When I press the laptop power button, the power and hard drive lights flash on, then shut off immediately

I’m trying to fix my parents HP Compaq nx9005 laptop.
When you press the power button, the power, and hard drive lights flash on, then shut off immediately (doesn’t even last a second). The power light will also remain off until the reset button is pressed again, or you unplug the AC adaptor, then plug it back in. Once it has been reset the power light blinks with an amber glow (with the battery out).
I’ve tried this with and without the battery. I’ve tried it without the hard drive. I’ve switched the RAM in various combinations. I’ve tried connecting the laptop directly to my desktop monitor. Same result every time. I’m guessing it’s an internal electrical problem, but I’m not very experienced with laptops as opposed to desktops. Any suggestions what to troubleshoot next? Thanks in advance!

First of all, make sure that the AC adapter is working properly. Ideally, I would try to replace the adapter with a test one but if you don’t have it at least check the voltage on your adapter. It’s not the best way to test the adapter with a multimeter. I’ve seen some failing adapters with good voltage readings. A bad AC adapter would be an easy fix for you.
Just recently I had a similar problem with Compaq nx5000 notebook. I was able to turn on the computer, but it shut down after a few seconds (your notebook shuts off immediately) and the video never appeared on the screen. I tried to troubleshoot all basic stuff, as you did. I removed the hard drive, battery, DVD drive, wireless card, replaced the memory module but nothing helped. Finally, when I was checking all internal connection, I discovered that the notebook works fine with an external monitor attached when the LCD screen is disconnected from the motherboard. By the way, this connector is located under the keyboard strip – a piece of plastic just above the keyboard. As soon as I connected the LCD cable back to the motherboard, the laptop didn’t start. So, I took the display assembly apart and found that the video cable wasn’t seated properly in the connector on the back of the screen. The problem was fixed as soon as I plugged the video cable back in.
I’ve posted my discovery on another website and a week later one guy was able to fix exactly the same problem with his Compaq nx5000 notebook after he reseated the video cable.
I don’t know how comfortable you are with taking apart laptops but I think that this information could be useful for you.


 

141 Responses to “When I press the laptop power button, the power and hard drive lights flash on, then shut off immediately”

Pages: [5] 4 3 2 1 » Show All

  1. 141
    jack Says:

    hi,what happen of my laptop hp c300 the motherboard is rainning but not display,how to do,tq

  2. 140
    Emmanuel Says:

    When I switch on my hp compaq nc6000 laptop, the fan whir the an orange comes on after some time it goes with the fan stop whirring and the computer wont switch. Please can u help me.

  3. 139
    jaz Says:

    my Dell Inspiron 600m shuts off soon after it starts ‘ so either battery or power is shot
    how do I determine cause? It’s 5 yrs old so could be need of internal power supply system
    not worth repairing ?

  4. 138
    richa Says:

    I’m trying to fix my Compaq nx5000 laptop.
    When I press the power button, the power, and hard drive lights flash on, then shut off immediately (doesn’t even last a second). It makes some noise of switching on and then switches off again…But sometimes after continuous effort it does switch on.
    I have tried every possible solution but in vain… I’m guessing it’s an internal electrical problem, but I’m not very experienced with laptops . Any suggestions what to troubleshoot next? I had taken it to one of the shops,they said it is bg ic chip problem…which needs a replacement..but i just wanted to confirm…

  5. 137
    frankie68 Says:

    i tried the docking system for the sp6100 also with no result :( (

  6. 136
    frankie68 Says:

    hi everybody..

    thanx to this site i fixed several dell c640 from the shutdown problem by replacing the u45 chip..

    now i have here a toshiba sp6100
    with powerup problem
    i plug in the charger=> the first led is green..
    when i push the button=> he gives it a try , and starts orange
    flashing..
    i think it’s a short circuit..but where?
    it’s not the videocard cause i lifted that of for the test
    not memory either
    maybe the 80pins connector on the board? cause the sp6100 he’s notorius about that..
    or is it a fuse or ic issue like the dells ?
    or a resistor?

    thanks

    of that

  7. 135
    arri_zoso Says:

    i have a sony vaio pcg v505ec, it cant turned on!
    the indicator of ac power adaptor is lighted up, but when i slide the power button to turn it on, nothing happen!
    the power led just lighted up for less than one second and then nothing happen..
    i’ve try to release the baterry and only use power from the adapator, but it still not working..

    help me please anybody!

