b
Startup Guide
Compaq Notebook Series
Document Part Number: 370700-001
June 2004
This guide explains how to set up your notebook and begin
using it. It also provides battery pack, power management, and
troubleshooting information.
© Copyright 2004 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Microsoft and Windows are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation. Adobe and Acrobat are trademarks of Adobe Systems
Incorporated.
The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The
only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express
warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing
herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall
not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.
Startup Guide
Compaq Notebook Series
First Edition June 2004
Reference Number: 2200
Document Part Number: 370700 -001
Contents
1 Getting Started with Your Notebook
Important Safety Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–1
Identifying Parts of the Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–2
Front Panel and Right Panel Components. . . . . . . . . 1–3
Left Panel and Back Panel Components . . . . . . . . . . 1–4
Bottom Panel Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–5
Status Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–6
Setting Up Your Notebook. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–8
Step 1: Insert the Battery Pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–8
Step 2: Connect AC Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–9
Step 3: Connect a Phone Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–10
Step 4: Turn On the Notebook. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–11
Step 5: Set Up Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–12
Using the Documentation CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–12
2Basic Operation
Operating Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–1
Default Power Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–2
To Reset the Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–3
To Change the Boot Device. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–3
To Use the TouchPad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–4
To Use the Tap to Click Function of the
TouchPad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–5
To Use the Function Hot Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–6
Startup Guide iii
Contents
Using CDs or DVDs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–7
To Play DVD Movies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–7
To Write to DVD Media (Select Models Only) . . . . 2–7
To Connect a TV to Your Notebook
(Select Models Only). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–8
3 Battery Packs and Power Management
Using Battery Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–1
To Respond to a Low-Battery Warning . . . . . . . . . . 3–3
To Recharge the Battery Pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–3
To Get the Most from Your Battery Packs . . . . . . . . 3–4
Disposing of a Used Battery Pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–6
4Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–1
Display Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–2
Hard Drive Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–3
Performance Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–4
Power and Battery Pack Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–5
Startup Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–6
Configuring Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–7
To Run the BIOS Setup Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–7
Updating Software and Drivers from the Web . . . . . . . . 4–9
Using System Recovery Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–9
Safeguarding Your Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–10
Operating System (OS) CD Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–11
OS CD Reinstall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–12
Reinstalling Drivers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–13
Restoring Software Applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–13
Index
iv Startup Guide
Getting Started with
Your Notebook
Important Safety Information
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. For more information, refer to the Reference Guide
on the Documentation CD provided with your product.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of electric shock or damage to your
equipment:
Å
■ Plug the power cord into an electrical outlet that is easily accessible
at all times.
■ Disconnect power from the product by unplugging the power cord
from the electrical outlet.
■ If provided with a three-pin attachment plug on your power cable,
plug the cable into a grounded (earthed) three-pin outlet. Do not
disable the power cord grounding pin. The grounding pin is an
important safety feature.
1
WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious injury, read the Safety &
Comfort Guide. It describes proper workstation setup, posture, and
Å
health and work habits for computer users, and provides important
electrical and mechanical safety information. This guide is located on
the Web at
on the Documentation CD that is included with the product.
Startup Guide 1–1
http://www.compaq.com/ergo and on the hard drive or
Getting Started with Your Notebook
CAUTION: To reduce the risk of fire, use only No. 26 AWG or larger
Ä
telecommunications line cord to connect a modem to the telephone wall
jack. In Australia, the notebook must be connected to the
Telecommunication Network through a line cord that meets the
requirements of ACA Technical Standard TS008.
When using your notebook with a telephone connection, always
follow basic safety precautions to reduce the risk of fire, electrical
shock, and injury to persons.
■ Do not use this product with a telephone connection near
water (for example, near a bathtub, sink, or swimming pool,
or in a wet basement).
■ Avoid using a telephone connection (other than a cordless
type) during an electrical storm. There may be a remote risk
of electrical shock from lightning.
■ Do not use a telephone connection to report a gas leak in the
vicinity of the leak.
■ Use only the power cord and battery packs indicated in this
guide. Do not dispose of battery packs in a fire. They may
explode. Check with local codes for possible special disposal
instructions.
■ Disconnect the modem cable before opening the notebook
case or touching an uninsulated modem cable, jack, or
internal component.
■ Do not plug a modem cable or telephone cable into the
network (LAN) receptacle.
Identifying Parts of the Notebook
Components included with the notebook may vary by
geographical region and the features you selected. The following
tables identify the standard external components included with
most notebook models.
