[Solved] Laptop froze and now getting black screen on startup

[Marwolf]

This is an HP Pavillion dv6 and think the OS is Windows Vista ultimate.

 

I was browsing the Internet when the screen froze. I tried pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del to restart but this wasn't responding so held down the power button for 3 seconds to turn off. However since then it won't reboot properly. There is power and the soft keys light up but am just Getting a black screen, not even a cursor. Have noticed a light by the caps lock and above the scroll button flashing so not sure what this means? Have tried removing battery and mains power and left overnight but still the same problem this morning.

 

Prior to this occurring have noticed that it gets very hot, could it have simply overheated?

 

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, we are overseas at the moment so do not have any restore disks.

[KenB]

Hi and welcome to ExTS

 

Try taking the battery out and using just mains power.

Do you get anything on screen now?

 

Try it with battery alone ( no mains lead )

 

If still a problem ....... switch on and constantly tap F8 about once per second.

Can you get to the Startup Options ?

If so - try "Last Known Good Configuration" first then "Safe Mode" if no joy with L-K-G-C

 

Let me know the results.

[Marwolf]

Hi Ken

Thanks for your quick response.

 

Have tried both without battery/mains only and with battery/no mains but doesn't make any difference. Also just tried your suggestion of tapping F8 for about a minute but that had no response.

 

As mentioned, the lights come on and can hear the fan running but a completely blank (black) screen, no startup menu or safe mode appears, not even a random cursor. Do the lights flashing by caps lock and scroll keys mean anything?

[Marwolf]

Also, have tried plugging in an external screen but no joy there either

[KenB]

Hi

 

Take a look here ( saves typing :) )

click here

 

You are interested in the LED flash sequence ( scroll down the page )

Does this give a hint as to what is going on ?

 

Also:

Try taking the RAM modules out completely ( they will be under a panel in the base of the laptop )

Switch on.

Anything on screen now ?

If yes - shut down and put just one module in and try this.

Try the other if no go with the first module.

[Marwolf]

Thank you, the information provided was really helpful. The flashing LEDs indicated a Bios corruption failure but was a bit unsure how to update Bios while still not functioning. However, the tried removing both RAM modules as suggested and put the first one back in and it successfully started up. Replaced the second and back to the original problem. So I guess I need to replace this component. Is it safe to use the laptop in the meanwhile with just one RAM module?

[KenB]

The RAM module that is causing the problem needs to be replaced. ( there are different types - make sure you get the right one )

It has died a very quiet death :)

 

Don't bother with the BIOS - I suspect that the problem lies totally with the RAM module.

 

Is it safe to use the laptop in the meanwhile with just one RAM module?

Yes - no problem.

You may find that the machines runs a little slower than usual - but at least it is running :)