20 Most Recent Compaq Presario S6500NX (DQ181A#ABA) PC Desktop Questions & Answers

If you have a desktop computer but listing it as a laptop with a problem you will get the wrong information back to repair the unit so you need to take this out and resubmit it as the proper unit before anyone can give you the correct information!

The power supply may have gone bad. They are not hard to replace, and not too expensive.

you dont need the administrator password for a system restore, simply boot of the restore CD.. Google Windows XP password reset DISC and download and boot that disc to reset the password. I cant post a specific software here as it may be considered soliciting..

how old is your computer ? if not to old you should have multiple sata-contacts.you can*t only have one ide-contact about the the connetion yes it's possible there is adapters for it.

You may have a flat BIOS battery and the BIOS cannot keep the Date & Time setting.Install a new BIOS battery, it maybe a coin size battery type CR2032 3 volt lithuim battery the go into the BIOS and set the Date & Time etc.

Your Windows installation or operating system installation has become currupted. You will need to insert the orginal Windows disk into your computer to repair the Windows installation. If you do not have a Windows CD disk you will need to get the repair done by a computer technician.

Once the installation has been repaired your computer will work normally again.

Take care!
damnor01

I have a feeling that your CPU usage might be too high and so is the memory utiliztion. When you are playing the video open task manager and check both of these then let me know.

Several possibilities here:
Powersupply not working correctly, test with another PSU to eliminate this
Ram issue, Ram is failing under load, download a copy of memtest and run it to check for ram related issues
Video card fault. If possible, try another video card and see if this resolves the issue
Other faults and these are remote, are that the CPU heatsink is loose, the fan is working intermittently
(check and run with the side panel off), or in extrame circumstances, there is a fault on the motherboard

The video chip has died. Since it's part of the chipset it means that the entire motherboard has died and it will have to be replaced. Your pc is an old one, a new Socket A motherboard cannot be found - they went out of production at least 4 years ago so you will have to find a second hand one. One that will work in your pc
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MicroStar-MSI-MS-6378-Ver1-Socket-462-Desktop-Board-/160505805944?pt=AU_Components&hash=item255ee43c78

It is not passing post. when you first boot the computer is performs a test on memory, video, and cpu. if one of these does not function properly it will not boot. usually it is a memory problem. did you recently go into your case for any reason? check all cables, memory modules and make sure cpu is firmly seated.

Check it from here or find out from here.
All the Best!

If the Compaq doesn't power on with the Power On switch, bypass the Power On switch.
This test will also tell you whether the Power On switch is bad, or the Power Supply.

1) First I suggest you check THAT receptacle IN the surge protector, that the computer is plugged into.

I have had a few surge protectors where just THAT receptacle was bad.


"Hmmm, surge protector power on LED light is lit.
Monitor, printer, and router have power, and they're plugged into the surge protector."

Upon plugging a lamp into THAT receptacle in the surge protector, that the computer was plugged into, proved that receptacle to be bad.

2) To bypass the Power On switch:

A) If you bypass the Power On switch, and the computer turns on, (Power Supply turns on), you have a bad Power On switch.

The Power On switch is located INSIDE, the plastic Power On button.
This is an example of a generic ATX Power On switch,

http://www.directron.com/atxswitch.html

B) If you bypass the Power On switch, and the computer does not come on, the Power Supply is bad.
Replace.
This you can do yourself easily. More on this later.

You won't be touching the wires of the Power On switch.
You will be addressing the power wires in the 20-pin ATX main power cable, and it's connector.

This is a 20-pin ATX main power cable, and the connector on the end of the cable,

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#atxmain20

The Compaq Presario S6500NX uses a 20-pin ATX main power cable.

This is HP Support > Compaq Presario S6500NX desktop computer > Specifications > Motherboard Specifications,

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00063254&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&product=390429

I would like you to scroll down to the illustration of the motherboard, (Asus A7V8X-LA), and to the photo of the motherboard underneath the illustration.

{By the way. If you look at the photo of the Compaq Presario S6500NX at the top right of the page, you will see it isn't accurate. Shows the computer case to be almost square shaped. NOT}

Looking at the motherboard illustration view the Ram Memory slots.
They are marked as DDR DIMM 1 (64 bit, 184-pin module), and DDR DIMM 2 (64 bit, 184-pin module)

To the right is the 20-pin ATX main power cable connector, on the motherboard. It is marked as ATX Power Connector.

Matching it up on the photo, it is the white rectangular connector that has two columns of square socket holes.
10 socket holes per column. 20 total.

When you open your computer case, you will see the ATX main power cable plugged into this white connector.
It will look similar to the photo at the far right in the above Playtool link.

To bypass the Power On switch you will use a jumper wire, to briefly connect the Green wire, and ANY Black wire.

The Green wire is the Soft Power On wire. (PS_ON)
ANY Black wire you see is a Ground wire.

Use a paper clip straightened out, then bent into a U-shape.
The middle of the U-shape is wrapped with electrical tape.
This is where you hold the jumper wire.

The voltage is 5 Volts DC.
Two D cell flashlight batteries produce 3 Volts DC.
As you can see it isn't a large voltage at all.
You may wish to don a glove on the hand holding the jumper wire.

