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This guide references a document called "Understanding The IBM Compatible" by DJ Elliot. This document is available on this WEB Site or by calling the Melco Telephone Support Department at 303-457-2025. This document is very useful and is recommended for anyone attempting to upgrade their computer or repair their present computer. There are many problems a computer can have. The following guide only covers a few of the most common. For further assistance, call your computer supplier or distributor.

A high majority of computer problems are conflicts caused by 2 pieces of hardware (Modems, Sound Cards, CD ROMs etc.) trying to communicate to the CPU (Central Processor Unit) on the same communications line. There are 2 types of conflicts, hardware and or software. Both hardware and software have to be configured so that no 2 devices or software are using the same communications lines. If a modem is added to a computer and errors start occurring or another part quits working, the new addition is configured incorrectly. Knowing what is already installed in a computer, and what settings all pieces are set to is very important. A program that is part of Microsoft DOS and Microsoft Windows called MSD will diagnose and display what settings are in use in a computer. Refer to your DOS manual for help to operate this program or type HELP MSD at a DOS prompt for on-line help.

Just as your automobile needs maintenance, so does a computer. By doing regular maintenance, many problems can be avoided in a computer. The following are maintenance tips to keep your computer running smoothly and with fewer errors. Please remember, all the steps in the world taken to insure no loss of data cannot prevent a piece of hardware from going bad. The best insurance against loss of data is to back up your data regularly.

MAINTENANCE TIPS:

1. Keeping your computer clean and free of lint and dust is very important. There is a fan in the back that is constantly sucking air through the computer to keep it cool. This constant running of the fan will pull lint and dust in through the front which usually has holes or a grid for air flow. Keep the fan clean and the vent holes in front free from dirt and clogs. If any of these get clogged, improper cooling occurs and failure shortly follows. As the vents in front become clogged, air starts to find other ways to enter the computer case. These paths include through your floppy drive openings, CD Rom openings etc. As more and more air is circulated through these openings, so is dirt and dust. These items will start to fail as they get full of dirt.
2. As a hard drive ages and due to manufacturing defects, hard drives develop areas that are physically unable to hold data correctly. If the bad areas are not marked as bad, the computer will try and write data to these bad areas causing loss of data and errors in program execution. When a computer has an error or locks up, data can be scrambled on your hard drive. There are many software programs that will correct these scrambled and bad areas. A DOS program called SCANDISK will do this job. SCANDISK must always be run from a DOS prompt and without Windows running. Always exit Windows when running SCANDISK. To run SCANDISK type SCANDISK and press ENTER from a DOS prompt. For help operating SCANDISK, type HELP SCANDISK and press ENTER from the DOS prompt. It is recommended to run this program at least once a month or more.
3. A hard drive will become fragmented over a period of time. Basically this means that the data stored on the drive does flow in order and there are empty spaces between areas of data due to the erasing or deleting of files. A software program that puts all of the stored data back in order is needed. There are many programs on the market that will OPTIMIZE or DEFRAGMENT a hard drive. One such program is DEFRAG that comes with Microsoft DOS. This program must always be run from the DOS prompt and without windows running. Always exit Windows before running this program. To run this program type DEFRAG and press ENTER from the DOS prompt. For help running this program, type HELP DEFRAG from the DOS prompt. It is recommended to run this program at least once a month or more.
4. More and more frequently, Melco Technical Support is finding computer VIRUSES as the cause of problems in a computer. These problems can range from errors in data to complete loss of use of the computer. A good VIRUS DETECTION program is recommended. The program that comes with DOS called MSAV is not adequate for today's VIRUSES. MSAV has not been updated since its original release and is not capable of finding and getting rid of many of today's VIRUSES. There are many good ANTI-VIRUS programs on the market today. One such program is McAfee Anti-Virus program available on the Melco BBS or in a local computer store. The version on the Melco BBS is SHAREWARE and you are allowed to use the program for 30 days after which you are required to register it. All details for operating this program and registering it are included with the file on the Melco BBS. Running a good Anti-Virus program is recommended weekly if disks from other computers are used regularly.

NO POWER:

1. Check that the power cable is plugged in correctly and the power outlet has power.
2. Check to see if the fan is running in the back of the computer. If it IS NOT running, replace the Power Supply. If the fan IS RUNNING, check if the POWER LED is coming on. If the POWER LED IS NOT coming on, replace the Power Supply. If it IS ON, remove the cover from the computer and check that all connectors and circuit boards are plugged in tightly. If all above items have been checked, refer to Melco or a qualified repair center.

COMPUTER HAS POWER, BUT NO DISPLAY:

1. Check that all cables are plugged in correctly.
2. Check that the Monitor has a Power Light on. If it does not, get the monitor replaced or repaired. (Refer to Understanding the IBM Compatible Document. Pages 24-28) If it does, the display monitor or the video printed circuit board is probably at fault. (Refer to Understanding the IBM Compatible document. Pages 24-28).

IMPROPER DISPLAY:

1. If the display is improper when first turned on, the display monitor or the video printed circuit board is probably at fault. (Refer to Understanding the IBM Compatible document. Pages 24-28).
2. If the display is proper when turned on and to a point where the computer is at a C:> prompt and then goes improper when entering Windows, check your Display Settings in the Windows Setup. (Refer to the Windows Operation Manual).
3. If the display goes improper when entering EDS2, refer to the EDS2 Troubleshooting Guide.
4. If the display is improper in any other program (refer to that programs Technical Manual).

