compaq presario 1200xl User Manual

							24 TROUBLESHOOTINGPRESARIO NOTEBOOK MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE GUIDE 1200XL SERIES
Presario 1200XL Series
Model XL300, XL300A, and XL300B
Solving CD and DVD Drive Problems
Some common causes and solutions for CD and DVD drive problems are listed in the 
following table.
Solving Diskette Drive Problems
Some causes and solutions for common possible diskette drive problems are listed in the 
following table.
Solving CD or DVD Drive Problems
ProblemProbable CauseSolution(s)
CD or DVD drive 
cannot read a compact 
disc or digital versatile 
disc.Disc is upside-down or is 
improperly inserted in the 
CD or DVD drive.Open the loading tray, lay the CD 
label side up in the tray, then 
close the tray.
CD is CD Plus or 
Pregap/Track 0 type.Cannot read these types of CDs in 
24X. Remove the CD.
Solving Diskette Drive Problems
ProblemProbable CauseSolution(s)
Diskette drive cannot 
write to a diskette.Disk is write-protected. Disable the disk’s write-protect 
feature or use a disk that is not 
write-protected.
Computer is writing to the 
wrong drive.Check the drive letter in the path 
statement.
Not enough space is left on 
the disk.Use another disk.
Drive error has occured.Run Computer Checkup from the 
Compaq Diagnostics disk.
Disk is not formatted. Format the disk. At the system 
prompt, enter: 
FORMAT A:
Diskette drive cannot 
read a diskette.Disk drive cannot read a disk.Use the type of diskette required 
by the drive.
Disk  has  a  bad  sector. Copy files to hard drive or another 
diskette. Reformat bad diskette. 
						

							PRESARIO NOTEBOOK MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE GUIDE 1200XL SERIESTROUBLESHOOTING 25
Presario 1200XL Series
Model XL300, XL300A, and XL300B
Solving Display Problems
This section lists some common causes and solutions for computer 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, then completing 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 be white. A narrow black border may also appear on the left and right 
sides of the display. Both of these displays indicate that the monitor is working properly.
Diskette drive cannot 
read a diskette. 
(Continued)Drive error has occurred.Run Computer Checkup from the 
Compaq Diagnostics diskette.
Diskette is not formatted. Format the diskette. At the 
system prompt, enter 
FORMAT A: 
Cannot boot from 
diskette.Bootable diskette is not in 
drive A.Put the bootable diskette in 
drive A.
Diskette Boot has incorrect 
setting in Computer Setup.Run Computer Setup and set 
diskette as first to boot.
Solving Diskette Drive Problems
ProblemProbable CauseSolution(s) 
						

							26 TROUBLESHOOTINGPRESARIO NOTEBOOK MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE GUIDE 1200XL SERIES
Presario 1200XL Series
Model XL300, XL300A, and XL300B
Solving Display Problems
ProblemProbable CauseSolution(s)
Screen is dim. Brightness Control 
(if available) is not set 
properly.Adjust the brightness of the 
display by pressing Fn+F7 or 
Fn+F8.
Computer screen is in direct 
light.Tilt display or move computer.
Screen is blank. Screen save was initiated by 
Power Management due to 
lack of user activity.Press any key or touch the 
TouchPad.
Display has overheated.If the Notebook is in direct 
sunlight, move it and allow it to 
cool off.
Display is blank and 
the Suspend icon is 
flashing.System is in Suspend mode. Press any key or touch the 
TouchPad.
Internal display is 
blank but the screen 
on an external monitor 
displays information.Display function was switched 
to an external monitor.Press Fn+F3 to switch between 
LCD or CRT.
Internal display 
flashes or has garbled 
characters when the 
Notebook is connected 
to an external monitor.Using 1024 x 768 or higher 
resolution on external monitor 
and toggling back to internal 
display, which supports up to 
800 x 600.Restart the Notebook.
The light tubes on the 
edge of the display 
panel do not light up 
at all and the Power-
On Self-Test (POST) 
completes when the 
unit is powered up.*Improper backlight or display 
cable connections.Replace the display assembly.
Defective inverter board. Replace the display assembly.
Defective display cable.Replace the display assembly.
Defective display panel. Replace the display assembly.
Defective system board.Replace the system board. 
						

