HP Compaq Presario SR5202HM, Compaq Presario SR5210CF, Compaq Presario SR5213HK, Compaq Presario SR5214X, Compaq Presario SR5215CF Troubleshooting
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Troubleshooting and Maintenance Guide
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Table of Contents
Maintenance............................................................................................1
Creating Data Backup Discs .................................................................................... 1
Creating System Recovery Discs ...............................................................................1
Removing Unused Programs.....................................................................................1
Using Windows Update .......................................................................................... 2
Reviewing programs that automatically run at startup ..................................................2
Running the Disk Cleanup Program...........................................................................2
Running Disk Cleanup manually .......................................................................... 2
Scheduling Disk Cleanup to run automatically ....................................................... 2
Running the Disk Defragmenter Program.................................................................... 2
Checking for Hard Disk Drive Errors .........................................................................3
Understanding Hard Disk Drive Space ......................................................................3
Keeping the Computer Free of Dust and Dirt .............................................................. 3
Cleaning the computer and monitor .....................................................................4
Cleaning the keyboard and mouse ...................................................................... 4
Troubleshooting Computer Problems ........................................................5
Audio ................................................................................................................... 5
CD and DVD Drives................................................................................................ 7
Video.................................................................................................................... 9
Display (Monitor).................................................................................................... 9
Hard Disk Drive....................................................................................................10
Hardware Installation............................................................................................ 11
Internet Access .....................................................................................................13
Keyboard and Mouse ...........................................................................................15
Power ................................................................................................................. 17
Performance ........................................................................................................19
Bluetooth Wireless Devices ....................................................................................20
Miscellaneous ...................................................................................................... 21
Repairing Software Problems ................................................................22
Software Repair Overview.....................................................................................22
Restarting Your Computer ...................................................................................... 22
Turning Off Your Computer.................................................................................... 22
Updating Drivers ..................................................................................................22
Microsoft System Restore .......................................................................................23
Software Program and Hardware Driver Reinstallation ..............................................23
System Recovery .................................................................................................. 24
Creating Recovery Discs........................................................................................24
System Recovery Options ......................................................................................25
Starting system recovery from the hard disk drive ................................................ 25
Running system recovery from recovery discs ...................................................... 26
Table of Contents iii
iv Troubleshooting and Maintenance Guide
Maintenance
This section includes information about tasks you can
perform to help ensure trouble-free operation of your
computer, and to ease the recovery of important
information on your computer if problems arise in the
future.
Creating Data Backup Discs
You can use CD or DVD recording (or burning)
software that is installed on your computer, (for
example, Roxio Creator Basic) to create backup discs
of important information, including personal files,
e-mail messages, and Web site bookmarks. You can
also move data to an external hard disk drive.
The following procedure is just one way to back up
data; refer to Help and Support for more
information.
1 Click the Windows Start Button
Programs, Roxio, and then Creator.
The Roxio Creator window opens.
2 Click Data, and then Data Disc.
3 To add files to the open Roxio project window
(which reflects what will end up on your
data disc):
Click Add Data, navigate to the files or folder
you want to back up, and then click Add.
Or
Drag and drop the files or folders from a directory
window to the Roxio project window.
4 Click Continue in the lower-right corner of the
project window.
A dialog opens, prompting you to place a disc
into the disc drive, and providing a list of
acceptable disc types.
5 Click Options in the lower-right pane, and in the
Options window, check that the Verify data
written to the disc after burning checkbox
is checked.
®
, All
7 Click Done to return to the Roxio project window.
8 Remove the disc from the disc drive, label it, and
store it in a safe place. If you are using an external
hard drive, ensure the files are marked clearly as
backup data.
When writing data to a backup disc, you should use
software that includes write verification functionality.
This feature compares the data on your hard disk drive
with the data copied to the disc to ensure it is an exact
copy. Depending on your disc recording software, you
may need to manually enable this feature (refer to the
software documentation).
If you encounter recording issues, try alternate media
(different types or brands). Also, use the Windows
Explorer tool to view your files and verify content was
copied over. To open Windows Explorer, right-click the
Windows Start Button
, and then click
Explore
.
Creating System Recovery Discs
This is a one-time procedure that you should perform
while your computer is working properly. If you
encounter problems with your computer later, you can
restore it to its original factory settings by using the
system recovery discs that you created.
Before creating system recovery discs, read “System
Recovery” on page 24.
Removing Unused Programs
Unused programs take up memory space and slow
down the computer. If there are programs you do not
use, follow these steps to uninstall them.
1 Click the Windows Start Button, and then
Control Panel.
2 Click Uninstall a program. The Programs and
Features window opens.
3 Select the program you want to remove, and then
click Uninstall.
4 Follow the onscreen instructions.
6 Click the Burn button to begin recording
data to the disc.