  8. 134
    alfredo Says:

    hi, i have dropped by accident my dell inspiron 1501 laptop and now won`t go on at all.after i push the power button it look like it want to start ,the light goes on for one second,the fan start for about the same, and then it goes off .i `ve tryed to remove the battery ,ut so far no luck.I also try to open but i was unsuccessful,could figure out how to open .Do you think is gone? thank you in advance

  9. 133
    Harry Says:

    Hi Freak (and all others)
    Harry here, long time no talk to, Been really buzy. Anyways thought this link from HP NC6000 “no boot” might catch your interest. (Yes I’m the Harry in this link LOL). This particular chip is used in alot of machines AND MODELS besides HP and have found that this IS the problem to many of the on / then off problems.
    Just a FYI
    Harry

    http://forums.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/bizsupport/questionanswer.do?threadId=1046903

  10. 132
    solrac Says:

    ok i have a Toshiba satellite a215-s7414 and i was in the middle of flashing the bios and it froze so i hard reset it and now it wont start.the processor fan spins the dvd drive opens and closes but the LCD screen is blank and even when i connect a external monitor still nothing iam hoping you can really assist me looking forward to a reply or email.bless

  11. 131
    jay Says:

    my laptop screen fades to black with the a/c adapter plugged in. it works fine on battery. i tried replacing the a/c adapter and that didn’t solve the problem. any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

    jay

  12. 130
    Laptop Freak Says:

    Dmitriy,

    My Compaq Presario C502US fell down and doesn’t work anymore.

    Try reconnecting internal components.
    Make sure the memory module is seated correctly.
    Try reseating the processor.

    In order to start any laptop, you need three major components: motherboard (with video card), CPU and memory.

    If CPU or memory makes bad connection with the motherboard, your laptop will not start. So make sure to check these components first.

  13. 129
    Amir Says:

    Hi,
    I have solved this problem.Guess what??
    Of course ! I changed the motherboard its working fine.I spend $145 on ebay to buy this motherboard.

  14. 128
    Dmitriy Says:

    The same story. My Compaq Presario C502US fell down and doesn’t work anymore. Hey Vincent or Amir if you find the answer please post it here, please.

  15. 127
    jojo Says:

    Usako…
    how about your c300’s laptop? it working properly?
    i’ve a problem like u as below. i don’t know what to do. i’ve try what others suggest…

    “I have a compaq presario c300 notebook. It was running on ac adapter. My cousin unplugs the power surge it was plugged into. Her computer and my laptop turned off. She plugs it back and her computer turns back on. My doesn’t. I try turning it on but all I get is a flashing orange light on the power button. The scree is completely black…”

  16. 126
    chris Says:

    well i know by now someone has had enough and had this problem fixed by a tech.
    so it would be nice if that someone would share the info. with others so we all can bennfit from the knowledge.

  17. 125
    Amir Says:

    I have the exact same problem as Vincent in comapq preserio c500.Orange power light flickering. When try to reset by holding power switch for 30 sec and inserting battery and connecting adaptor fans starts for a second and again light flickering starts.

    Hey Vincent if you find the answer please post it here.

    Thanks

  18. 124
    Sonali Says:

    Model: Compaq Presario C303NR

    Issue: Won’t boot/start up. Total black screen. Fan makes a whirring sound, the machine makes what I consider standard “I’m going to start up now” sounds, then goes silent. The screen remains black the whole time.

    What I’ve tried. I did the steps listed on that page.

    I’m wondering if I didn’t reseat the memory correctly. I thought there were only 2 slots and they were both occupied, so I reseated them into their original slots, rather than moving either to an empty slot. I don’t recall seeing an empty slot.

    Perhaps, I should investigate further?

    The warranty is expired on this machine and HP charges an absurd fee for repairs. Thoughts on how to proceed?

    Thanks!
    Sonali

  19. 123
    Dave Waz Says:

    Sorted it from here ftp://ftp.packardbell.com/pub/itemnr/7416740000/Scorpion_Disassembly_Manual.pdf

    Just didnt look hard enough!

    Hope others may find useful. Cheers

    Easynote GN45

  20. 122
    Dave Waz Says:

    Hi, I have a Packard Bell EasyNote GN Skype Edition with the exactly the same issue as the original thread.

    Could anyone advise how I remove the LCD and Keyboard?!

    Dont want to force it and cannot see anything when I’ve searched for it.

    Thanks David

  21. 121
    David Surgenor Says:

    Hi, any help on my meesage from August22nd, ‘DaveSurge’. Think that the motherboard may be knackered?

    Cheers

    David

Pages: [5] 4 3 2 1 » Show All

Leave a Reply