compaq armada m700 User Manual

2-2    Troubleshooting
2.1  Preliminary Steps
IMPORTANT:  Use AC power when running POST or Computer Setup. A low battery
condition could initiate Hibernation and interrupt the test.
Before running POST, complete the following steps:
1.  Obtain established passwords. If you must clear the passwords, go to Section 2.2.
2.  Ensure that the hard drive is installed in the computer.
3.  Ensure that the battery pack is installed in the computer and the power cord is
connected to the computer and plugged into...

Troubleshooting    2-3
2.2  Clearing Passwords
1.  Turn off the computer.
2.  Disconnect the AC Adapter (refer to Section 5.3).
3.  Remove the battery pack (Section 5.6).
4.  Disconnect and remove the Real Time Clock (RTC) battery (Section 5.11).
5.  Wait five minutes.
6.  Reconnect the RTC battery.
7.  Install the keyboard deck and keyboard assembly.
8.  Reconnect the AC Adapter. Do not
 reinstall the battery pack yet.
9.  Turn on the computer.
NOTE:  Remember to set the date and time the next time the...

2-4    Troubleshooting
2.4  POST Error Messages
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 in Section 2.6.
If POST detects an error, one of the following events occurs:

 A message with the prefix WARNING appears, informing you where the error
occurred. The system pauses until you press F1 to continue.

 A message with the prefix FATAL appears, informing you where the error...

Troubleshooting    2-5
Table 2-1
Warning Messages
Message Description Recommended Action
CMOS checksum invalid, run
SCUCMOS RAM information
has been corrupted.Run Computer Setup to
reinitialize CMOS-RAM.
CMOS failure, run SCU CMOS RAM has lost
power.Run Computer Setup to
reinitialize CMOS-RAM.
Diskette controller error The diskette drive
controller failed to
respond to the recalibrate
command.If there is no diskette drive in the
system, run Computer Setup to
properly configure the CMOS-
RAM to show no...

2-6    Troubleshooting
Fatal errors emit a beep and may display a FATAL message. Fatal errors indicate
severe problems, such as a hardware failure. Fatal errors do not allow the system to
resume. Some of the Fatal error beep codes are listed at the end of this section.
Table 2-2
Fatal Error Messages
Message Description Beep code
CMOS RAM test failed A walking bit test of CMOS RAM location 0E
(Hex) - 3F (Hex) failed.3
DMA controller faulty A sequential read/write of the transfer count
and transfer address...

Troubleshooting    2-7
2.5  Compaq Utilities
Compaq Utilities contain several functions that

 Determine if various computer devices are recognized by the system and are
operating properly.

 Provide information about the system once it is configured.
Compaq Utilities include the following programs:

 Computer Setup

 Compaq Diagnostics
To access Compaq Utilities:
1.  Turn on or restart the computer by clicking Start!Shut Down!Restart the
computer.
2. Press F10 when the blinking cursor appears in the...

2-8    Troubleshooting
Using Computer Setup
All information and settings in Computer Setup are accessed from the File, Security, or
Advanced menus.
NOTE: Your settings in Computer Setup are not affected by updating the system ROM.
To view information or change a setting in Computer Setup:
1.  Turn on or restart the computer. When the blinking cursor appears in the upper-right
corner of the screen, press 
F10.

 To change the language, press F2.

 To view navigation information, press F1.

 To return to...

Troubleshooting    2-9
Security Menu
Begin here To do this
Setup password Enter, change, or delete a setup
password.
Power-On password Enter, change, or delete a power-on
password.
Password options Enable/disable:

 QuickLock/QuickBlank.

 Lock keyboard and pointing stick or
touchpad at startup.
(These features can be enabled only
when a power-on password is set.)
DriveLock passwords Enter, change, or delete a DriveLock
password.
Device security Enable/disable

 Ports or diskette drives.

 Diskette...

2-10    Troubleshooting
Advanced Menu
Begin here To do this
Language (or press F2)Change the Computer Setup language.
Boot Options Enable/disable

 QuickBoot, which starts the computer
more quickly by eliminating some
startup tests. (If you suspect a memory
failure and want to test memory
automatically during startup, you may
want to disable QuickBoot.)
MultiBoot, which enables you to set a
startup sequence that can include any
drives in the system.
Device Options
 Enable/disable the embedded numeric...

Troubleshooting    2-11
Using Compaq Diagnostics for Windows
1.  Access Compaq Diagnostics for Windows by selecting
Start!Settings!Control Panel!Compaq Diagnostics.
2.  To select a category, choose one of two methods:

 Select the Categories menu, then select a category from the drop-down list.

 Select a category icon on the toolbar.
3.  To run diagnostic tests
  a) Select the Test tab.
  b) In the scroll box, select the category or device you want to test.
  c) Select the Quick, Complete, or Custom...