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.
This section provides information about how to identify and correct some common hardware,
memory, and software problems. It also explains several types of common messages that may be
displayed on the screen. The following pages contain troubleshooting information for the topics in
the list below:
Audio (
Battery (
DVD or CD drive (pg 22
Diskette drive (
Display (
Hard drive (
Hardware Installation (
pg 19
pg 19
pg 24
)
)
pg 23
)
pg 27
)
)
)
pg 28
)
Memory Problems (
PC Card (
Power (
Printer (
Tou c hPa d (
Keyboard/Numeric keypad
(
pg 29
pg 31
pg 32
pg 33
pg 34
)
pg 30
)
)
)
)
)
Since symptoms of different problems can appear to be similar, carefully match the symptoms of the
Notebook malfunction against the problem description in the Troubleshooting tables to avoid a
misdiagnosis.
WARNING: To avoid a potential shock hazard during troubleshooting procedures,
Å
disconnect all power sources before removing the keyboard cover or the
display bezel.
Some minor problems and possible solutions are outlined in the following tables. If the problem
appears related to a software application, check the documentation provided with the software.
Solving Audio Problems
Some common audio problems and solutions are listed in the following table:
Solving Audio Problems
ProblemProbable CauseSolution
Notebook does not
beep after the
Power-On Self-Test
(POST).
This action is typical; it
indicates successful
completion of the Power-On
Self-Test (POST).
No action is required.
Solving Battery Pack and Battery Gauge Problems
Some causes and solutions for common battery pack problems are listed in the table below. The
“Solving Power Problems” section in this chapter may also be applicable.
Solving Battery Pack and Battery Gauge Problems
ProblemProbable CauseSolution
Notebook won’t turn
on when battery pack
is inserted and power
cord is unplugged.
Battery pack is discharged.• Connect the Notebook to
an external power
source and charge the
battery pack;
OR
• Replace the battery pack
with a fully charged
battery pack.
Check the battery
connectors on the system
board to ensure that they
are evenly spaced and not
bent or broken.
This section lists some causes and solutions for common Notebook display and external monitor
problems.
You can perform a monitor self-test on an external VGA color or monochrome monitor by
disconnecting the monitor from the Notebook. To do so, complete the following steps:
1. Turn off the monitor.
2. Turn off the Notebook.
3. Disconnect the monitor signal cable from the Notebook.
4. Turn on the monitor and allow it to warm up for one minute.
The display should appear white. On the left and right sides of the screen, a narrow black border
may also be present. If the display screen indicates either of these patterns, the monitor is working
properly.
Solving Display Problems
ProblemProbable CauseSolution
Screen is dim.Brightness control is set too
low.
Notebook screen is in direct
light.
Screen is blank.Screen save was initiated by
Power Management due to
lack of user activity.
Display has overheated.If the Notebook is in direct sunlight, move it to
Display is blank and the
Suspend icon is
flashing.
Internal display is
blank, but the screen on
an external monitor
displays information.
Internal display flashes
or has garbled
characters when the
Notebook is connected
to an external monitor.
Continued
System is in Suspend mode.Press any key or touch the TouchPad.
Display function was switched
to the external monitor.
Used 1024 x 768 or higher
resolution on external monitor
and toggled back to internal
display, which supports up to
800 x 600.
Adjust the Brightness of the display by using
Fn+F7 or Fn+F8.
The light tubes on the
edge of the display
panel do not light up,
and the Power-On
Self-Test (POST)
completes when the
unit is powered up.**
The light tubes on the
edge of the display
panel do not light up,
and the Power-On SelfTes t (P O ST ) do e s n o t
complete when the unit
is powered up.**
Backlight (brightness)
cannot be adjusted with
Fn+F7 or Fn+F8.
Improper backlight or display
cable connections
Defective inverter boardReplace the display assembly.
Defective display cableReplace the display assembly.
Defective display panelReplace the display assembly.
Defective system boardReplace the system board.
Defective system boardReplace the system board.
Improper display cable
connections
Defective inverter boardReplace the display assembly.
Replace the display assembly.
1. Reseat the display cable to the system
board.
2. Replace the display assembly.
Defective display cableReplace the display assembly.
Defective system boardReplace the system board.
**This problem indicates that the backlight or its power circuitry has failed. Since you cannot
observe the POST results on the display panel when the backlight is not functioning, connect the
unit to an external monitor before powering it up. If an external monitor is not available, confirm
that POST completes by opening and closing the display, listening for the single or double beep
and watching for the icons to turn on at the front of the Notebook.
The display panel has a
continuous pattern
across it (for example,
“jailbars” pattern), has
Improper display cable
connections
Reseat the display cable to the
system board and the display
assembly until the problem is
solved.
a single color on it, or
has garbled graphics
across the entire panel.
This failure occurs
across the entire panel,
not just in one section.
Defective display cableReplace the display assembly.
Defective inverter boardReplace the display assembly.
Defective system boardReplace the system board.
A single line, small
Defective display panelReplace the display assembly.
group of lines, or block
appears on the display
panel. This failure
occurs in only one
section of the display
panel.
Note: To perform a “self-test” on an external VGA color or monochrome monitor,
verify the following: The screen should appear white. On the left and right sides of
the screen, a narrow black border may also be present. If the display screen
indicates either of these patterns, the monitor is working properly.
The following table lists some causes and solutions for common PC Card problems.
Solving PC Card Problems
ProblemProbable CauseSolution
When the Notebook is turned
on and a PC card is inserted,
the Notebook does not beep.
PC card modem, fax, or
network card does not work.
Card is not inserted properly.Ensure that the card is inserted in the
correct orientation.
PC card beeps are disabled.Double-click the PC card icon in the
Control Panel, then click the Global Settings tab, enabling the PC Card
sound effects.
Speaker is turned off or volume is
turned down.
Press volume buttons to turn the
speaker on, then increase the
volume.
PC card drivers are not installed.Double-click the Add New
Hardware icon in the Control Panel
for installation instructions. If the PC
card or drivers are not compatible
with Windows, install drivers and use
the PC Card in MS-DOS mode.
Card or card driver is not
supported.
Contact Compaq’s authorized service
provider for a list of PC cards tested
successfully in Compaq PC card
platforms.
Card is not fully inserted into the
slot or is not inserted properly.
Telephone cord is not plugged in all
the way.
Ensure that the card is inserted in the
correct orientation.
Check and secure telephone
connection.
Necessary drivers are not installed
(turned on).
PC card modem or fax card
does not work.
You are trying to access the card
using the wrong COM port.
The card conflicts with a serial
device.
The card is not supported.Use supported cards only.
If you experience problems printing, run a printer self-test. Refer to the documentation provided
with the printer for instructions. If the self-test fails, it is a printer-specific problem. Refer also to the
printing section of the application documentation.
Solving Printer Problems
ProblemProbable CauseSolution
Printer will not turn on.The signal cable may not be
connected properly, or the
printer is unplugged.
Printer will not print.Printer is not turned on or is
offline.
The device drivers for the
application are not installed.
A Printer is set up for a
network, but is not
connected to that network.
Printer cable is too long,
unshielded, or defective.
Paper tray is empty.Fill the paper tray with paper and
Printer prints garbled
information.
Correct printer drivers are
not installed.
Cable is not connected
properly.
Ensure that the signal cable is
properly connected and that the
power cord is connected to the
electrical outlet.
Turn the printer on and set it to
online.
Refer to the printer documentation
to install the correct printer driver.
Connect the printer to the
network.
Replace the cable.
set the printer to online.
Refer to the printer documentation
to install the correct printer driver.
Ensure that the printer signal
cable is properly connected to the
Notebook.