							PRESARIO NOTEBOOK MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE GUIDE 1200XL SERIESTROUBLESHOOTING 27
Presario 1200XL Series
Model XL300, XL300A, and XL300B
*This problem indicates that the backlight or its power circuitry has failed. If the backlight is 
not functioning, the POST result cannot be observed. Connect the unit to an external 
monitor before powering up the unit. If an external monitor is not available, verify that POST 
is complete 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 light tubes on the 
edge of the display 
panel do not light up 
at all and Power-On 
Self-Test (POST) does 
not complete when the 
unit is powered up.*Defective system board. Replace the system board.
Backlight (brightness) 
cannot be adjusted 
with Fn+F7 or Fn+F8.Improper display cable 
connections.1. Reseat the display cable to the 
system board.
2. Replace the display assembly.
Defective inverter board. Replace the display assembly.
Defective display cable.Replace the display assembly.
Defective system board. Replace the system board.
Solving Display Problems Continued
ProblemProbable CauseSolution(s)
This display panel has 
a continuous pattern 
across it (e.g., 
“jailbars” pattern), has 
a single color on it, or 
has garbled graphics 
across the entire 
panel. This failure is 
for patterns across the 
entire panel (not just 
on one section).Improper display cable 
connectionsReseat the display cable to the 
following until the problem is 
solved:
1. System board
2. Display assembly
Defective display cable.Replace the display assembly.
Defective inverter board. Replace the display assembly.
Solving Display Problems
ProblemProbable CauseSolution(s) 
						

							28 TROUBLESHOOTINGPRESARIO NOTEBOOK MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE GUIDE 1200XL SERIES
Presario 1200XL Series
Model XL300, XL300A, and XL300B
Note: When you perform a self-test on an external VGA color or monochrome monitor, 
the screen should be white. A narrow black border may also appear on the left and right 
sides of the display. Both of these displays indicate that the monitor is working properly.
Defective system board.Replace the system board.
A single line, small 
group of lines, or block 
appears on the display 
panel. This failure 
occurs in only a 
section of the display 
panel.Defective display panel. Replace the display assembly.
Solving Display Problems Continued
ProblemProbable CauseSolution(s) 
						

							PRESARIO NOTEBOOK MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE GUIDE 1200XL SERIESTROUBLESHOOTING 29
Presario 1200XL Series
Model XL300, XL300A, and XL300B
Solving Hard Drive Problems
Some causes and solutions for possible common hard drive problems are listed in the 
following table.
Ä
CAUTION: To prevent loss of information, maintain an up-to-date backup of your 
hard drive at all times in case of errors or failures.
Solving Hardware Installation Problems
Some causes and solutions for possible common hardware installation problems are listed 
in the following table.
Solving Hard Drive Problems
ProblemProbable CauseSolution(s)
Reading the hard drive 
takes an unusually 
long time after 
restarting the 
Notebook.System entered Hibernation 
due to a low-battery condition 
and is now exiting from it.Give the system time to restore 
the previously saved data to its 
exact state before Hibernation.
Hard drive error 
occurs.Hard drive has bad sectors or 
has failed.Run Computer Checkup.
Hard drive does not 
work.Hard drive is not seated 
properly.Turn off and unplug the Notebook, 
remove the battery pack, and 
remove and then reinstall the 
hard drive.
Solving Hardware Installation Problems
ProblemProbable CauseSolution(s)
A new device is not 
recognized as part of 
the computer system.Cable(s) of a new external 
device are loose, or power 
cables are unplugged.Ensure that all cables are properly 
and securely connected.
Power switch of new external 
device is not turned on.Turn off the Notebook, turn on the 
external device, then turn on the 
Notebook to integrate the device 
with the computer system.
Device  is  not  seated  properly. Turn off the Notebook and reinsert 
the device. 
						