THE COMPUTER HAS A DISPLAY, BUT WILL NOT BOOT OR GIVES THE ERROR "HDD CONTROLLER FAILURE":

1. Refer to The computer has a display but will not BOOT or CMOS Mismatch or related error messages section below and insure the Hard Drive Type is set correctly in the CMOS SETUP. If the CMOS is set correctly, the Hard Drive or associated controller is probably at fault. If this happens, turn off the power and unplug the power cord. Remove the cover of the computer and reseat or push on all connectors and circuit boards to insure they are all making a good connection. Plug the power cord back in and see if everything starts working. If this fails, put a BOOTABLE floppy disk in drive A: and reboot the computer. If the computer successfully boots up, then type C: and press ENTER. If the C:> prompt appears on the screen, type DIR and press enter. If the computer successfully does a directory listing, the problem is probably that the Hard Drive has lost the BOOT sector of the drive. To try and recover from this, a program that diagnoses hard drives is needed. If the computer is a recent model or it is using DOS 6.2 or higher, follow the procedure below. If the computer is using an earlier version of DOS, a program such as Norton Utilities will be needed. Call a local computer repair store for assistance with obtaining Norton Utilities.
2. If the computer has DOS 6.2 or higher, type CD\DOS and press ENTER. Then type SCANDISK and press enter. A Microsoft program called SCANDISK will begin to run. Follow the prompts on the screen and let SCANDISK fix any problems it may find. After successfully running SCANDISK, put the SETUP or the first disk of Microsoft DOS into the A: drive. Type A: and press ENTER. Then type SYS C: and press ENTER. If the computer says "SYSTEM TRANSFERRED", it should now BOOT without a BOOT DISK in the A: drive.
3. This next step is a last resort. If this fails, contact a local computer repair or computer supplier. Refer to The Understanding The IBM document pages (Pages 28 -35) for explanation of the controller and hard drive and how to replace them. If the computer does not transfer the system successfully, try to run FDISK from the SETUP or the first disk of Microsoft DOS and try to delete the DOS Partition. If deleting the partition is successful, create a new DOS partition utilizing the entire drive. After this step is successful, exit the FDISK program and FORMAT the C: drive by typing FORMAT C: /S from the A:> DOS prompt. ALL SOFTWARE WILL NOW HAVE TO BE RELOADED ONTO DRIVE C:.

THE COMPUTER HAS A DISPLAY, BUT WILL NOT BOOT OR CMOS MISMATCH OR RELATED ERROR MESSAGES:

1. On later models of computers, CMOS setup is built in to the computer. As the computer is booting it will normally display PRESS DEL for SETUP or similar message. After pressing the proper keys, a menu of some kind will be displayed. Different models have different menus and displays. Generally, to configure this area, some knowledge of the internal parts is needed. The DATE, TIME, MEMORY SIZE, DISKETTE DRIVES, HARD DRIVES, etc. are configured in this area. Refer to the manual for your individual computer, or call the company that supplied your computer for specific items such Hard Drive Size and Type if you are not sure. If these settings are all correct the computer should boot correctly. If this error happens on a regular basis, the CMOS BATTERY needs to be replaced. This is usually a battery of some kind located inside the computer. Refer to your individual owners manual or contact your computer supplier for a replacement.
2. On some earlier models of computers sold by Melco, the CMOS SETUP program is on a disk supplied with the original computer. This disk is usually labeled MELCO EPICOR SETUP UTILITIES DISK. After the computer is BOOTED from a floppy, put the Melco Setup Disk into the A: drive and type CD\UTIL and press enter. Then type SETUP and press enter. The same applies as to computers with built in CMOS SETUP programs. Different models have different setup programs. If you are not sure of the internal parts of the computer, call your computer supplier for assistance. If this error happens on a regular basis, the CMOS BATTERY needs to be replaced. This is usually a battery of some kind located inside the computer. Refer to your individual owners manual or contact your computer supplier for a replacement.

COMPUTER IS DISPLAYING ERRORS WHEN READING FROM THE FLOPPY DISK DRIVE(S):

1. These type of errors are usually associated with a dirty or defective floppy disk drive. A Floppy Disk Drive cleaning disk can be purchased at most local computer or office supply stores.
2. If after cleaning the drive, the errors persist, replace the floppy disk drive. Refer to your computer manual and or pages (32-33) of Understanding the IBM Compatible manual for instructions and information. Different models have different cases and may have more than one floppy drive. Basically, they all have a slot or bay that the floppy drives are mounted in. After unplugging the computer and removing the cover, locate the defective drive. Carefully remove the electrical connectors. They will pull off of the drive with a little effort. Notice the RED or BLUE stripe on the ribbon cable and which direction it is facing. The stripe is always pin 1. Most floppy drives have pin 1 marked in some way. Remove the screws securing the floppy drive in the bay and then remove the floppy drive. Insert the replacement drive and reverse the removal procedure. Make sure the correct orientation of the stripe on the ribbon cable. The power connection is always keyed and can only be connected one way.
3. If replacing the floppy drive does not fix the problem the Floppy Drive Controller is at fault. Some computer have this controller built into the Mother Board of the computer, other have a separate circuit board. All Melco sold computers have a separate circuit board. Replace this circuit board to correct the problem. In most current computers this circuit board is called a Multi I/O card and serves many functions. It will usually have the Hard Drive Controller, the Floppy Drive Controller, a Printer Port, 1 or 2 serial ports and many also have a game port. In Melco computer, the Floppy Drive controller is capable of single sided, single density reads and writes. Without this function, it will not read and write Melco formatted disks. In newer 386 and above computers sold by Melco, a Multi I/O card with the GoldStar Prime 2 chip set on it will work perfectly. Older 286 computers sold by Melco may need to be upgraded as the older type of controllers in these computers are no longer made and are very hard to find.

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