My Vista won't boot past HP startup screen

[zwolfy]

Hello

I have a HP Touchsmart iq500 series. When I push the power button, it turns on and instantly goes to the HP welcome screen. After then...Nothing. I can't even get into the bios. All USB devices are unplugged except mouse and keyboard. No matter how many times I press F8 or F11 and all those other commands, it doesn't load. It completely freezes, but the fans work when I hit the power button. Restoring is not an option because all my valuable files are on there. I have tried resetting the cmos battery too. Nothing seems to be working.

Is there any possible way to fix this. I don't want to send it in cause they might change hard drives and thus eliminate my files. Plus I heard they are no help anyway. Please help me fix it, I know you guys can help

[Plastic Nev]

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help.

Unfortunately if your keyboard and mouse are both USB, you will not be able to get into much, you need a PS2 connection for the keyboard at least to get into the BIOS, can you get hold of either a USB to PS2 adapter or borrow a keyboard that can connect to the PS2 port. presuming it has one.

if we can get into BIOS or Safemode we can perhaps advise further.

Edited to add, I have only now looked at your machine, is the keyboard wireless? if so have you either replaced or recharged the batteries in both the keyboard and mouse?

 

Nev.

[Tootech]

Nev - I'm not 100% sure but I don't think these units have PS2 ports - I set one up a while ago and the keyboard/mouse are wireless.

 

There may be a hardware fault, and looking at these machines they are not easy to work on. Is it under warranty? If so, the link below will not be much use.

 

If your data is important to you, and there is no warranty you may be able to remove the hard drive before sending it for repair. There is a disassembly guide for your machine at the following link it is a direct download link.

 

http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/globalcitizenship/environment/productdata/Countries/_MultiCountry/disassembly_deskto_2008940645.pdf

 

If it is under warranty please don't attempt disassembly.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Tootech, thanks. I only saw the spec after writing in a hurry first, hence the edit about checking batteries. From the pictures I saw it looks a bit awesome to dismantle.

[zwolfy]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies.

Unfortunately, the USB slots in my computer don't seem to work. I plugged in my iphone charger and nothing happened so I had to assume that it didn't work for any USB device (except Keyboard and mouse). Both keyboard and mouse batteries are working and full. My computer is under warrenty but I'm not planning on changinging it out. Is there any hope for saving my files? Maybe I can take the hard drive out and connect it to another computer and check for errors. Is that possible? Do you guys think I should open it up? I am willing to if need be

 

Both my keyboard and mouse work from a USB slot at the back of my computer, do you think it will work if I try the USB to PS2 cable in there? The mouse will become inactive, but I doubt I'll need it in BIOS. Will just any keyboard work with my computer?

~Zwolfy

[Tootech]

I'm confused

 

Both my keyboard and mouse work from a USB slot at the back of my computer

 

Both keyboard and mouse batteries are working and full

 

As far as I am aware, and I have checked this morning, the keyboard and mouse are wireless and have batteries, and there is a small receiver on the back of the unit. The first quote confuses me - do you mean you have an extra keyboard and mouse that have USB connectors? and they don't work either?

 

Don't know about the PS2 to USB adapter, sometimes they work, sometimes they don't.

 

If you are handy with a screwdriver you can remove the hard drive, copy your data onto a different PC, replace it and send it off under warranty. Just be aware if the potential problems of opening up a machine under warranty.

 

I found a better guide to dissassembly and it does show how to remove the hard drive.

 

Also, have a look at the link to a USB hard drive adapter which would allow you to easily copy your data to another PC.

 

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01490909.pdf

 

Plexus USB to IDE & SATA Adapter With Power Adapter (Supports 2.5" / 3.5" IDE & Serial ATA Hard Disk) - Ebuyer

[sun7142]

Hi zwolfy,

 

I have exactly same problem like yours. My computer does not even start BIOS. I opened the cover and changed a battery on the motherboard hoping that it could resolve the problem, but the problem isn't solved. When I hit F10 or ESC after power on, the screen shows "Loading Setup..." or "Entering Setup...". But after that change, nothing happens. I am not sure whether USB keyboard can make difference. I am really frustrated... Any help or advice?

[zwolfy]

Let me see if I can explain in a better way, I have 5 USB slots on my computer. 4 of them are regular USB slots, the fifth one is at the back of the computer made especially for keyboard and mouse. The 5th one for keyboard and mouse is working while the other four are not. The reason I know the keyboard is working is because I will press F10 at startup and "Entering Setup" appears but it never goes past the startup screen. It just freezes. I hope that made sense.

 

I will attempt to take the hard drive out (I'm scared) from the link you gave me. Should I use those anti static gloves? Where can I get a pair? and once I take the hard drive out, is there any special wire I need to connect it to my other computer?

