HP dx7500 - Microtower PC Service & Reference Manual page 162

Table C-1 Solving General Problems (continued)
There is no sound or sound volume is too low.
Cause
System volume may be set low or muted.
Poor performance is experienced.
Cause
Processor is hot.
Hard drive is full.
Low on memory.
Hard drive fragmented.
Program previously accessed did not release reserved
memory back to the system.
Virus resident on the hard drive.
Too many applications running.
Some software applications, especially games, are stressful
on the graphics subsystem
Cause unknown.
152 Appendix C Troubleshooting Without Diagnostics
Solution
1. Check the F10 BIOS settings to make sure the internal
system speaker is not muted (this setting does not affect
the external speakers).
2. Make sure the external speakers are properly connected
and powered on and that the speakers' volume control is
set correctly.
3. Use the system volume control available in the operating
system to make sure the speakers are not muted or to
increase the volume.
Solution
1. Make sure airflow to the computer is not blocked. Leave
a 10.2-cm (4-inch) clearance on all vented sides of the
computer and above the monitor to permit the required
airflow.
2. Make sure fans are connected and working properly
(some fans only operate when needed).
3. Make sure the processor heatsink is installed properly.
Transfer data from the hard drive to create more space on the
hard drive.
Add more memory.
Defragment hard drive.
Restart the computer.
Run virus protection program.
1. Close unnecessary applications to free up memory.
2. Add more memory. Some applications run in the
background and can be closed by right-clicking on their
corresponding icons in the task tray. To prevent these
applications from launching at startup, go to Start >
Run (Windows XP) or Start > Accessories > Run
(Windows Vista) and type msconfig. On the Startup tab
of the System Configuration Utility, clear applications that
you do not want to launch automatically.
1. Lower the display resolution for the current application or
consult the documentation that came with the application
for suggestions on how to improve performance by
adjusting parameters in the application.
2. Add more memory.
3. Upgrade the graphics solution.
Restart the computer.