IBM Aptiva E40/E24
(250-0467/8) Troubleshooting Faxback Doc. # 40723
Hardware
If the problem is: Here's what to do:
No beep during power-on self Make sure that the system unit is turned
test (POST). on.
Screen is black (no error If you installed memory modules or
code), more than one beep in adapter cards, make sure you installed
self-test. them correctly.
Error code (and description), If an error code or message
more than one beep in self-test, appears, refer to Faxback Doc. # 40495.
or continuous beep occurs.
Computer turns off without 1. If you have enabled the Standby
warning. feature, move the mouse to exit
Standby.
2. Make sure that the system unit and
monitor power cords are securely
plugged into electrical outlets.
3. Make sure that the cables are
correctly and securely connected to
they system unit.
4. Check for a blown fuse, tripped
circuit breaker, or power failure.
5. Unplug the system unit power cord
from the electrical outlet, wait 10
seconds, and then plug the power cord
back into the electrical outlet. If
the computer does not start
immediately, push the on/off button
on the system unit.
Can't enter password. 1. Make sure you are typing the correct
password.
2. Make sure the keyboard cable is
correctly and securely connected to
the keyboard port (not the mouse
port) on the back of the system unit.
Can't read information on 1. Make sure you are using the correct
diskette or CD. type of diskette. Make sure the
diskette is formatted correctly.
2. Make sure the diskette or CD is
inserted into the drive correctly.
3. Make sure the CD is clean and not
scratched.
4. Try to read a diskette or CD that you
know is good. If it works, the first
diskette or CD is damaged. If you
can't read the information on the
good diskette or CD, there may be a
problem with your diskette or CD-ROM
drive.
5. Make sure the drive power and signal
cables are securely attached to the
back of the drive.
Audio CD does not play when Make sure you have enabled AutoPlay.
inserted into CD-ROM drive. To enable AutoPlay:
1. Click on Start.
2. Select Settings and click on Control
Panel.
3. Double click on the System icon.
4. Click on the Device Manager tab.
5. Double click on CD-ROM and select the
listed CD-ROM options.
6. Click on the Settings tab.
7. Under Options, click on Auto insert
notification (a check appears in the
box).
8. Click on OK.
Can't write to diskette. 1. Make sure you are using the correct
type of diskette. Make sure that the
diskette is correctly formatted.
2. Make sure the diskette is not write-
protected.
3. Make sure you are sending information
to the correct drive.
4. Make sure there is space on the
diskette for the information. (Try
using blank, formatted diskette.)
5. Make sure the drive power and signal
cables are securely attached to the
back of the drive.
6. Make sure that the Diskette Drive
parameter is enabled in the Setup
Utility under Advanced Options,
Security Options.
Can't format diskette. 1. Make sure the diskette is not
protected.
2. Make sure you are using the correct
type of diskette.
3. Make sure the drive power and signal
cables are securely attached to the
back of the drive.
4. Make sure Diskette Drive is enabled
in the Setup Utility under Advanced
Options, Security Option.
Keyboard doesn't work or only 1. Make sure the keyboard cable is
some keys work. correctly and securely connected to
the keyboard port (not the mouse
port) on the back of the system
unit.
2. Move your fingers across the keys.
Make sure no keys are stuck.
3. Make sure you are using a screen
that allows typing. Some screens
do not.
4. Turn the system unit off, wait 10
seconds, and then turn the system
unit on again.
Mouse does not work. 1. Move the mouse onto a mouse pad and
try using it.
2. Make sure you are using a screen
that allows the use of a mouse.
Some screens do not.
3. Make sure the mouse cable is
correctly and securely connected
to the mouse port (not the keyboard
port) on the back of the system
unit.
4. Clean the mouse.
- Turn the computer off.
- Disconnect the mouse cable from
the system unit.
- Turn the mouse upside down.
Unlock the retainer on the bottom
of the mouse by turning it
counterclockwise. Now turn the
mouse right-side up, and the
retainer and the ball will drop
out.
- Using a damp cloth, wipe the
outside of the mouse and the
retainer. Be sure to wipe the
rollers inside the mouse.
- Insert the ball and retainer.
Lock the retainer by turning it
clockwise.
- Reconnect the mouse cable to the
system unit.
- Turn the system unit off, wait 10
seconds, and then turn the system
unit on again.
Modem/communications errors 1. Make sure the telephone cord is
securely connected.
2. Make sure the telephone line
works by plugging a working
telephone into the same
telephone outlet that the
computer was plugged into. Then
make sure you can place a call.
3. Make sure you are calling the
correct number, and that you are
using the correct communications
settings.
4. Make sure no one is using the
telephone while you are
communicating with another
computer.
5. If some communications programs
work but others do not, there
may be a configuration problem.
6. Make sure your modem cord is
connected to an analog telephone
line.
7. Make sure the modem adapter
card is installed correctly.
When the computer is turned on, 1. Choose Startup Options from
a picture appears indicating a the Setup Utility main menu, and
diskette should be inserted make sure that Startup devices
into drive A. are set correctly.
2. Make sure the drive power and
signal cables are securely
attached to the back of the
hard disk drive.
3. Insert the Aptiva Product
Recovery CD into the CD-ROM
drive, and restart the computer.
Printer error. 1. Make sure the printer cable is
correctly and securely connected
to the printer and to the
parallel (printer) port on the
back of the system unit.
2. Make sure the printer power cord
is securely connected to an
electrical outlet.
3. Make sure the printer is ready
for printing. (If the Ready
light is on, but not flashing,
the printer is ready.)
4. Make sure the correct printer
is selected in the software, if
required.
5. Make sure the paper and the
cartridge containing the print
material (ink, ribbon, or toner)
are loaded correctly.
6. Turn the printer and system
unit off, and wait 10 seconds.
Now turn the printer on, and
then the system unit.
7. Make sure the Parallel Port
option is not set to "Disabled"
in the Devices and I/O Ports
menu in the Setup Utility.
8. Make sure the parallel port
Operation Mode parameter is set
to a mode that matches your
printer.
9. For additional help, see the
user's guide that came with the
printer.
Solving Software Problems
Computer doesn't go into standby 1. Make sure you don't touch the
or automatically power off when mouse or keyboard, and don't
the set time has elapsed. start a program that involves
using the hard disk, such as
File Manager or a Windows 95
screen saver. These activities
make the timer start over.
2. Make sure AutoPlay is disabled.
When AutoPlay is enabled, the
system detects activity in the
CD-ROM drive and keeps the
computer from going into
Standby.
3. If the computer does not
automatically turn off, make
sure the Power Management mode
is enabled, then check the set
time parameter.
4. Allow a few minutes more than
the specified time. Windows 95
periodically accesses the hard
disk for memory swapping and
this activity resets the
Standby timer. Windows 95 might
access the hard disk for a short
time after you last touched your
computer.
You pressed the on/off on the Call your place of purchase.
system unit, but the computer
has not turned off after 5
minutes.
(km/BKL-07/18/97)