1–2 Startup Guide
Getting Started with Your Notebook
Front Panel and Right Panel Components
Main status lights (left to right):
1
power mode, hard drive activity,
and battery
TouchPad, scroll pad, Click
2
buttons, and an on-off button
Power button: turns the notebook
3
on and off
Keyboard status lights
4
One-Touch buttons
5
Startup Guide 1–3
Notebook open/close latch
6
CD-ROM, DVD, or other drive
7
Battery pack
8
Wireless on-off button and
9
indicator light (select
models only)
Hard drive
-
Getting Started with Your Notebook
Left Panel and Back Panel Components
AC adapter jack
1
Universal serial bus (USB) ports
2
RJ-45 jack: connects a network
3
cable
S-Video out jack
4
(select models only)
External monitor port
5
Cable lock slot (security
6
connector)
1–4 Startup Guide
RJ-11 jack: connects the modem
7
cable
PC Card and CardBus slot and
8
button (select models only;
location varies by model)
IEEE 1394 port
9
(select models only)
Audio jacks (left to right): external
-
microphone, audio out
(headphones)
Volume control
q
Audio mute button and audio
w
mute light
Getting Started with Your Notebook
Bottom Panel Components
Hard drive
1
Battery latch
2
RAM (memory) cover
3
CAUTION: To prevent an unresponsive system and the display of a
Ä
warning message, install only a Mini PCI device authorized for use in
your notebook by the governmental agency that regulates wireless
devicesgin your country. If you install a device and then receive a warning
message, remove the device to restore notebook functionality. Then contact
Customer Care.
Startup Guide 1–5
Reset button
4
Mini PCI cover (no user parts
5
inside)
Getting Started with Your Notebook
Status Lights
The notebook includes a number of status lights that report power
and battery status, drive activity, and keyboard functions such as
Caps Lock and Num Lock.
The following diagram shows the main status lights on the front
of the notebook.
Power mode
1
■ On: Notebook is on (even if the display is off).
■ Blinking: Notebook is in Standby.
■ Off: Notebook is off or in Hibernation.
Hard drive activity
2
On: Notebook is accessing the hard drive.
Battery status
3
■ Green: AC adapter is connected and the battery pack is fully
charged.
■ Amber: AC adapter is connected and the battery pack is
charging.
■ Blinking: AC adapter is connected and the battery pack is
missing or has a fault.
■ Off: AC adapter is not connected.
1–6 Startup Guide
Getting Started with Your Notebook
The keyboard status lights, located above the keyboard, indicate
the states of the keyboard locks.
Caps Lock On: Caps Lock is active.
1
Num Lock On: Num Lock is active. (The Keypad Lock must also be
2
on to use the embedded keypad.)
Keypad Lock On: The embedded keypad is active (Fn+F8). Num
3
Lock must also be on to activate the numeric keys. Otherwise, cursor
control is active (as marked on an external keyboard).
Startup Guide 1–7
Getting Started with Your Notebook
Setting Up Your Notebook
WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious injury, read the Safety &
Comfort Guide. It describes proper workstation setup, posture, and
Å
health and work habits for computer users, and provides important
electrical and mechanical safety information. This guide is located on
the Web at
on the Documentation CD that is included with the product.
When you set up your notebook for the first time, you will
connect the AC adapter, charge the battery pack, turn on the
notebook, and run the Microsoft® Windows® Setup program.
Step 1: Insert the Battery Pack
WARNING: Do not mutilate or puncture battery packs. Do not dispose
of battery packs in fire, or they can burst or explode, releasing
Å
hazardous chemicals. Rechargeable battery packs must be recycled or
disposed of properly.
To install the battery pack:
1. Turn the notebook upside down.
2. Insert the connector end of the battery pack into the battery
http://www.compaq.com/ergo and on the hard drive or
pack compartment, then slide the battery pack in until it
latches.
1–8 Startup Guide
Getting Started with Your Notebook
Step 2: Connect AC Power
CAUTION: Use only the AC adapter included with your notebook
Ä
(or other approved adapter that meets the power requirements of the
notebook). Using the wrong AC adapter could damage the notebook
or adapter, cause data loss, and may void your warranty.
1. Plug the AC adapter into the notebook.
2. Connect the power cord to the AC adapter.
3. Plug the power cord into a wall outlet. The notebook battery
starts charging.
When unplugging the power cord, unplug it from the outlet
✎
before unplugging it from the AC adapter.
While the battery pack is charging, you can continue with the
section “Step 3: Connect a Phone Line.”
Startup Guide 1–9
Getting Started with Your Notebook
Step 3: Connect a Phone Line
1. Make sure the telephone line is an analog line, sometimes
called a data line. (Do not use a digital line.)
2. Connect the telephone cord (RJ-11) into a telephone jack.
3. Plug the other end of the telephone cord into the RJ-11
modem jack on the notebook.
For details about using the modem, including AT commands, see
the Documentation CD included with your notebook.
1–10 Startup Guide
Getting Started with Your Notebook
Step 4: Turn On the Notebook
Press the power button above the left side of the keyboard. The
notebook boots up, and Windows starts automatically.
If your notebook does not turn on when operating on
✎
battery power, the battery pack may be out of power. Plug
in the AC adapter, then press the power button again. Leave
the AC adapter plugged in for several hours to fully charge the
battery pack. Charge times will vary.
