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.
September 28th, 2008 at 7:43 am
>Did you try turning it on from A/C with the battery removed?
Yes. When the a/c adapter is connected the charge light flickers. When you hit the power switch the power switch led flickers then stops and the mute button led flickers.
>Try reconnecting the memory module, move it into the empty slot.
Did as well as used proven tested memory. Same effect either way.
I also took the unit apart, checked the motherboard thoroughly by eye and found no obvious signs of defect. Also took it out of the case and powered on same results. BTW thanks for the help!
September 27th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Vincent,
Did you try turning it on from A/C with the battery removed?
This part or your description sounds like a problem with the memory module. Try reconnecting the memory module, move it into the empty slot.
This part of the descriptions sounds like a possible problem with the motherboard.
September 27th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Anyone have any idea on my comment above about my Compaq C500 that won’t boot?
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:45 am
Thanks. I have tried the ram trick several times… but because you suggested it i attempted it again. I am still having no luck. I have seen that the problem is most likely with the motherboard which means most likely i wont be able to fix it. The motherboards i found were overly priced. I do appreciate the help.
September 22nd, 2008 at 11:33 pm
I have a Compaq Presario C500 (C502US) laptop that refuses to boot. When I plug my a/c adapter in, the laptop charging LED flashes rapidly, in what I believe to be a pattern of some sorts. If I do a reset on it (by unplugging the adapter, holding down the power button for 30 secs and then inserting the battery and then re-plugging the a/c jack in) the computer will make a noise, which is the fan coming on for a sec or two and then it shuts off (no video signal). No post. The charging led flickers again.
If the a/c adapter is plugged in, and I hit the power button, the power button led flashes on top of the laptop and then the mute button flashes too.
We tested the jack and a/c adapter w/an Ohm meter.
September 22nd, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Ty,
1. Try reseating the RAM module.
2. If you have two RAM modules, try removing them one by one and test the laptop with each one separately.
3. If you have one RAM module, try replacing it with another known good one.
If reseating, replacing RAM module doesn’t help, most likely your problem is related to the motherboard and it has to be replaced.
September 22nd, 2008 at 6:38 am
I have a Toshiba Satellite A135 that is having issues. It will turn on but nothing happens. The power ac connection and activity light will light up, also the power light but i get no video. I have tried several things seeming as all people on this site have such as removing battery, hard drive memory in several different configurations and cd rom. The only change i get is when i removed the battery i get a small fan noise but nothing else. I have tried an external monitor but nothing is seeming to work. Please if someone can assist it would be much appreciated. Ty
August 22nd, 2008 at 4:00 am
Hi
I am having problems with my HP dv6000 laptop and could do with some help. The machine will not power on having been absolutely fine previously before being sent into standby. When I press the power button the lights all flicker, sometimes the fan will start for a second, 2 at most, and occasionally the dvd drive will attempt to initialize (longer activity if a disk is present). The power lights etc are all as normal when the the ac adapter is plugged in. I have tried removing all the components ie ram dvd network card etc to no avail. I am running out of ideas as to what it may be.
I came accross others having a similar problem as myself but they were able to boot their laptops using the quickplay shortcut key on the laptop. I have tried this and get the same results as before except on one occassion when after months of nothing a screen appeared but not a normal booting screen, one like dos asking me to select f10 etc to enter setup. Having read others solutions I pressed control alt delete to reset and boot to windows but this then reverted the machine to its dead status. These people solved their problems by replacing the power button board and so I have ordered one, however feel my symptoms are different due to quickplay not working.
Update: The power button no longer fuctions at all.
Also just to note, HP have issued a warranty extension due to a faulty bios causing some of the symptoms I have described, however my model/serial number are not included in this.
Sorry for the lengthy email but I wished to give you as much info as possible and I have been trying every angle I can see for months. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I really need this laptop !
Thanks in advance,
David
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:57 pm
I am having a similar problem. My toshiba laptop shut down all of a sudden and when I went to turn it on, the blue light shined for about 5 seconds then went away. The computer didn’t turn on at all. I tried with the AC adaptor in and out. I really hope you can help. Thanks.
July 19th, 2008 at 2:39 am
My IBM ThinkPad A22m shuts off itself while booting. I observed if it is in bois settings mode, it remains on, as long as I keep it in that mode. But, when I try to boot it, it intiates the booting and goes OFF. Please suggest. Thanks.