A progress screen opens.
NOTE: Some programs have their own uninstall
features. If you cannot uninstall a program from the
Control Panel, refer to the program documentation or
online Help.
Maintenance 1
Using Windows Update
Check for updates or schedule a monthly automatic
update. (See the Getting Started guide for details.)
1 Click the Windows Start Button, and Control
Panel.
2 Under Security, click the Check for Updates
button.
3 Download and install updates by clicking Install
Updates.
Reviewing programs that automatically run at startup
Set the Windows Start Menu to open only needed
software programs, to improve system speed and
performance:
Scheduling Disk Cleanup to run automatically
1 Click the Windows Start Button, All
Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and
then click Task Scheduler.
2 Click Action, and then click Create
Basic Task.
3 Type a name for the task, and an optional
description.
4 Click Next, and then click Next again.
5 Select the reoccurrence, and click Next.
6 Select the time at which to run Disk Cleanup, and
click Next. Disk Cleanup may take a long time,
so select a time when the computer is on but not
in use.
1 Click the Windows Start Button, All
Programs, then click Windows Defender.
2 Click Tools.
3 Click Software Explorer.
4 In the Category list, select Startup Programs.
5 Select the program that you want to prevent from
running, and click Disable.
Running the Disk Cleanup Program
The Disk Cleanup program frees up space on your
hard disk drive by removing temporary and unused
files (including temporary Internet files and files in the
Recycle Bin). You can run Disk Cleanup manually, or
you can set it up to run automatically.
Running Disk Cleanup manually
1 Click the Windows Start Button, All
Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and
then click Disk Cleanup.
Disk Cleanup searches for files to delete and
calculates how much disk space can be saved.
2 Place a checkmark in the checkbox next to the file
types you want to delete.
7 Select Start a program, and click Next.
8 Under Program/Script, click Browse.
9 Type cleanmgr.exe, and click Open, and
then Next.
10 Review the summary of the schedule you set.
When you are done, click Finish. Disk Cleanup
will run at the time you set.
Running the Disk Defragmenter Program
When Microsoft® Windows Vista™ stores files on your
hard disk drive, it often divides them into multiple
pieces (or fragments) so they fit into available space on
the drive. When you open a fragmented file, the
process takes more time because it must be retrieved
from more than one place.
The Disk Defragmenter program groups the
fragmented files together on your hard disk drive to
improve computer performance. This does not affect
the location of files and folders on your computer.
NOTE: The Disk Defragmenter program may take a
long time to complete. You can run it unattended
overnight.
3 Click OK, and then click Delete Files to finish
deleting the selected files.
2 Troubleshooting and Maintenance Guide
1 Save your work and close all open programs.
2 Press the Ctrl-Alt-Delete keys simultaneously.
3 Click Start Task Manager.
4 On the Applications tab, select all the programs
that are listed, and then click End Task. Close the
Task Man age r.
5 Click the Windows Start Button, All
Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and
then click Disk Defragmenter.
6 Click Defragment Now.
If Disk Defragmenter repeatedly starts, a background
program is still accessing the hard disk drive. Restart
the computer in Safe Mode, and then run the Disk
Defragmenter program again:
1 Click the Windows Start
Button, click the Arrow
button next to the Lock button,
and then click Restart.
2 Press the F8 key as soon as the first logo screen
appears.
3 In the Windows Advanced Options menu, use the
arrow keys to select Safe Mode, and then press
Enter.
4 After Windows Vista starts, use the procedure
above to run the Disk Defragmenter program.
5 To turn off Safe Mode, repeat step 1.
Checking for Hard Disk Drive
6 Click Start. If prompted to restart the computer,
click Yes.
The computer will restart and check the hard disk
drive for errors.
Understanding Hard Disk Drive Space
The hard disk drive on the Hewlett-Packard and
Compaq computers with the Windows Vista operating
system preinstalled may appear to be smaller than
what is stated in the product specifications, in the
documentation, or on the box. Hard disk drives are
described and advertised by manufacturers in terms of
decimal (base 10) capacity. Windows Vista and other
programs, such as FDISK, use the binary (base 2)
numbering system.
In decimal notation, one megabyte (MB) is equal to
1,000,000 bytes, and one gigabyte (GB) is equal to
1,000,000,000 bytes. In the binary numbering
system, one megabyte is equal to 1,048,576 bytes,
and one gigabyte is equal to 1,073,741,824 bytes.
Because of the different measuring systems, you may
see a difference between the size reported by
Windows Vista and the size advertised. The storage
capacity of the hard disk drive is as advertised.
Windows Vista reports smaller capacity in the
Windows Explorer tool and in the Computer window
because it shows information about one partition on
the hard disk drive at a time. One of the partitions
contains the system recovery information.