There may, or may not, be a spark when you make contact with the jumper wire.
Want you to feel safe.
(1 wrap of electrical tape is good enough for 600 Volts DC. Just wanted you to know. Wrap the U-shape jumper wire thick enough so it is easily held by your finger, and thumb)

The jumper wire goes down into the socket hole with the power wire. Goes down right next to the plastic insulation of the wire, and down into the socket hole.

At the end of every power wire going down into the ATX main power cable's connector, is a metal terminal connector. (Female)
The insulation of the power wire goes down into the socket hole pretty deep.

You need to ensure that the jumper wire touches the metal terminal. The jumper wire has to go down in the socket hole until it touches the metal terminal connector.

On end of the jumper wire goes down in the Green wire's socket hole.
The other end of the wire goes down into ANY Black wire's socket hole.

The contact is brief. Works on the same principle as the Power On switch.
The Power On switch is a Momentary Contact Switch.
Touch for no more than two seconds, lift the jumper wire out of the socket holes.

Computer comes on?
Bad Power On switch.

Computer does not come on?
Bad Power Supply.

The Power Supply used in a Compaq Presario S6500NX is an ATX power supply.
(It's also a SMPS if you want to get technical.
Switched-Mode Power Supply)

Uses the ATX Form Factor.
The form factor used by MANY personal computers.
Very readily available.

[ATX Form Factor for a Power Supply's case, is the size, and shape of the case.
Approximately 6 inches Long, 6 inches Wide, and 3-1/2 inches Tall]

It's a 250 Watt power supply, and is a generic unit.
Probably made by Bestec, Delta, or the like.
Maximum rate Wattage is stated at 250 Watts.
Actual maximum wattage for a Power Supply made in this time period, is more like 60 to 70 percent of what is stated.
150 Watts to 175 Watts.

The power cables needed will be supplied with the new Power Supply's.
New power supply's have an ATX main power cable that can be used as a 20-pin ATX main power cable, or a 24-pin ATX main power cable.

They will also come with a 4-pin ATX +12 Volt power cable.
(Usually described by the seller as a P4 12V power cable, or P4 MB)

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#atx12v4

This is one example of a Power Supply that has enough Wattage, correct Form Factor, and correct power cables,

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1621514&CatId=1078

Information on how to replace a Power Supply,

1) http://www.fonerbooks.com/r_power.htm

2) http://support.gateway.com/support/manlib/cmponts/process/8508750/08750c01.htm

From me:
Power unplugged from computer, be SURE to follow Anti-Static Precautions BEFORE reaching inside a computer.

Anti-Static Precautions:
Your body carries Static electricity.
Static will fry out (Short Circuit) the hardware components inside a computer.

To relieve your body of Static:
Computer unplugged from power, computer case open, TOUCH the metal frame of the open computer case.

If you get up, and walk away from your computer in the middle of working on it, be SURE to touch the metal frame again upon your return.

For questions please post in a Comment.

I would suggest before you do anything you have the DSL provider come and check the line and equipment to verify it is working ok. Then if it is all ok, then you would probably need to replace your network card.

here is the link to get the driver you need. if you don't see it in the list try the utlilty download.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareList?os=228&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=390429&lang=en

The other way is to remove the BIOS battery and let it stand for 20 plus minutes, then insert the BIOS battery back into the computer. The BIOS settings will then be returned to the factory default settings, you then need to go into the BIOS setting and change the Date and Time setting.

CHECK THE HARD DISK

Last time I checked you could still get the Restoration Disk, for your HP computer. (Or Compaq, since HP bought out Compaq)

Did you go to HP Support, and click on Contact Us, in the upper left corner of the page?

After you do so, you will be taken to a page that offers you options of contacting them. I advise using the Call option. Nice to speak to a human being!
http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/contact/phone_assist.html
1-800-474-6836

I would have the serial number for your computer handy. This is either on the back of a Desktop computer, (Next to the Windows Product Key), or up on the side of the computer case.

It's on the bottom of a laptop, in the white Service Tag (s/n is Serial Number)

The last time I called for a Restoration Disk for a Compaq computer from them, it was free. The shipping and handling was not.
$17 for a 5 to 7 day ship, $24 for a 2 to 3 day ship.

The Restoration Disk just has the needed basic Windows files necessary to repair the registry. After you install the disk, you may need to go into BIOS Setup, then to Boot Options, and set the first boot device to CDROM. Sometimes Windows is a 'funny animal', and you have to force it to see the Restoration Disk.

After the computer has booted off of the Restoration Disk, I suggest you click on -> Repair, when the option comes up.

Clicking on Fresh Install, will wipe your harddrive of any downloaded, (or installed by you), programs and applications. It will also wipe off anything have in your My Documents folder. (My Pictures, My Music, My Videos, and documents)

you have no internet connection?

sounds if you need to configure your modem

for the flashing light on modem is trying to connect to a network

would need your login data from ISP to configure modem, best is to call them and have your modem manual handy an pen and paper to write down info

hi there,

yes it still can be fix. you have to change or replace the harddisk drive of your unit, you need to replace it to make your computer work again..

hope this helps.

let me know for further assistance.