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Laptop won't boot



 
 
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  #1  
Old August 15th 11, 10:23 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware
barrowhill
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 46
Default Laptop won't boot

I have an HP Compag NC6400 laptop. using last night with no problems.
Standard shutdown. This evening powered up and nothing. No BIOS screen, no
HDD activity, nothing, just blank, black screen.

No Spare RAM to test but removed RAM and powered up to check for POST beep.
Nothing but then not sure if on this model to expect something. HDD OK as
removed and checked via USB test rig by desktop PC. Disc readable and
contents as expected.

Am I looking at faulty RAM? or something more serious like blown
motherboard. Appreciate any input as to what additionally to do/check for to
resolve.

Ads
  #2  
Old August 16th 11, 01:28 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware
Twayne[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 4,276
Default Laptop won't boot

In ,
barrowhill typed:
I have an HP Compag NC6400 laptop. using last night with
no problems. Standard shutdown. This evening powered up
and nothing. No BIOS screen, no HDD activity, nothing,
just blank, black screen.
No Spare RAM to test but removed RAM and powered up to
check for POST beep. Nothing but then not sure if on this
model to expect something. HDD OK as removed and checked via USB test rig
by desktop PC. Disc readable and
contents as expected.
Am I looking at faulty RAM? or something more serious
like blown motherboard. Appreciate any input as to what
additionally to do/check for to resolve.


Or a power supply problem. Blown fuse? No output one or more rails?

HTH,

Twayne`


  #3  
Old August 16th 11, 09:42 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware
Frederick[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 62
Default Laptop won't boot

On Mon, 15 Aug 2011 22:23:31 +0100, "barrowhill"
wrote:

I have an HP Compag NC6400 laptop. using last night with no problems.
Standard shutdown. This evening powered up and nothing. No BIOS screen, no
HDD activity, nothing, just blank, black screen.

No Spare RAM to test but removed RAM and powered up to check for POST beep.
Nothing but then not sure if on this model to expect something. HDD OK as
removed and checked via USB test rig by desktop PC. Disc readable and
contents as expected.

Am I looking at faulty RAM? or something more serious like blown
motherboard. Appreciate any input as to what additionally to do/check for to
resolve.



I'll tell you what worked for me - know not why yet.

Unplug AC adapter.
Unplug all other cables.
Remove BATTERY.
Try to power up using AC adapter again.
Mine powered up.
Shut down,
Remove adapter/
Replace BATTERY.
Power up from the BATTERY.
Mine worked.
Still does a day later,

Big Fred
  #4  
Old August 16th 11, 10:13 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware
barrowhill
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 46
Default Laptop won't boot

Frederick,

Thanks for input. Tried your tip but no joy.

I've reset (unplugged battery) CMOS but also no joy.



"Frederick" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 15 Aug 2011 22:23:31 +0100, "barrowhill"
wrote:

I have an HP Compag NC6400 laptop. using last night with no problems.
Standard shutdown. This evening powered up and nothing. No BIOS screen,
no
HDD activity, nothing, just blank, black screen.

No Spare RAM to test but removed RAM and powered up to check for POST
beep.
Nothing but then not sure if on this model to expect something. HDD OK as
removed and checked via USB test rig by desktop PC. Disc readable and
contents as expected.

Am I looking at faulty RAM? or something more serious like blown
motherboard. Appreciate any input as to what additionally to do/check for
to
resolve.



I'll tell you what worked for me - know not why yet.

Unplug AC adapter.
Unplug all other cables.
Remove BATTERY.
Try to power up using AC adapter again.
Mine powered up.
Shut down,
Remove adapter/
Replace BATTERY.
Power up from the BATTERY.
Mine worked.
Still does a day later,

Big Fred

  #5  
Old August 16th 11, 10:43 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware
barrowhill
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 46
Default Laptop won't boot

Twayne,

Thanks for input,

PSU output is 18.5v /3.5A. Tested and all appears OK.



"Twayne" wrote in message
...
In ,
barrowhill typed:
I have an HP Compag NC6400 laptop. using last night with
no problems. Standard shutdown. This evening powered up
and nothing. No BIOS screen, no HDD activity, nothing,
just blank, black screen.
No Spare RAM to test but removed RAM and powered up to
check for POST beep. Nothing but then not sure if on this
model to expect something. HDD OK as removed and checked via USB test
rig by desktop PC. Disc readable and
contents as expected.
Am I looking at faulty RAM? or something more serious
like blown motherboard. Appreciate any input as to what
additionally to do/check for to resolve.


Or a power supply problem. Blown fuse? No output one or more rails?