							30 TROUBLESHOOTINGPRESARIO NOTEBOOK MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE GUIDE 1200XL SERIES
Presario 1200XL Series
Model XL300, XL300A, and XL300B
Solving Keyboard/Numeric Keypad Problems
Some causes and solutions for possible common keyboard/numeric keypad problems are 
listed in the following table.
Solving Memory Problems
Some causes and solutions for possible common memory problems are listed in the 
following table.
Solving Keyboard/Numeric Keypad Problems
ProblemProbable CauseSolution(s)
Embedded numeric 
keypad on Notebook 
keyboard is disabled.Num Lock function is not 
enabled.Press the Shift+NumLk keys to 
enable the Num Lock function and 
embedded numeric keypad. The 
Num Lock light on the Notebook 
turns on.
Embedded numeric 
keypad is disabled and 
Num Lock function 
is on.External numeric keypad is 
connected to the Notebook.Disconnect the external numeric 
keypad from the Notebook.
Solving Memory Problems
ProblemProbable CauseSolution(s)
Memory count during 
Power-On Self-Test 
(POST) is incorrect.Optional memory expansion 
card is installed incorrectly, is 
incompatible with the 
computer, or is defective.Ensure that the optional memory 
expansion card is installed 
correctly.
“Out of Memory” 
message is displayed 
on the screen or 
insufficient memory 
error occurs during 
operation.System ran out of memory for 
the application.Check the application 
documentation for memory 
requirements. If necessary, install 
additional memory.
Too many TSR (terminate-
and-stay-resident) 
applications are running.Remove from memory any TSR 
applications that you do not need.  
						

							PRESARIO NOTEBOOK MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE GUIDE 1200XL SERIESTROUBLESHOOTING 31
Presario 1200XL Series
Model XL300, XL300A, and XL300B
Solving PC Card Problems
The following table lists some common causes and solutions for PC card problems.
Solving PC Card Problems
ProblemProbable CauseSolution(s)
When turned on, the 
Notebook does not 
beep when a PC card is 
inserted.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 on 
the Control Panel, click the Global 
Settings tab, the enable 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 on the Control 
Panel for installation instructions.
If 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 a Compaq-authorized 
service provider for a list of PC 
cards tested sucessfully in 
Compaq PC card platforms.
PC card modem, fax, 
or network card does 
not work.Card is not fully inserted into 
the slot or is not inserted 
properly.Ensure that the card is inserted in 
the correct orientation.
Telephone cord is not plugged 
in all the way.Check and secure telephone 
connection.
Necessary drivers are not 
installed (turned on).Install drivers.
PC card modem or fax 
card does not work.You are trying to access the 
card using the wrong 
COM port.See Specifications
 to verify 
COM port. 
						

							32 TROUBLESHOOTINGPRESARIO NOTEBOOK MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE GUIDE 1200XL SERIES
Presario 1200XL Series
Model XL300, XL300A, and XL300B
The card conflicts with a serial 
device.See Specifications to verify 
address.
The card is not supported. Use supported cards only.
Modem network PC 
Card does not work.Network driver is not installed 
or is not set up properly.Install driver.
Telephone cord is not properly 
connected.Verify telephone connection.
Memory or storage 
card does not work.SRAM and flash memory 
cards require the memory 
card driver to be loaded 
(turned on).
Flash memory cards require 
the Microsoft FlashFile System 
to be loaded.
Hard drives on flash 
mass-storage cards require 
the PC Card ATA driver to be 
loaded.Install driver.
You are trying to access the 
hard drive card using the 
wrong drive letter.Double-click My Computer to 
verify the drive letter assigned to 
the card.
The card is not supported.Contact a Compaq-authorized 
service provider for a list of PC 
cards tested successfully in 
Compaq PC card platforms.
Solving PC Card Problems
ProblemProbable CauseSolution(s) 
						

							PRESARIO NOTEBOOK MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE GUIDE 1200XL SERIESTROUBLESHOOTING 33
Presario 1200XL Series
Model XL300, XL300A, and XL300B
Solving Power Problems
See also Solving Battery Pack/Gauge Problems in this section.
Solving Power Problems
ProblemProbable CauseSolution(s)
Notebook will not turn 
on and the battery 
pack is not inserted.Notebook is not connected to 
a power source.Insert battery or connect an 
external power source.
Power cords to the external 
power source are unplugged.Ensure that power cords 
connecting the Notebook and the 
external power source are 
plugged in properly.
Power adapter is defective. Replace AC adapter and restart.
Notebook turned off 
while it was left 
unattended and the 
power icon is off.System board is defective.Replace the system board.
System initiated Hibernation 
due to a critical low-battery 
condition.Replace the battery pack with a 
fully charged battery pack, or 
connect the Notebook to an 
external power source. Then turn 
on the Notebook.
System initiated Hibernation 
after a preset timeout.Turn on the Notebook.