WARNING: This notebook is designed to run demanding applications
at full power. As a result of increased power consumption, it is normal
Å
for the notebook to feel warm or hot when used continuously. To avoid
potential discomfort or burns, do not block the air vents or use the
notebook on your lap for extended periods. The notebook complies with
the user-accessible surface temperature limits defined by the
International Standard for Safety of Information Technology Equipment
(IEC 60950).
Startup Guide 1–11
Getting Started with Your Notebook
Step 5: Set Up Windows
Your notebook has the Microsoft Windows operating system
preinstalled on its hard drive. The first time you turn on your
notebook, the Windows Setup program runs automatically and
includes opportunities to customize your setup.
1. Follow the Setup program instructions on the screen. If the
program prompts you to enter the Product ID code, locate the
code on the bottom of the notebook.
2. Check the modem country or region settings. Select Start >
Control Panel > Printers and Other Hardware > Phone and
Modem Options, then select your country/region.
Using the Documentation CD
Information about using the notebook can be found on the
Documentation CD included with the notebook. To view a guide:
1. Insert the Documentation CD into a CD or DVD drive. If
autorun is enabled, the reference library menu is displayed on
the screen (this may take a few seconds).
2. Select the guide you want to read from the reference
library menu.
3. If prompted, accept the Adobe® Acrobat® Reader license
agreement or install Acrobat Reader by following the
instructions on the screen.
1–12 Startup Guide
Basic Operation
Operating Your Notebook
You can start and stop your notebook by using the power button.
However, alternative methods may be required, depending on
power considerations, types of active connections, and startup
time. This chapter describes several of these methods.
2
Startup Guide 2–1
Basic Operation
Default Power Settings
Power mode To enter this mode Function
ON—Power status
light is on.
OFF—Power status
light is off.
Standby—Power
status light blinks.
Hibernation—Power
status light is off.
Briefly press the power
button.
Select Start > Turn Off
Computer > Turn Off. If the
system has stopped
responding and Windows
shutdown procedures cannot
be used, press and hold the
power button for 4 seconds to
turn off the notebook.
Select Start > Turn Off
Computer > Standby.
-orAllow the system to time out.
If the notebook is already on,
briefly press the power
button.
-orPress Fn+F12.
-orAllow the system to time out.
Powers on the notebook.
Powers off the notebook.
■ Saves significant
power.
■ Turns off the display
and other
components.
■ Maintains current
session in RAM.
■ Restarts quickly.
■ Restores network
connections.
■ Saves maximum
power.
■ Saves current
session to disk, then
shuts down.
■ Restores network
connections.
You can also customize how these power modes work. See the
“Battery Packs and Power Management” chapter in the Reference
Guide on the Documentation CD included with your notebook.
2–2 Startup Guide
To Reset the Notebook
Occasionally, Windows or the notebook may stop responding and
you will not be able to turn off the notebook. If this happens, try
the following procedures in the order listed:
■ If possible, shut down Windows. Press ctrl+alt+del, then select
Shut Down > Restart.
-or-
■ Press the power button for at least 4 seconds until the display
shuts down. Unsaved data will be lost. Press the power button
again to restart.
-or-
■ Insert the tip of a paper clip into the reset button on the
bottom of the notebook, then press the power button to
restart.
To Change the Boot Device
The notebook normally boots from its internal hard drive. You
can also boot the notebook from a diskette drive, a CD-ROM
drive, or an internal network interface card.
1. Select Start > Turn Off Computer > Restart.
2. When the logo screen appears, press
Boot menu.
3. Use the arrow keys to select the boot device, then press
If you want to boot from a specific device whenever it is present,
change the boot order using the BIOS Setup utility. See
“Configuring Your Notebook” in the “Troubleshooting” chapter
in this guide.
Basic Operation
esc to display the
enter.
Startup Guide 2–3
Basic Operation
To Use the TouchPad
The TouchPad includes an on-off button so you can turn off the
TouchPad to avoid moving the pointer accidentally when you are
typing. The indicator light turns off when you turn off the
TouchPad.
1 Click buttons. The Click buttons work like the left and right buttons on
a standard mouse.
2 TouchP ad (touch-sensitive pointing device).
3 TouchPad on-off button and indicator light.
4 Scroll pad. The scroll pad causes the contents of the active window
to scroll vertically.
2–4 Startup Guide
Basic Operation
To Use the Tap to Click Function of the TouchPad
The Tap to Click function of your TouchPad is enabled by default.
To disable it, follow the instructions included here:
1. Select Start > Control Panel > Printers and Other Hardware >
Mouse. The Mouse Properties dialog box opens.
2. Select the Tapping tab.
3. In the left panel, clear the Tapping check box.
4. Select Apply > OK.
The Tap to Click function is now disabled.
Startup Guide 2–5
Basic Operation
To Use the Function Hot Keys
The combination of the Fn key plus another key creates a hot
key—a shortcut key sequence—for various system controls. To
use a hot key, press and hold
then release both keys.
This hot key Does this
Fn+F1 Decreases the display brightness.
Fn+F2 Increases the display brightness.
Fn+F5 Toggles the external monitor on and off.