HTH,

Twayne`



  #6  
Old August 16th 11, 12:44 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware
Frederick[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 62
Default Laptop won't boot

On Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:13:56 +0100, "barrowhill"
wrote:

Frederick,

Thanks for input. Tried your tip but no joy.

I've reset (unplugged battery) CMOS but also no joy.


Sorry about that. Worked for me strangely.

Big Fred
  #7  
Old August 16th 11, 04:43 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware
BillW50
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 5,556
Default Laptop won't boot

In ,
Frederick wrote:
On Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:13:56 +0100, "barrowhill"
wrote:

Frederick,

Thanks for input. Tried your tip but no joy.

I've reset (unplugged battery) CMOS but also no joy.


Sorry about that. Worked for me strangely.

Big Fred


Here is something else that they say works barrowhill.

1) Remove the AC power

2) Remove the main battery (if you have two remove that one as well)

3) Press on hold the power button for at least 10 seconds

Now give it a shot. This method has about a 3% success rate, so don't
get your hopes too high.

Another thing to look for is a tiny hole with a reset button beneath it.
Sometimes they are found near the power button or on the bottom. Careful
poking something like a bent paperclip through one of them and make sure
it isn't a hole for a mic if you have one. Although most modern laptops
don't have a reset button anymore.

Also pulling out the CMOS battery usually doesn't reset anything
anymore. As the CMOS memory is usually flash memory nowadays and doesn't
care if it has power or not. Although sometimes there are two copper
round pads on the motherboard. And shorting the two together for 10
seconds or longer should reset everything (without power or battery).
Although be careful, they might be pads for some other purpose. So try
to verify what they are for before trying.

If all the above fails, you might have a bricked computer. This means
that the BIOS is corrupted and needs to be replaced or if you are lucky,
reflashed. Without an operating BIOS, a computer is completely
worthless. And just so you know, there is one virus at least called CIH,
also known as Chernobyl Virus written by Chen Ing Hau of Taiwan. Which
can toast some BIOS. Although unless you are running W95, W98, or ME;
you can't be infected.

If you think it is possible that you were infected by CIH or some
variant. Here are when the payloads are delivered:

CIH v1.2/CIH.1103 - This variant is the most common one and activates on
April 26. It contains the string: CIH v1.2 TTIT.

CIH v1.3/CIH.1010A and CIH1010.B - This variant also activates on June
26. It contains the string: CIH v1.3 TTIT.

CIH v1.4/CIH.1019 - This variant acts on the 26th of any month. It is
still in the wild, although it is not that common. It contains the
string CIH v1.4 TATUNG.

CIH.1049 - This variant activates on August 2 instead of April 26.

--
Bill
Gateway M465e ('06 era) - OE-QuoteFix v1.19.2
Centrino Core Duo 1.83G - 2GB - Windows XP SP3


  #8  
Old August 16th 11, 05:09 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware
Stefan Patric[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 229
Default Laptop won't boot

On Mon, 15 Aug 2011 20:28:30 -0400, Twayne wrote:

In , barrowhill
typed:
I have an HP Compag NC6400 laptop. using last night with no problems.
Standard shutdown. This evening powered up and nothing. No BIOS
screen, no HDD activity, nothing, just blank, black screen.
No Spare RAM to test but removed RAM and powered up to check for POST
beep. Nothing but then not sure if on this model to expect something.
HDD OK as removed and checked via USB test rig by desktop PC. Disc
readable and
contents as expected.
Am I looking at faulty RAM? or something more serious like blown
motherboard. Appreciate any input as to what additionally to do/check
for to resolve.


Or a power supply problem. Blown fuse? No output one or more rails?


Or the graphics chip/card or CPU died.

Stef
  #9  
Old August 16th 11, 05:53 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware
barrowhill
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 46
Default Laptop won't boot

Bill,

Thanks for input.

I've tried variants of the holding power button etc but all with no joy. As
for reset button - I've looked all over but can't see. I don't think
NC-6400 equipped with one. Confident that not BIOS virus as running win 7.
Only thing not tried is replacement RAM. I'll borrow a stick and check.

"BillW50" wrote in message
...
In ,
Frederick wrote:
On Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:13:56 +0100, "barrowhill"
wrote:

Frederick,

Thanks for input. Tried your tip but no joy.

I've reset (unplugged battery) CMOS but also no joy.


Sorry about that. Worked for me strangely.

Big Fred


Here is something else that they say works barrowhill.

1) Remove the AC power

2) Remove the main battery (if you have two remove that one as well)

3) Press on hold the power button for at least 10 seconds

Now give it a shot. This method has about a 3% success rate, so don't get
your hopes too high.

Another thing to look for is a tiny hole with a reset button beneath it.
Sometimes they are found near the power button or on the bottom. Careful
poking something like a bent paperclip through one of them and make sure
it isn't a hole for a mic if you have one. Although most modern laptops
don't have a reset button anymore.