June 20th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
I’ve read through the comments posted above, but I’m still feeling insecure about the problem with my laptop. Just yesterday, I noticed that even though the power adapter was plugged in, it showed that the laptop was running on battery power. After noticing that, I unplugged the battery to see if the laptop would run on just the adapter; it turns out that it doesn’t. I’m pretty convinced the problem is the power adapter, but I noticed that there was electricity running through it. When I continued using the laptop, the power eventually dropped down to 5%, and stayed like that for another 30 minutes, before it abruptly shut down. After that, I couldn’t turn it on at all, but today, if I press the power button, I see all the signs of the laptop turning on, but then it abruptly shuts down again in about 3 seconds of pressing the power button. (I’m assuming that is because it is running off the remaining power in the battery.)
Also, even with the adapter plugged in, it doesn’t show that the battery is charging – As if the adapter doesn’t exist.
It seems to me that there is electricity running from the adapter to my laptop, but isn’t going to the battery somehow. The main thing I’m wondering about is if it is the adapter’s fault, or do I need to open up my laptop and solder some faulty connection?
June 8th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
I have the same problem as trevar
“video goes away to a black screen and the fans start running fast and noise comes from the compters batery”
I removed the motherboard, cleaned out all the fans ( it was totally covered with dust btw)
I guess the problem is the heat fan being underneath the laptop with pulls all the dirt underneath and blocks the fan vents
May 7th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
adam,
If you tested the laptop with a known good memory module and it didn’t help, apparently there is a problem with the motherboard (of the video card if it’s a separate module).
May 7th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
i have a dell d800 and today the screen got lines across it and then froze up. i restarted the computer and nothing seems to be getting power the fan doesnt turn hard drive doesnt make a sound or the processor. i have unplugged the lcd and hooked it to a desktop monitor and still nothing. i swapped the memory around and switched hard drives reseated all parts that are removable inside the machine and still cant get anything to happen. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. thanks
April 29th, 2008 at 1:02 am
Hello All,
I have an HP NX9005 laptop and to power it up I have to press the drive lock key not the power on key !!!! Can someone please tell me how to get rid of this so I can just press the on button?
Regards,
April 6th, 2008 at 9:09 am
For what it’s worth: the problem with my Compaq Presario R3000 (R3410US) shutting off after 5.5 seconds was resolved by replacing the motherboard. (see my comment from May 21 2007 posted above). I don’t know the exact cause of the problem, but it was NOT the loose power connector problem which a lot of these machines have. Incidentally, anyone planning on buying one of these motherboards should be warned that not all 370494-001 motherboards are the same. One (older?) version has a digital media slot, a IEEE 1394 port, and a 64M graphics controller. Another (newer?) version has no digital media slot, no 1394 port, and a 32M graphics controller. You can’t tell the difference from the label, so double check with the seller to ensure you are receiving the kind you want.
April 3rd, 2008 at 3:06 am
Hello i have a Dell Inspiron 1501 and i recently decided to upgrade my cpu. Im currently running a sempron 3500 and i have decided to replace this cpu with turion 64 x2 TL-56, however when i put the turion cpu into the MB and go to start it up all i see is the power light turn on and hear the cpu fan run then a second later it turns off.
Do you have idea why my laptop wont start up normaly running under the turion cpu ?
March 17th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
I recently acquired a dell inspiron 1100 that battery light and power light remained on. I powered this up and was given an error about the time. I was able to get into the bios and reset the time with no problems and it restarted properly. There was no OS on the drive and due to a problem with the dvd drive I couldn’t install one at the moment.
I have since gotten a replacement drive, but the problem now is it won’t power back on; it’s back to the 2 solid lights on the front and nothing else functioning. Any suggestions or fixes?
March 2nd, 2008 at 1:47 pm
hello i have a compaq v600 pesario… with the touch sensative volume control… usually when the computer is powered on there are blue lights that will light up the volume comtrol… but for some reason my copmuter will light up half of the keyboard components… the keys fucntion properly but some of the lights that are supposed to be lit on the computer dont light up im not sure if this is descriptive…!!!!
March 1st, 2008 at 4:36 am
I recently acquired a sony vaio pcg-frv37 laptop. There is no battery and no ac adapter. The dc plug on the motherboard looks to be a bit burnt and broken. No dc plug that I could find fit it well so I fashioned one of my own. After doing some research online I found I needed 19.5vdc at 5amps for the power. I made a power supply to support that and hooked it up. When I press the power button the yellow battery light flashes once then nothing. I’ve heard mention of someone having this same problem and they mentioned a “picofuse” that protected the motherboard from voltage spikes. Any idea if this can be fixed? Where I could find said fuse if it exists, and if the laptop will even function without a battery pack? I would hate to let all this hardware go to waste. If it will help I could post up photos of the hardware. Thanx in advance too all that may reply.