Fn+F8 Toggles the built-in keypad on and off. Does
Fn+F12 Initiates Hibernation.
Fn, press the appropriate second key,
not affect an external keyboard. If Num Lock
is on, then the numeric functions are active;
otherwise, cursor control is active (as marked
on an external keyboard).
Fn+NumLock Toggles Scroll Lock on and off.
Fn+Page Up Increases the audio volume and cancels the
Fn+Page Down Decreases the audio volume.
Fn+Backspace Mutes/unmutes the audio output.
2–6 Startup Guide
mute setting.
Using CDs or DVDs
To Play DVD Movies
If your notebook is equipped with a DVD or other DVD-readable
drive, it also includes DVD player software that lets you play
DVD movies.
DVDs can have regional codes embedded in the disc data. These
✎
codes prevent DVD movies from being played outside the region
of the world in which they are sold. If you get a region code error,
you are trying to play a DVD intended for a different region.
Most DVD drives let you change the region code only a limited
number of times (usually no more than 4). When you reach this
limit, your last change to the region code will be hard-coded on
the DVD drive and will be permanent. Your warranty does not
cover the expense of correcting this situation. Refer to the Help
for your DVD player software for details about setting region
codes.
Basic Operation
To Write to DVD Media (Select Models Only)
If your notebook is equipped with a DVD+RW/R and CD-RW
Combo Drive, you must install your DVD burning software from
the CDs included with your notebook before you can write to
DVD media.
When writing to DVD+R or DVD+RW media, observe the
following guidelines:
■ Place the notebook on a flat, stable surface.
■ Ensure that the AC adapter is connected to the notebook and
an AC electrical outlet.
■ Close and exit all other software applications, except the CD
burning software (when writing a data disc) or DVD burning
software (when writing a video disc).
Startup Guide 2–7
Basic Operation
To Connect a TV to Your Notebook (Select Models Only)
You can use a TV as an external monitor for your notebook. To
connect a TV to your notebook:
1. Plug a standard 4-pin S-Video cable to the S-Video out jack
on your notebook (yellow connector on the back panel). Plug
the other end of the cable to the S-Video in jack on your
television.
Although your notebook has a 7-pin S-Video out jack, the
✎
notebook accepts either a 7-pin or 4-pin cable connection.
2. Select Start > Control Panel > Appearance and Themes >
Display. Then, select Settings tab > Advanced button >
Display tab.
3. To enable the TV, select the red button next to TV.
If the S-Video cable is not plugged into your notebook and TV,
✎
the red button will not be displayed.
4. Select Apply to accept the changes.
5. If you are prompted to restart Windows, select Yes.
2–8 Startup Guide
Battery Packs and Power
Using Battery Power
For information about how your notebook regulates power
consumption and how you can manually reduce power
consumption and extend the life of the notebook battery, see
the “Battery Packs and Power Management” chapter in the
Reference Guide on the Documentation CD included with your
notebook.
3
Management
Startup Guide 3–1
Battery Packs and Power Management
To Check Battery Status
From the battery status light
» Check the battery status light on the notebook.
From the Windows taskbar
The Windows taskbar can display a power icon that provides
detailed battery status information (see Windows Help for
details). The icon resembles a battery when a battery pack is
the notebook’s sole source of power.
■ Place the pointer over the power icon to display the
remaining battery charge. This value is shown as either a
percentage of charge remaining or as time remaining.
■ Select the power icon to open the Battery Meter window.
From the Windows Control Panel
» Select Start > Control Panel > Performance and
Maintenance > Power Options, then select the Power Meter
tab to see the battery status. The Alarms and Advanced tabs
provide additional power information options.
On the battery pack
1. Remove the battery pack from the notebook. See the “Getting
Started with Your Notebook” chapter in this guide.
2. Press the contact pad on the side of the battery pack.
3–2 Startup Guide
Battery Packs and Power Management
To Respond to a Low-Battery Warning
The notebook automatically alerts you when the battery power
drops to a critically low level. The notebook first emits a
high-pitched beep or displays a warning message. Then, if you
do not restore power within a short time, the notebook goes into
Hibernation.
After the notebook enters Hibernation in this way, you will not be
able to turn it on again until you restore power by using one of the
following procedures:
■ Replace the battery pack with a charged one.
■ Plug in the AC adapter.
If you plug in the AC adapter, you can continue to work while
✎
your battery pack recharges.
To Recharge the Battery Pack
CAUTION: The AC adapter is normally warm when plugged into an
Ä
AC outlet. The notebook is normally warm while recharging. Do not
recharge the notebook in a briefcase or other confined space, or the
battery pack could overheat.
» Plug the AC adapter into the notebook.
Charging can take several hours. If you continue working while
the battery pack charges, the charging time may increase.
The operating time for a fully charged battery pack depends on
the notebook model, power management settings, and level
of use.
