HP Vectra VL800 User manual

hp vectra vl800
desktop &
minitower
troubleshooting
guide
www.hp.com/go/vectrasupport

Francais
Notice
The information contained in this document is subject to change
without notice.
Hewlett-Packard makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this
material, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Hewlett-Packard
shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or
consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance,
or use of this material.
This document contains proprietary information that is protected by
copyright. All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be
photocopied, reproduced, or translated to another language without the
prior written consent of Hewlett-Packard Company.
Adobe®, Acrobat®and Acrobat®Reader™ are trademarks of Adobe
Systems Incorporated.
McAfee VirusScan®is a registered trademark of Network Associates,
Inc.
Microsoft®, MS®, MS-DOS®, Windows®, and Windows NT®are U.S.
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Pentium®is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
HP France
Business Desktop Division (BDD)
Outbound Marketing Communications
38053 Grenoble Cedex 9
France
2001 Hewlett-Packard Company
Feb. 2001

iii
Contents
Your PC does not start correctly,
or does not start at all. Refer to page 7.
For example, the monitor is blank, error messages during boot,
beep codes emitted.
Your PC starts normally, but you are
having problems using or configuring. Refer to page 19.
For example, hardware not detected, you have forgotten a password,
there is a software problem.
Troubleshooting your PC
using HP DiagTools. Refer to page 41.
You can diagnose hardware-related problems, test
individual hardware components and check hardware configuration.
Recovering hard disk drive contents with the
recovery CD-ROM. Refer to page 49.
You can restore the preloaded operating system,
drivers, utilities and software.
Other useful sources of information. Refer to page 51.
How to obtain the latest drivers, software utilities and BIOS updates.
Also details on how to download documentation
corresponding to your PC.
Contacting HP Support Services. Refer to page 53.
Details the type of information you should prepare before
contacting HP Support for assistance.
Troubleshooting your PC using HP Instant Support.
You can use this web-based problem resolution service to automate and
speeds up troubleshooting. Go to www.hp.com/go/vectrasupport,
then click HP Instant Support in the left-hand menu.

iv

5
Introduction
Introduction
This manual is for anyone who wants to:
•Troubleshoot problems on their PC
•Find out where to get more information and support.
For information about setting up and using your PC, refer to the User’s
Guide, available on HP’s web site at:
www.hp.com/go/vectrasupport.

Important Warnings
6
Important Warnings
Removing and Replacing the Cover
WARNING For your safety, never remove the PC’s cover without first removing
the power cord from the power outlet and any connection to a
telecommunications network. Always replace the cover before
switching the PC on again.
Safety Information
WARNING There is a danger of explosion if the battery is incorrectly installed. For
your safety, never attempt to recharge, disassemble, or burn an old
battery. Only replace the battery with the same or equivalent type, as
recommended by the manufacturer. The battery in this PC is a lithium
battery which does not contain any heavy metals. Nevertheless, in
order to protect the environment, do not dispose of batteries in
household waste. Please return used batteries either to the shop from
which you bought them, to the dealer from whom you purchased your
PC, or to HP so that they can either be recycled or disposed of in the
correct way. Returned batteries will be accepted free of charge.
If you have a modem:
Do not attempt to connect this product to the phone line during a
lightning storm. Never install telephone jacks in wet locations unless
the telephone line has been disconnected at the network interface.
Never touch uninsulated telephone wires or terminals unless the
telephone line has been disconnected at the network interface. Use
caution when installing or modifying telephone lines. Avoid using a
telephone (other than a cordless type) during a lightning storm. There
may be a risk from lightning.
Do not use the telephone to report a gas leak in the vicinity of the leak.
Never touch or remove the communications board without first
removing the connection to the telephone network.

7
1
Your PC Does Not Start Correctly
Symptom Type of Problem
Case 1
When the power button is pressed, the PC shows
no sign of activity at all:
•PC may not be correctly connected to the
power supply.
Refer to page 9.
•Monitor is blank.
•No hard disk drive or fan noise.
•Status LED does not light up.
Case 2
When the power button is pressed, the PC appears
to boot, but monitor remains blank:
•Monitor may be badly connected or not
switched on.
Refer to page 11.
•Hard disk drive and fan can be heard.
•Status LED is GREEN.
Case 3
When the power button is pressed, the PC does
not boot:
•The PC has detected a hardware
configuration error. A component may be
badly connected inside the PC.
Refer to page 13.
•Hard disk drive and/or fan can be heard.
•Monitor remains blank.
•Status LED is RED (Desktop) or
YELLOW (Minitower).
•Beep code is emitted.
Case 4
When the power button is pressed, the PC starts
to boot and there is activity on the monitor:
•Configuration error has been detected. Refer to page 15.
•Boot process fails with an error message.
•Status LED is RED (Desktop) or
YELLOW (Minitower).
Case 5
When the power button is pressed, the PC starts
to boot and there is initially some activity on the
monitor, but then:
•Screen becomes blank.
or
•Image is corrupt.
•Video card may be improperly installed or
incorrectly configured.
•Hard disk drive failure or not accessible.
Refer to page 17.

1 Your PC Does Not Start Correctly
8
Helpful Information
EMU (Error Message Utility) Description. Refer to page 15.
Beep Code Table Refer to page 14.
If You Have Forgotten Your BIOS Password Refer to page 27.
Troubleshooting BIOS Problems:
•Updating the BIOS. Refer to page 31.
•Restoring BIOS Default Settings. Refer to page 31.
•Clearing the CMOS. Refer to page 32.
•Recovering the BIOS (Crisis Mode). Refer to page 33.
System Board Switches. Refer to page 34.
Using the HP Setup Program. Refer to page 35.
Troubleshooting Hardware With HP e-DiagTools. Refer to page 41.

9
1 Your PC Does Not Start Correctly
Case 1 — If There Is No Activity At All
Case 1 — If There Is No Activity At All
When the power button is pressed, the PC shows no sign of activity at
all. The monitor is blank, there is no sound from the hard disk drive or
fan, or the status LED does not light up.
•Monitor is blank.
•No hard disk drive or fan noise.
•Status LED does not light up.
NOTE Before removing the cover, always switch off the display and PC.
Disconnect the power cord and any accessory cables. When checks
have been completed, close the PC and reconnect the power cord and
accessory cables. Verify that the PC boots correctly.
Symptom... Check that... How...
PC does not start – the status
LED indicator is not illuminated.
The power cord is correctly connected. Connect the power cord to a grounded power outlet and the
PC.
The power outlet is working. Plug a light into the grounded power outlet and check it
comes on.
The voltage switch is correctly set (located
on the rear of the PC).
1Disconnect the power cord.
2Select the correct setting.
3Reconnect the power cord.
4Start the PC.
If the PC still does not start
Check that... How...
None of the internal devices are causing the
problem.
1Remove internal power connectors from all internal
devices (except for the system board).
2Reconnect the power cord.
3Reconnect the power connectors one by one to the
internal devices to see if a device is defective.
4If a device is found to be defective, contact HP Support or
your authorized dealer.
Continued on the next page ➩

1 Your PC Does Not Start Correctly
Case 1 — If There Is No Activity At All
10
If the PC still does not start
Check that... How...
There is not a problem with the power
supply unit.
1Replace the power supply unit by a known working power
supply from the same model of PC.
2If the PC starts, contact HP Support or your authorized
dealer. The power supply unit might need replacing.
If the problem persists, contact HP Support or your authorized dealer
Symptom... Check that... How...