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.