Startup Guide 3–3
Battery Packs and Power Management
To Get the Most from Your Battery Packs
Follow these suggestions to make your battery power last as long
as possible:
■ Plug in the AC adapter, especially when using a CD-ROM or
DVD drive, or any external connections such as a PC Card
or a modem.
■ Set the display brightness to the lowest comfortable level
Fn+F1).
(
■ Put the notebook in Standby when you will not be using it for
a short while.
■ Put the notebook in Hibernation whenever you want to save
your current session but will not be using the notebook for
a day or more.
■ Set the automatic timeout settings to emphasize saving
power. If your notebook has a multispeed processor, use the
lower speed on battery power (the default settings conserve
battery power).
■ If your notebook has a wireless on-off button, turn off
the wireless function when you are not using it. Press the
wireless on-off button to turn off the light.
■ If you have a PC Card, such as a network card, remove it
when you are not using it. Some PC Cards use significant
power even while they are inactive.
■ If you work with an application that uses the serial port or a
PC Card, exit the application when you finish using it.
3–4 Startup Guide
Battery Packs and Power Management
In addition, follow these suggestions to extend the life of your
battery packs:
■ Do not leave battery packs unused for long periods. If you
have more than one, rotate them.
■ Unplug the AC adapter when the notebook is not in use.
■ If the notebook will be unused and unplugged for more than
2 weeks, remove and store the battery pack.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the battery pack, do not expose it to
Ä
high temperatures for extended periods of time.
■ High temperatures accelerate the self-discharge rate of a
stored battery pack. To prolong the charge of a stored battery
pack, place it in a cool, dry location.
■ To maintain the accuracy of battery charge displays, calibrate
a battery pack that has been stored for one month or more
before using it.
■ Avoid using or charging battery packs at high temperatures.
Startup Guide 3–5
Battery Packs and Power Management
Disposing of a Used Battery Pack
WARNING: There is a risk of fire and chemical burn if a battery pack
is handled improperly. Do not disassemble, crush, or puncture a
Å
battery pack or short the contacts on a battery pack. Do not expose a
battery pack to temperatures higher than 60°C (140°F) or dispose of
a battery pack in water or fire.
When a battery pack has reached the end of its useful life, do not
dispose of it in general household waste.
■ In Europe, dispose of or recycle battery packs by using the
public collection system or by returning them to your service
partner.
■ In other regions, refer to the Worldwide Telephone Numbers
booklet, included with the notebook, to contact your service
partner and request information about battery pack disposal.
For more information about battery pack precautions and disposal
and the complete text of governmental agency notices, refer to the
Regulatory and Safety Notices guide on the Documentation CD.
3–6 Startup Guide
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting Your Notebook
This chapter contains solutions to many types of problems you
might have with your notebook. Try the solutions one at a time, in
the order in which they are presented.
Here are some other sources of information for troubleshooting:
■ For a more complete list of troubleshooting suggestions, see
the “Troubleshooting” chapter in the Reference Guide on the
Documentation CD included with your notebook.
■ Use the Windows troubleshooters. Select Start > Help and
Support.
■ Select the question mark One-Touch key located at the top of
the keyboard.
■ See the Microsoft Windows manual shipped with the
notebook.
■ Refer to the Worldwide Telephone Numbers booklet to
contact customer service for help and support.
4
Startup Guide 4–1
Troubleshooting
Display Problems
If the Notebook Is On, But the Screen Is Blank
■ Move the mouse or tap the TouchPad. This will wake the
display if it is in Display-off mode.
■ If the notebook is cold, allow it to warm up.
If the Screen Is Difficult to Read
■ Set the display resolution to its default setting of 1024 × 768
or higher, depending on your model, by selecting Start >
Control Panel > Appearance and Themes > Display.
■ Adjust the size of the desktop icons and labels.
■ Adjust the brightness of the screen.
If an External Display Does Not Work
■ Check the connections.
■ The external monitor may not be detected. In the BIOS Setup
utility, try setting Video Display Device to Both in the System
Devices menu.
■ If you are using a TV connected to the optional S-Video port,
you must activate the TV.
■ Install the driver or .inf file for your specific monitor
❏ Select the external monitor as the primary display device
in the display properties
❏ Continue to toggle Fn+F5 until the external display is
enabled.
4–2 Startup Guide
Hard Drive Problems
If the Notebook Hard Drive Does Not Spin
■ Make sure the notebook has power. If necessary, connect the
AC adapter, and make sure it is fully plugged into a power
source and into the back of the notebook.
■ Remove and reinsert the hard drive.
If Files Are Corrupted
■ Open My Computer, and the disk you want to scan. Select
File > Properties. Select the Check Now box under the
Error-checking section of the Tools tab.
■ Run the virus-scanning program.
■ If necessary, you can format the hard disk and reinstall the
original factory software using the system recovery features
described in the “Troubleshooting” chapter of the Reference
Guide.
Keyboard and Pointing Device Problems
Troubleshooting
Use these suggestions for built-in or external devices.
✎
If the Pointer Is Difficult to Control
■ Adjust the pointer controls by selecting Start > Control
Panel > Printers and Other Hardware > Mouse.
