Laptop not booting up

[mithical]

Hello,

 

Not sure if you can help. My laptop won't boot up, it's a Hewlett Packard. It sounds like it is going to, then 'idles'. The lights for wi-fi and volume don't change colour, and the screen stays black. Sometimes the caps lock light flashes.

 

It has done this before, it wouldn't work for months. Then one day just came back on again.

 

Prior to the first episode we hadn't allowed Norton to do it's updates on shutdown. When it worked again there were 92 Norton updates installed, computer was secure. But on each shutdown, there was always one update. Norton say it won't be a problem connected to them.

 

Thanks

[kernel]

When their is a problem with your computer during boot, it tells you through your keyboard. Sometimes it wont let you turn your caps key and number pad key (if you have on) on, other times they wont let your turn them off or they just blink. If you could please count the # of times the caps key blinks I could find the problem.

 

When the computer wont let you turn those two keys on/off it means that the OS had a panic of some sorts and you would have to repair it with a Windows repair disk. But if it blinks it means there is a hardware problem.

Edited February 6, 2014 by kernel

[KenB]

Hi mithical - welcome to ExTS

 

1. Could you please let us know the model number of your H-P laptop please ?

 

2. kernel has asked for flash sequence of the CAPS LED - could you do this too please ?

 

3. This could be as simple as a build-up of dust.

Suggest a can of compressed air and use short blasts through the vents.

Long blasts tend to expel the propellant as a liquid.

 

4. This could also be a RAM problem.

The RAM modules are usually situated underneath a removable panel in the base of the machine.

Take them out - clean the contacts with a pencil eraser - replace just one module.

 

Try this.

 

If the machine does not boot up - try the other one by itself.

 

Let us know how you get on.

 

More information here - click here

[ obviously not your specific machine :) ]

[mithical]

Thanks for your replies.

 

It is Hewlett Packard Pavilion

Product WB330EA#ABU

Model dv6-2115sa

 

Now I want to count the flashes, the caps and number lock lights are not doing it!

 

I have 2 panels that appear to be removable. Is it the one that has a picture looking like a stack of CD's?

 

I don't have a can of compressed air at the moment.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Mithical, the stack of CD's cover will possibly be for access to the hard drive, if it has a symbol similar to an electronics chip is the usual one for the RAM.

However, although my laptop is an Acer, the RAM and the hard drive are accessed from the same cover, it may be the case with yours. You can't do any harm taking the cover off and just taking a look, though I suspect it will be the other cover, not the one with the stack of disks.

 

Sometimes the RAM modules are held in place by a spring clip either side, which you press out sideways to release the modules.

 

Nev.

[mithical]

Thanks Nev.

 

There were no flashing lights, now it is 1 blink which is CPU not working, if it does blink. It's still not every time. Is this a contact HP scenario?

 

Thanks.

Edited February 6, 2014 by mithical

[kernel]

Before contacting HP, could you remove the battery, unplug the power, and hold the power button down for 1 minute. Then reattach the power cord and start to up, on cord power. If it works, shut down and attach the battery and you should be good to go.

 

What holding the power button with no battery or power source will do is discharge all electricity in the laptop.

 

In most cases after experiencing a problem, this usually fixes it.

Edited February 6, 2014 by kernel

[mithical]

That didn't help I'm afraid. Still 1 blink and nothing. With battery back in again no blink.

 

I don't understand why it did this before, but started working again on it's own.

[KenB]

Hi,

 

This explains how to remove the RAM - click here ....... it is a PDF download

[ There are some images if you scroll down ]

 

Refer back to post #3

 

Try the RAM one at a time.

 

Most laptops have 2 RAM modules - if yours only has one then you will obviously not be able to try "them" one at a time.

Still take the time to clean the contacts and replace.

[kernel]

I just found this article http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware/Scroll-Num-Lock-and-Caps-Lock-LED-s-blinking-and-battery-not/td-p/303391/page/2 and it appears that your problem happens a lot to dv users.

 

A post made by anivid, which is 5 posts up from the bottom, says he fixed it by adjusting the RAM sticks.

 

So it does appear it is a RAM not fully plugged in scenario,

[mithical]

Thanks a lot, will read them later, when my son is in bed.