Errors
Perform the following procedure to check the integrity
of the hard disk drive in Windows Vista. Close all
open programs before beginning the disk check.
1 Click the Windows Start Button, and then
Computer.
2 Right-click the hard disk drive that you want to
check, and click Properties.
3 Click the Tools tab.
4 Under Error-checking, click Check Now.
5 If desired, place a checkmark in the
Automatically fix file system errors and
Scan for and attempt recovery of bad
sectors checkboxes.
Keeping the Computer Free of Dust and Dirt
Keeping your computer system free of dust and dirt will
prolong its life. Dust, pet hair, and other particles can
build up, creating a blanket effect; as a result,
components can overheat, or, in the case of the
keyboard and mouse, not work as smoothly and
effectively. Check your system once a month for visible
signs of dust and debris, and clean it about once every
three months.
Maintenance 3
Cleaning the computer and monitor
1 Unplug the computer from its power source.
2 Unplug the monitor from its power source.
3 Use a clean, dry cloth to dust the computer case
and the monitor.
4 Use a clean cloth dampened with warm water to
wipe the computer case and the monitor case
clean.
Do not use water on the monitor screen.
NOTE: If there is sticker residue or a spill on the
computer or monitor case, use isopropyl or
rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth to remove it.
Cleaning the keyboard and mouse
When cleaning the keyboard keys, use a low setting
on the battery-powered vacuum cleaner, to avoid
removing key caps and springs.
1 Vacuum between the keys of the keyboard and
along the grooves.
2 Use a clean, dry cloth and isopropyl alcohol to
clean buildup on the keyboard keys and along its
edges.
3 Wipe the body of the mouse and the mouse cord
with cleaning wipes or a cloth and cleanser.
If you have a rollerball mouse, clean the ball and
rollers inside:
5 Use a clean cloth to dry the computer and
monitor case.
6 Use a clean, dry cloth to clean the monitor screen,
or, for more thorough cleaning use an antistatic
screen cleaner and a clean cloth.
Cleaning vents
Air vents keep the computer and monitor cool. To
maintain efficient air flow, keep these vents clean by
using a small battery-operated vacuum cleaner. (A
battery-operated vacuum cleaner eliminates the risk of
electric shock.)
1 Run the vacuum over the vents in the computer
case and the monitor case.
2 Remove any debris that has accumulated in and
around the computer ports (for example, the
Ethernet and USB ports).
1 Turn the mouse upside down.
2 Rotate the ball-cover ring counterclockwise to
remove the ring and release the roller ball.
3 Rinse the roller ball with soap and warm water.
4 Clean the rollers inside the mouse with a cotton
swab dampened with isopropyl alcohol.
5 After the roller ball and rollers are completely dry,
replace the ball and ball-cover ring.
4 Troubleshooting and Maintenance Guide
Troubleshooting Computer Problems
The troubleshooting tables appear in the following
order:
Audio
CD and DVD Drives
Video
Display (Monitor)
Hard Disk Drive
Hardware Installation
Internet Access
Keyboard and Mouse
Power
Performance
Bluetooth Wireless Devices
Miscellaneous
For more information about monitor problems, or for
problems related specifically to your printer, refer to
the documentation provided by the product
manufacturer.
Audio
Symptom Possible solution
No sound is produced. Press the Mute button on the keyboard to see whether the Mute feature is
enabled.
Or
1 Click the Windows Start Button, and then Control Panel.
2 Click Hardware and Sound, and then Adjust system volume.
3 If programs are muted, click the Mute button to unmute.
Click the Vol um e icon ( ) on the task bar, or use the keyboard controls to
increase the volume.
Ensure powered (active) speakers are turned on.
Turn off your computer, and reconnect the speakers. Ensure the speakers are
connected to an audio port, not a Line In or headphone port.
Press the Sleep button (select models only), or the Esc key on the keyboard, to
resume from sleep mode.
Unplug headphones if they are connected to your computer.
Troubleshooting Computer Problems 5
Audio (continued)
Symptom Possible solution
Codec error messages appear
when certain audio files are
played.
Volume is very low or
unsatisfactory.
Open the file in Windows Media Player. Ensure Windows Media Player is
configured to automatically download codecs.
If the correct codec is available, the file will play. Note that you must be
connected to the Internet to download the codec file.
If the correct codec is not available, check to see whether there is an
update available for Windows Media Player.
For more information, open Windows Media Player Help and search for
codec.
Detached non-powered speakers (speakers without a separate power cord)
will not produce satisfactory sound. Replace the non-powered speakers with
powered speakers. Powered speakers have a power cord and On button, and
they connect to the Audio Out (green) connector on the back of the computer.
6 Troubleshooting and Maintenance Guide
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