■ Ensure that your thumb or palm is not pressing or near the
TouchPad on-off button while typing.
■ Use an external mouse if using the TouchPad is difficult.
Startup Guide 4–3
Troubleshooting
If the TouchPad Does Not Work
■ Press the TouchPad on-off button to turn on the light.
■ Do not touch the TouchPad while the notebook is rebooting
or resuming from Standby mode. If you do, try the following:
press a key on the keyboard to restore normal operation.
■ If an external mouse is connected, the built-in pointing
devices are normally disabled. You can change this setting
with the BIOS Setup utility. See “Configuring Your
Notebook” in this chapter.
■ Restart the notebook by selecting Start > Turn Off
Computer > Restart.
Performance Problems
If the Notebook Stops Responding
■ Press ctrl+alt+del and use Task Manager to end the application
that is not responding.
■ Press the power button for at least 4 seconds to turn off and
reset the notebook. Unsaved data will be lost. Then press the
power button again to turn the notebook back on.
■ If nothing happens, insert the tip of a paper clip into the
reset button on the bottom of the notebook. Then press
the power button to turn the notebook back on.
■ To avoid lockup problems, avoid turning the notebook off or
putting it into Standby while graphic-intensive applications
are running.
4–4 Startup Guide
Troubleshooting
Power and Battery Pack Problems
If the Notebook Turns Off Immediately After It Turns On
Battery power is probably extremely low. Plug in the AC adapter
or insert a charged battery pack.
If the Notebook Keeps Beeping
The notebook beeps repeatedly or displays a warning when
battery power is low. Save your work, shut down Windows
immediately, and insert a charged battery pack or plug in the
AC adapter.
If the Battery Pack Does Not Charge
■ Make sure the AC adapter is fully plugged into the
power source and the notebook, and that the light on
the adapter is on.
■ If you are using a power strip, remove the AC adapter from
the power strip and plug it directly into a wall outlet.
■ Make sure the battery pack is fully installed and locked in
place.
■ Make sure you are using only the AC adapter included with
your notebook (or other approved adapter that meets the
power requirements of the notebook). Do not use a 60-watt,
3.16-amp adapter.
■ Move the notebook away from any nearby heat source.
Unplug the AC adapter and allow the battery pack to cool
down. If the battery pack gets too hot, it will not charge
properly.
■ If available, try another battery pack and AC adapter.
Startup Guide 4–5
Troubleshooting
Startup Problems
If the Notebook Does Not Respond When You Turn It On
■ Connect the AC adapter.
■ Reset the notebook by inserting the tip of a paper clip into
the reset button on the bottom of the notebook. Then press the
power button to turn it on.
■ If the notebook still does not respond, remove the battery
pack and AC adapter, remove any PC Cards, and undock the
notebook if docked. Then plug in the AC adapter again, and
reset the notebook using the reset button.
If the Notebook Will Not Boot from Battery Power
■ Make sure the battery pack is properly inserted and fully
charged. Check the battery charge by removing it and
pressing the pad on the side of the battery pack. The lights
show the charge level.
■ If available, try another battery pack.
4–6 Startup Guide
Configuring Your Notebook
The BIOS Setup utility helps you configure your notebook
operation.
To Run the BIOS Setup Utility
The BIOS (basic input and output system) Setup utility enables
you to make changes to the notebook system configuration and to
tailor the operation of your notebook to your individual work
needs.
The settings made in BIOS Setup generally control the notebook
hardware, and so greatly affect how the notebook operates.
1. Select Start > Turn Off Computer > Restart.
2. When the logo screen appears, press
3. The pointing devices are not active in BIOS Setup, so you
will need to use the keyboard to navigate:
❏ Press the left and right arrow keys to move among menus.
❏ Press the up and down arrow keys to move among
parameters in a menu.
❏ Press + or - to move through values for the current
parameter, or press
enter to change a setting.
4. After you select the options you want, press
Exit menu to exit BIOS Setup.
5. If the settings cause a conflict between devices during reboot,
the system prompts you to run BIOS Setup, and marks the
conflicting settings.
F2 to enter BIOS Setup.
Troubleshooting
F10 or use the
Startup Guide 4–7
Troubleshooting
The following tables describe BIOS settings for the BIOS version
at publication. If your BIOS is a different version, some settings
may differ from those shown.
Main Menu
Setting Description Default
BIOS Revision Shows the current BIOS
System Time Sets the time using 24-hour
System Date Sets the date using dd/mm/yy
Language Sets the language for BIOS
Internal
Hard Disk
UMA Video
Memory
Memory Shows the extended
Serial Number Displays the serial number as
Service ID Displays an identifier used for
UUID Displays the value of the
MAC Address Displays the MAC network
version.
format. Values set take effect
immediately.
format (except English, which
uses mm/dd/yy format).
Setup.
Sets the hard drive type and
various parameters.
Sets the video memory size
allocated from total installed
memory (RAM).
memory size.
shown on the back of the unit.
repair service.