[zwolfy]

Hi zwolfy,

 

I have exactly same problem like yours. My computer does not even start BIOS. I opened the cover and changed a battery on the motherboard hoping that it could resolve the problem, but the problem isn't solved. When I hit F10 or ESC after power on, the screen shows "Loading Setup..." or "Entering Setup...". But after that change, nothing happens. I am not sure whether USB keyboard can make difference. I am really frustrated... Any help or advice?

 

Did you try unplugging all USB and then trying to turn it on? If that doesnt work, your in the same boat as me. I'm going to attempt to take my hard drive out and connect it to my laptop. Are you worried about your files or do you just want your computer working again? If you want your files, you can do the same as me, or if you just want your computer working again, you can send it to the company and have them put in a new hard drive. I know, it's very hard, I'm frustrated too.

[sun7142]

Did you try unplugging all USB and then trying to turn it on? If that doesnt work, your in the same boat as me. I'm going to attempt to take my hard drive out and connect it to my laptop. Are you worried about your files or do you just want your computer working again? If you want your files, you can do the same as me, or if you just want your computer working again, you can send it to the company and have them put in a new hard drive. I know, it's very hard, I'm frustrated too.

 

I am exactly in the in the same boat as you. The computer has so many important files... Even worse I think my warranty is already expired. I am not sure how come the computer doesn't last even two years. I am very frustrated with the quality of the computer... Please keep me updated if you find any solution.

[Tootech]

Zwolfy - you do need to be careful of static, before you start work make sure your PC is switched off at the mains, but not unplugged. Touch a metal part of the computer unit that is part of the chassis. Any static you carry will dissipate through the earth connection in the plug. Thats all you need to do for the purposes of hard drive removal.

 

To connect your drive to another computer - laptop or tower, buy one of these or similar

 

Plexus USB to IDE & SATA Adapter With Power Adapter (Supports 2.5" / 3.5" IDE & Serial ATA Hard Disk) - Ebuyer

 

It will power your drive, comes with an adapter that connects to your drive and has a USB connector on the other end. That means you can connect it all up, plug into a USB port on another computer and copy all your files.

[Plastic Nev]

Sun 7142, Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help, if it turns out that none of this is any help to you, can you please start another new thread, outline all of your problems in it, and we can then help you from there.

[sun7142]

Hi Zwolfy,

 

I am wondering whether you were able to copy your files to another computer. I took off the hard drive and connect it to another computer, but it does not recgonize the hard drive. I am afraid that the hard drive isn't working, which means I cannot get my files Please let me know if you had any luck.

[zwolfy]

Hey guys, sorry for the late reply (School started).

This is an update, I ordered the wire, but it is not here yet. I succeeded in taking apart my touchsmart with the instructions on the website, but I'm still waiting for the USB to IDE and SATA to be delivered.

 

(Tootech, Plastic Nev)- Thankyou again for helping, I'll post when the wire arrives so you can help me further.

 

sun7142-I haven't got the chance to try it yet, when I do, I'll update you on it. The wire should be here soon. UPS gets slower everyday

[zwolfy]

Hey guys, sorry for the late reply, my mom had to take the laptop for a while.

 

Anyway, I got the cable and tried it only to run into another problem. I can't figure out how to run my hardrive in slave mode. My hard drive doesn't have a jumper pin. Do I have to buy one seperate for this model? Is this hard drive supposed to come with a jumper pin? I've gone through my computers manual and can't find anything.

My hard drive model is seagate barracuda 7200.11

[Plastic Nev]

Hi again, that Barracuda 7200_11 drive is SATA, so does not even have that function of slave. Only the older IDE drives needed that.

If you connect the drive using that cable to your working computer, the working machine should tell you a Mass storage device has been connected, you should then be able to hunt for and find the file you want, in exactly the same way you would if you were using a flash or pen drive.

If however the working computer does not recognise the drive at all, I am afraid the drive may be duff.

In that case, it may need professional file rescue, which would cost.

Tootech, or other members may have a bit more information for you should it turn out the drive is duff.

Nev.

[xmp55]

Hello

I have a HP Touchsmart iq500 series. When I push the power button, it turns on and instantly goes to the HP welcome screen. After then...Nothing. I can't even get into the bios. All USB devices are unplugged except mouse and keyboard. No matter how many times I press F8 or F11 and all those other commands, it doesn't load. It completely freezes, but the fans work when I hit the power button. Restoring is not an option because all my valuable files are on there. I have tried resetting the cmos battery too. Nothing seems to be working.

Is there any possible way to fix this. I don't want to send it in cause they might change hard drives and thus eliminate my files. Plus I heard they are no help anyway. Please help me fix it, I know you guys can help

 

buddy.. i got home yesterday, hit the power button on my HP TouchSmart IQ500.. SAME PROBLEM you got with yours!!

Nothing i tried get's it goin! DID u ever fix yours!?

talk to me buddy....

