This section provides information for troubleshooting Compaq Presario 1400 Series Portable
Notebooks. To isolate problems while troubleshooting the Notebook, refer to the following
procedures:
1. Preliminary Steps
2. Power-On Self-Test (POST
.
).
3. Test the recommended actions described in the diagnostic tables if POST is unavailable or if
POST displays an error message.
When following the recommended actions in the Sections about the Power-On Self-Test (POST)
Diagnostic Error Codes
, perform the steps in the order listed. Rerun POST after each recommended
and
action until the problem is solved or no error messages occur. Once the problem is solved, do not
continue with any remaining recommended actions.
Note: If the problem is intermittent, check the Notebook several times to verify that the
problem is solved.
Before running the Power-On Self-Test (POST), complete the following steps:
1. If a Power-on password has been established, type the password and press the Enter key. If
the password is unknown, clear the password (See Clearing the Power-On Password
).
2. Run the Computer Checkup (TEST)
.
3. Turn off the Notebook and all external devices.
4. Disconnect any external device that does not need testing. Do not disconnect the printer if it
needs testing or if it is required to log error messages.
Important: If the problem only occurs when an external device is connected to the
Notebook, the problem may be related to the external device or its cable. Check this by
running POST both with and without the external device connected.
5. Install loopback plugs in the serial and parallel connectors if these ports need testing.
6. Ensure that the hard drive is installed in the Notebook.
7. Ensure that the battery pack is inserted into the Notebook, and that it is connected to an
external AC power source.
When these preliminary steps are completed, run the Power-on Self-Test (POST)
Turn off the Notebook, then turn it on again. As soon as the Compaq logo appears, press ESC to
clear the logo and display the POST messages as they occur.
If the Notebook does not beep, POST has successfully completed its test and detected no errors.
POST then re-boots from the hard drive, or from a bootable diskette if one is installed in the diskette
drive.
However, if POST detects errors, these errors are indicated by either displayed or audible messages
or both. Listed below are probable causes of and recommended actions to resolve the problems of
each POST error codes.
The following tables list error codes, a description of the error condition, and the action required to
resolve the error condition.
Note: If the system is not functioning well enough to run POST, or if the display is not
functioning well enough to show POST error messages, refer to the Troubleshooting
tables (pg 10
Compaq Diagnostics are installed on the hard drive of the Notebook. Run the Diagnostic utilities
when viewing or testing system information or if devices have been installed or connected. If
Compaq Diagnostics are performed from a diskette, ensure that the diagnostic program is
version 10.11 or later.
Perform the following utilities from the Diagnostics menu:
•
Run Computer Checkup (TEST).
•
View System Information (INSPECT).
•
Prepare Notebook for a Compaq Service Call (RemotePaq)
If a problem is unsolvable, run the following Diagnostics utilities before calling for support:
1. Run Computer Checkup.
2. Save the device list.
3. Save the log of errors to file and print.
4. Run the View System Information (INSPECT) utility.
5. Save and print the information generated by the utility.
6. Have the files and the printed information ready when calling for
support.
Computer Checkup (TEST) determines whether the various Notebook components and devices are
recognized by the system and functioning properly. Information generated by Computer Checkup
can be displayed, printed, or saved.
Follow this procedure to run Computer Checkup:
1. Plug the Notebook into an external power source. (A low-battery condition could interrupt the
program.)
2. Turn on the external devices that need testing. Connect the printer if a log of error messages
needs printing.
3. Insert the Compaq Diagnostics diskette in drive A.
4. Turn on or restart the Notebook. The Notebook starts from drive A, and the Diagnostics
Welcome screen is displayed.
5. Press Enter to continue. The Diagnostics menu is displayed on screen.
6. Select Computer Checkup from the Diagnostics menu. A Test Option menu is displayed.
7. Select View the Device List from the Test Option menu. A list of the
installed Compaq devices is displayed.
8. If the list of installed devices is correct, select OK. The Test Option menu is displayed.
Note: If the list is incorrect, check new devices for proper installation.
Select one of the following from the Test Option menu:
Quick Check Diagnostics. This check runs a quick, general test on each device with a
•
minimal number of prompts. If errors occur, they are displayed when the testing is complete.
Error messages cannot be printed or saved.
Automatic Diagnostics. This diagnostic runs unattended, performs maximum testing of each
•
device with minimal prompts, and allows the operator to choose how many times to run the tests, to
stop on errors or to print and save a log of errors.
Prompted Diagnostics. This test allows maximum control over testing the devices. It permits the
•
operator to choose attended or unattended testing, whether or not to stop on errors, or to choose to
print or save a log of errors.
9. Follow the instructions on the screen as the devices are tested. When testing is complete, the
Test Option menu is displayed.
The View System Information (INSPECT) utility provides information about the Notebook and
devices installed or connected to it. Display, print, or save the information.
Follow these steps to run View System Information (INSPECT) from the Compaq Diagnostics
diskette:
1. Turn on the external devices that need testing. Connect the printer to print the information.
2. Insert the Compaq Diagnostics diskette in drive A.
3. Turn on or restart the Notebook. The Notebook starts from drive A, and the Diagnostics
Welcome screen is displayed.
4. Press Enter to continue. The Diagnostics menu is displayed.
5. Select View System Information (INSPECT) from the Diagnostics menu.
6. Select an item from the following list to view diagnostic codes:
System
ROM
Keyboard
System ports
System storage
Graphics
Memory
Audio
Operating system
System files
Windows files
7. Follow the instructions on the screen to cycle through the screens, to return to the list and
choose another item, or to print the information.
Diagnostic error codes are displayed if the system recognizes a problem while running the Compaq
Diagnostic program. These error codes help to identify possibly defective subassemblies.
The following tables list error codes, a description of the error condition, and the action required to
resolve the error condition.
Important: Retest the system after completing each step. If the problem has not been
resolved, do not proceed with the remaining steps.
For the removal and replacement of a particular subassembly, see Procedures.