16-byte UUID (Universally
Unique ID) as 32 hex
characters.
address of the internal
(wired) LAN.
Detected
automatically
Detected
automatically
Detected
automatically
Auto
Detected
automatically
Detected
automatically
Detected
automatically
Detected
automatically
Detected
automatically
4–8 Startup Guide
Troubleshooting
Updating Software and Drivers from the Web
Software and driver updates for your notebook are available for
download. For more information, visit the Web site at
http://www.compaq.com/consumersupport.
Using System Recovery Features
The notebook system recovery process provides several options
for recovering optimal system functionality. The Notebook
Recovery Solution consists of the following restore CDs:
■ Operating System CD
■ Driver Recovery CD
■ Application Recovery CDs
■ Third-party CDs for software included on select models
For detailed information, see the “Troubleshooting” chapter in
the Reference Guide.
Please refer to Microsoft operating system (OS) documentation
and Web site for specific information regarding:
■ Repairing missing or damaged OS files
■ Adding or removing Windows components
■ Creating System Restore Points
The Operating System CD may be required for these actions.
However, procedures will vary.
For best results, attempt to recover optimal notebook
✎
functionality by using the following procedures in the order
described here.
Startup Guide 4–9
Troubleshooting
Safeguarding Your Data
Software or devices added to the notebook can cause your system
to become unstable. To safeguard your documents, store personal
files in the My Documents folder and periodically create a
backup copy of My Documents. Setting System Restore points is
also recommended.
Your notebook sets System Restore points (benchmarks) daily as
you change your personal settings. The notebook may also set
restore points when you add new software or devices. You should
periodically set personal restore points when the notebook is
functioning at optimal performance and before installing new
software or devices. This enables you to return to a previous
configuration restore point if you encounter problems.
To set a system restore point:
1. Select Start > Help & Support. Select the task Use Tools to
view your computer information and diagnose problems.
Select System Restore. A System Restore window opens.
2. Follow the on-screen directions for setting a restore point.
To restore the notebook to a previous date and time when it was
functioning optimally:
1. Select Start > Help & Support > Tools > System Restore.
2. Follow the on-screen directions for restoring the notebook.
4–10 Startup Guide
Operating System (OS) CD Repair
To repair the operating system without deleting your personal
data, use the standard Microsoft OS CD that was shipped with the
notebook. This CD contains the following preinstalled operating
systems:
■ Microsoft Windows XP Home or Pro (depending on
configuration)
■ Appropriate service pack
To repair the operating system:
1. Connect the notebook to external power and turn on the
notebook.
2. Immediately insert the OS CD into the notebook.
3. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds to turn off the
notebook.
4. Press the power button again to start the notebook.
5. When prompted, press any key to boot from CD. After a few
minutes, the Welcome to Setup screen is displayed.
6. Press
7. Press
8. Press
enter to continue. A Licensing Agreement screen is
displayed.
F8 to accept the agreement and continue. The Setup
window opens.
R to repair the selected Windows installation. The repair
process begins. This process takes 1 to 2 hours to complete.
The notebook restarts in Windows after the process is
complete.
Troubleshooting
Startup Guide 4–11
Troubleshooting
OS CD Reinstall
If other recovery efforts do not successfully repair the notebook,
you can reinstall the operating system.
WARNING: Personal data and software you have installed on the
Å
notebook will be lost during the OS CD reinstall. To protect your data,
make a backup copy of My Documents before reinstalling your operating
system. Visit Help and Support to learn more about backing up your files.
To reinstall the operating system:
1. Connect the notebook to external power and turn on the
notebook.
2. Immediately insert the OS CD into the notebook.
3. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds to turn off the
notebook.
4. Press the power button again to start the notebook.
5. When prompted, press any key to boot from the CD. After a
few minutes, the Welcome to Setup screen opens.
6. Press
7. Press
8. Press
9. Press
10. Press
enter to continue. A Licensing Agreement screen is
displayed.
F8 to accept the agreement and continue. The Setup
window is displayed.
esc to continue installing a fresh copy of the operating
system without repairing.
enter to set up the operating system.
C to continue setup using this partition.
4–12 Startup Guide
11. Select Format the partition using the NTFS file system
(Quick) and press
this drive will delete all current files.
12. Press
When prompted for the product key, refer to the Microsoft
✎
Certificate of Authenticity located on the bottom of the notebook.
F to format the drive. The reinstallation process begins.
This process takes 1 to 2 hours to complete. The notebook
restarts in Windows after the process is complete.
Reinstalling Drivers
After the OS installation process is complete, you must reinstall
drivers. Use the Driver Recovery CD with the OS CD for
hardware driver and system utility refresh and for full system
software restoration.
To reinstall drivers:
1. While running Windows, insert the Driver Recovery CD into
the optical drive.
2. If you do not have Autorun enabled, select Start > Run. Then
type
D:\SWSETUP\APPINSTL\SETUP.EXE (where D indicates the
optical drive).