[garciaayra]

Going nuts

 

OMG!!!

 

I just had the same problem last night. tried loading my Touchsmart crap PC and it wont log on. I am ready to fling it against a wall. I have tried everything but have no luck.:confused:

I also have all my files in it and cant afford to lose them. I am out of answers can anyone...Please help?????

 

Thank you

Completly hopeless

[xmp55]

yeah dude! mine's still down! i contacted HP Help support.. They have no idea what happened to mine.. they told me just take it in to your local Computer store and have it repaired cause they don't know wtf...

Now what??

sounds like this PC needs to be recalled..

it's still out of commission!

My NEW HP is OUT OF COMMISSION and there's nothing they can do about it!

[jpmanz]

...I think I may have an answer for you...

 

A friend of mine from work recently brought me her bricked HP IQ500 that seemed to exhibit similar symptoms. On power up it wouldn't hardly make it past the POST before the screen would go blank. No POST beeps, etc. After booting into the BIOS and trying to change some settings, the screen blanked on me again... this was my first, best clue. I had seen the hard drive and cd drive were detected properly by the BIOS and nothing else seemed out of place (reseated memory, etc.).

 

Anyway, long story short, after a complete dissasembly and physical inspection, I noticed that one of the transformers on the power inverter (which drives the display ;) ) had a burnt pin (probably due to weak solder joint breaking, then arching til nicely toasted). I soldered in a jumper wire between the remaining portion of the damaged pin on the transformer and the adjacent capacitor... a quick power on with the unit still mostly dissasembled confirmed my handy-work was a success ;)

 

I know it may sound like a lot of work, but it cost me next to nothing (other than a couple hours of my time). Hope that helps some of you guys... or you could always try to find a replacement inverter... the part number on the one I was working on was:

 

Darfon Electronic Corp.

P/N 4H.V1561.051 / C1

Or

Model V156-501

[DSTM]

Any of you got McAfee? It may be the result of their bad update.

Just a thought.:)

[cj_sharp]

HP Touchsmart hangs on boot - fix

 

Hello everyone,

My sister has one of these computers, and it was exhibiting the same symptoms: 1) it would stay on the blue HP screen continuously, and 2) no matter what key was pressed, it would say "Entering setup...." or other similar message, and it would seem to be frozen at the HP screen yet again.

 

Her computer has been in this state for about 4 months. Just yesterday, I found out what the deal is. I disassembled the computer down to the MB and drives, per HP's instructions. I tried resetting the CMOS/PASSWORD jumpers, same thing. Well that's when I decided to remove the HDD and hook it up to my laptop with one of those USB~SATA adapters. The laptop would not see the drive. I tried many times, and many different methods to try to get the USB adapter to work. It wouldn't work. So, then I thought "Ok, maybe I'll hook it up directly to the motherboard of another computer." Same thing here, the BIOS wasn't able to detect the drive. On a haunch, I went over to the HP Touchsmart again; carefully lifted it up and powered it on without the hard drive. Guess what: in about four seconds, it went past the blue HP screen and I was able to go into the BIOS!!!!! Now I know that the problem is with the hard drive, and not the computer.

 

Her computer came standard with a Seagate ST3500620AS

Turns out there Seagate was having alot of problems with the firmware on these drives. I came across this link: Re: READ THIS | If your model 7200.11 Seagate Barracuda driv... - HP Support Forum

 

If data recovery is your number one priority, you will have to buy some parts and be a little technically savvy to get this working. I haven't tried this yet myself, but I have the parts on order, and will update once I have them.

 

Here is the process:

The Solution for Seagate 7200.11 HDDs - MSFN Forums

 

Kudos to Gradius2 and Doon of the other forums for finding/developing this method of recovery. Hope this helps :cool:

[Felix]

jpmanz, you have it.

I work a lot-A LOT-with the IQ series, and the 500 appears to be the worst.

 

The symptom you describe, is seen quite often, and eventually, as HP has no Maintenance and Service guide, created one of my own, by taking step-by-step photos of one I disassembled.

 

You have to admit, though, that re-assembling one is quite the challenge!

[cj_sharp]

The Seagate HDD is to blame

 

Hello everyone,

 

This is a follow up from my previous post....

 

After waiting a couple of weeks for the parts to arrive from Hong Kong, I decided it was time to take a stab at fixing the BSY error. I set everything up, as described; went carefully through the procedure. The end result: I now have a drive that works, with ALL data intact!! :D

 

The entire process took about 45 minutes to setup, and 15 minutes to perform the procedure.

 

Conclusion: 1) If you have an HP Touchsmart IQ 5xx series computer, and 2) upon power-up, it gets stuck on the blue HP screen continuously (for hours, maybe even days) Then, this is your solution.

 

A big "THANK YOU," to everyone who gave their contributions :)

[TAMBOOJOE]

What is the fix, because my computer is oig the same thing?