-Jaities
February 19th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
um im having problems with my dell inspiron|9100 laptop sometimes it gets just a little hot and the video goes away to a black screen and the fans start running fast and noise comes from the compters batery
(the sound is like haveing your tv turned on without any cable. can someone help me?
January 13th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Maria TEsta,
Find out on the HP website if your laptop supports Windows XP at all. Find out if they provide device drivers for XP. If they do, you can remove Vista and install XP. I’m not sure about dual boot Vista with XP, never tried it myself.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:24 am
I purchased a Compaq Laptop which already has Vista installed. Is is possible to install Microsoft XP as well? If not Can Vista be removed and XP be installed?
PLease help
November 29th, 2007 at 12:11 am
Are you aware of this new law? I think it may be related to many of the power problems people are now having.
Here is an excerpt:
“Lead-free solders are significantly harder, increasing the likelihood of cracks instead of plastic deformation, which is typical for lead-containing solders.[14] Such cracks occur due to thermal or mechanical forces acting on components or the circuit board, the former being more common during manufacturing and the latter in the field.[15]”
Since some manufacturers produce product for many countries they must default to conformance in the more restrictive countries. Good luck to us all, thankfully medical products are not included.
October 7th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
Hey guys,
I picked up a HP zd7260 and the guy told me the only thing wrong with it is a power diode. When you hit the power button, lights come on and go right back out. The fan doesn’t start. Does this sound like any of the similar posts you’ve had in here? I’m not totally comfortable in opening a laptop, but if I need to, well then…..
Anyways. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
September 9th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
Hello,
I have a problem with my laptop battery, and i’m not sure whether a battery is faulty or it’s the laptop. Computer itself works fine, but won’t startup on battery. Software says it’s 23% charged and won’t charge anymore, so i suspect the battery is dead. Ok i took the battery out, and out of curiosity, i disassembled it, took a multimeter and measured 14 volts, and that’s designated voltage. How can i identify if it’s just faulty battery?
September 5th, 2007 at 11:20 am
Hi Harry and Freak. Thank you for helping people on this site. I have a big problem with my compaq presario c300 [c304nr actually] When i press the power button the power led turns into a solid orange color. The laptop fan starts up and then about exactly 1 second later the fan “shuts off” and the power led begins to start blinking/flashing. Nothing works… I cant open the dvd drive, no display on the lcd, can’t get into bios because nothing loads.
I have tried these things so far.
1. Reseating the ram[Tried both ram sockets still same problem]
2. Tried running it straight from the laptop battery[same problem, and by the way my laptop battery charges while i connect the ac adapter to the laptop when battery is connected]
3. Tried running it straight from the ac adapter with no battery attached.[Same problem, doesnt help].
4. Tried disconnecting battery and ac adapter and holding power button for 1 minute to discharge the laptop[Still same problem once i connect the laptop again]
Something i should note, i do not have a hard drive connected to this laptop at the moment[This shouldnt stop me from getting into bios should it?]
Also, i am trying to reseat the cmos battery and check all the wiring on the motherboard to see if anything is loose but i cannot get to the battery or open the case fully because i do not have the proper screwdriver[I need a smaller screwdriver than the one's i have]
August 9th, 2007 at 5:34 am
hi i was wondering if you can help i purchased a hp compaq nx9005 laptop around 3yrs ago everthing was working fine till around a year ago they cd/dvd rom for some reason has stopped working when i insert a cd or dvd in the cd/dvd tray and try to play nothing happens sometimes it will say no disc inserted in tray there is no spining noise of cd/dvd when in the tray please could you help thank you mike
July 24th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
buckeyegavin,
You cannot tell what is wrong until you test the laptop with a known good battery. In this model the battery plugs directly into the motherboard. It’s either a bad battery or something is wrong with the motherboard.
Just in case, make sure the laptop runs the latest BIOS and update it if needed.
July 23rd, 2007 at 11:55 am
Hi! i have a toshiba satellite m45-s165. i have an extended warranty from compusa, but unfortunately the compusa’s in my town closed, so i would have to drive 2 hours to have my laptop looked at, or send it in and do without it for a coupke weeks (not an option).
several months ago, my battery wasn’t holding a charge, so i got a new one under the extended warranty. it was holding a charge and doing fine until the other day. now my laptop will only power on when it is plugged into an outlet. no matter how long it’s plugged in, it will shut off when i unplug it.
might this be a problem with the charging mechanism in the laptop? or did the battery fail?
any advice is appreciated, thanks.