3. Select the desired driver(s) or system utility from the Driver
Recovery CD menu.
4. Select Next to complete the installation.
Troubleshooting
enter. A caution is displayed that formatting
Restoring Software Applications
After the drivers are reinstalled, you must reinstall any software
you added to the notebook. Use the Application Recovery and
third-party discs to reinstall or continue restoring software
applications. Follow the installation instructions provided with
the software discs included with the notebook.
Startup Guide 4–13
Index
1394 port location 1–4
A
AC adapter
connecting 1–9
jack location 1–4
Acrobat Reader 1–12
adjusting
brightness 2–6
volume 2–6
audio
adjusting volume 2–6
jack location 1–4
mute button 1–4
volume control location 1–4
B
back panel components 1–4
battery packs
checking battery status 1–6,
3–2
disposal and recycling 3–6
disposing of 3–6
extending life of 3–4
installing 1–8
location 1–3
low-battery warning 3–3
recharging 3–3
release latch 1–5
status lights 1–6
troubleshooting 4–5
battery power
check status 3–2
low-battery warning 3–3
recharging 3–3
battery status lights 3–2
BIOS Setup Utility
bottom panel components
brightness, adjusting
buttons
Click 1–3
One-Touch 1–3
on-off (on TouchPad) 1–3
power 1–3, 1–11
reset 1–5
wireless on-off 1–3
4–7
2–6
C
cable lock slot 1–4
changing the boot device
Click buttons
components
back panel 1–4
bottom panel 1–5
keyboard status lights 1–3
left panel 1–4
status lights 1–2
1–3
1–5
2–3
Startup Guide Index–1
Index
configuring
notebook 4–7
configuring the notebook 4–7
connecting
AC power 1–9
phone line 1–10
TV (as an external monitor)
2–8
connectors
audio 1–4
RJ-11 (modem) 1–4
RJ-45 (network) 1–4
security 1–4
S-Video out 1–4
D
decreasing display brightness 2–6
display
adjusting brightness 2–6
troubleshooting 4–2
Documentation Library CD 1–12
drivers
reinstalling 4–13
updating 4–9
DVD drive
creating data disc 2–7
creating movie disc 2–7
playing movies 2–7
setting region code 2–7
E
external monitor
connecting 2–8
port location 1–4
H
hard drive
activity status light 1–6
location 1–3, 1–5
troubleshooting 4–3
Hibernation mode 2–2
hot keys
2–6
I
identifying components 1–2
increasing display brightness
inserting the battery pack
1–8
K
keyboard
status lights 1–3, 1–7
troubleshooting 4–3
keys 2–6
L
left panel components 1–4
low-battery warning
3–3
M
Mini PCI cover 1–5
N
network jack, location 1–4
O
One-Touch buttons 1–3
on-off button
open/close latch
Operating System CD
reinstall 4–12
repair 4–11
1–3
1–3
2–6
F
function hot keys 2–6
Index–2 Startup Guide
Index
P
parts of the notebook
back panel 1–4
bottom panel 1–5
left panel 1–4
status lights 1–6
PC Card slot location 1–4
performance, troubleshooting
ports
1394 1–4
external monitor 1–4
USB 1–4
power
button 1–3, 1–11
mode status light 1–6
settings 2–2
troubleshooting 4–5
R
RAM cover 1–5
recharging the battery pack
reinstalling
operating system 4–12
software 4–13
repairing the operating system
4–11
reset button
location 1–5
using 2–3
restoring software 4–13
RJ-11 (modem) jack
connecting 1–10
location 1–4
RJ-45 (network) jack 1–4
3–3
4–4
S
safeguarding data 4–10
safety information
scroll pad, location
setting up the notebook
connect phone line 1–10
connect power 1–9
install battery pack 1–8
power on 1–11
set up Windows 1–12
troubleshooting 4–6
settings, BIOS 4–8
setup utility
slot location
cable lock 1–4
PC Card and CardBus 1–4
software, restoring 4–13
Standby mode
startup, troubleshooting
status lights
battery charge 1–6
hard drive 1–6
keyboard 1–3, 1–7
location 1–3
main 1–3, 1–6
meanings 1–6
wireless indicator 1–3
S-Video out jack
location 1–4
using 2–8
system recovery 4–9
1–1
1–3
4–7
2–2
4–6
Startup Guide Index–3
Index
T
telephone line connection 1–10
1394 port location
toggling built-in keypad
TouchPad
functions 2–5
troubleshooting 4–4
use of 2–4
troubleshooting
battery packs 4–5
display 4–2
hard drive 4–3
keyboard 4–3
performance 4–4
power 4–5
startup 4–6
1–3
1–4
2–6
turning off the notebook 2–2
turning on the notebook
1–11, 2–2
U
updating
drivers 4–9
software 4–9
USB port location 1–4
using BIOS Setup Utility
4–7
V
volume control 1–4
W
wireless
indicator light 1–3
on-off button 1–3
Index–4 Startup Guide
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