Also pulling out the CMOS battery usually doesn't reset anything anymore.
As the CMOS memory is usually flash memory nowadays and doesn't care if it
has power or not. Although sometimes there are two copper round pads on
the motherboard. And shorting the two together for 10 seconds or longer
should reset everything (without power or battery). Although be careful,
they might be pads for some other purpose. So try to verify what they are
for before trying.

If all the above fails, you might have a bricked computer. This means that
the BIOS is corrupted and needs to be replaced or if you are lucky,
reflashed. Without an operating BIOS, a computer is completely worthless.
And just so you know, there is one virus at least called CIH, also known
as Chernobyl Virus written by Chen Ing Hau of Taiwan. Which can toast some
BIOS. Although unless you are running W95, W98, or ME; you can't be
infected.

If you think it is possible that you were infected by CIH or some variant.
Here are when the payloads are delivered:

CIH v1.2/CIH.1103 - This variant is the most common one and activates on
April 26. It contains the string: CIH v1.2 TTIT.

CIH v1.3/CIH.1010A and CIH1010.B - This variant also activates on June 26.
It contains the string: CIH v1.3 TTIT.

CIH v1.4/CIH.1019 - This variant acts on the 26th of any month. It is
still in the wild, although it is not that common. It contains the string
CIH v1.4 TATUNG.

CIH.1049 - This variant activates on August 2 instead of April 26.

--
Bill
Gateway M465e ('06 era) - OE-QuoteFix v1.19.2
Centrino Core Duo 1.83G - 2GB - Windows XP SP3

  #10  
Old August 18th 11, 06:55 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware
barrowhill
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 46
Default Laptop won't boot

To all.

Thanks for all your responses. Fault identified as CPU failure. I was
pointed to this link (hp tech support) which identified the problem -

https://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...n&dlc=en&cc=uk.

The info there may be useful to others


"barrowhill" wrote in message
...
I have an HP Compag NC6400 laptop. using last night with no problems.
Standard shutdown. This evening powered up and nothing. No BIOS screen,
no HDD activity, nothing, just blank, black screen.

No Spare RAM to test but removed RAM and powered up to check for POST
beep. Nothing but then not sure if on this model to expect something. HDD
OK as removed and checked via USB test rig by desktop PC. Disc readable
and contents as expected.

Am I looking at faulty RAM? or something more serious like blown
motherboard. Appreciate any input as to what additionally to do/check for
to resolve.

  #11  
Old August 18th 11, 07:10 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware
BillW50
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 5,556
Default Laptop won't boot

In ,
barrowhill wrote:
To all.

Thanks for all your responses. Fault identified as CPU failure. I
was pointed to this link (hp tech support) which identified the
problem -
https://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...n&dlc=en&cc=uk.

The info there may be useful to others


That makes total sense. Say what make and model of CPU is it? Hopefully
it is socketed if you plan on repairing it. Is this it?

Processor
Intel® Centrino® Duo processor technology
.. Intel® CoreT2 Duo Processor T5600
.. 1.83 GHz , 2 MB L2 cache, 667 MHz FSB
Mobile Intel® 945GM Express Chipset

If so, you are lucky like me. As you can put in Celerons, Core Duo, and
Core2 Duo CPUs in that motherboard. ;-)

--
Bill
Gateway M465e ('06 era) - OE-QuoteFix v1.19.2
Centrino Core Duo 1.83G - 2GB - Windows XP SP3


  #12  
Old August 20th 11, 10:21 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware
barrowhill
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 46
Default Laptop won't boot

Bill,

Specification as you have laid out is correct - HP NC6400 model. CPU chip
is socketed as can go up to T7400. However major issue is pr-ce (in UK).
T7200 (and below) are relatively inexpensive at £71 inc VAT. When you go up
one to T7400 price hike to £174 and T7600, £181.

I'll probably settle for T7200 as might as well get newer laptop to offset
price hike on others. Would recommend considering one of the other chip
options?


"BillW50" wrote in message
...
In ,
barrowhill wrote:
To all.

Thanks for all your responses. Fault identified as CPU failure. I
was pointed to this link (hp tech support) which identified the
problem -
https://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...n&dlc=en&cc=uk.

The info there may be useful to others


That makes total sense. Say what make and model of CPU is it? Hopefully it
is socketed if you plan on repairing it. Is this it?

Processor
Intel® Centrino® Duo processor technology
. Intel® CoreT2 Duo Processor T5600
. 1.83 GHz , 2 MB L2 cache, 667 MHz FSB
Mobile Intel® 945GM Express Chipset

If so, you are lucky like me. As you can put in Celerons, Core Duo, and
Core2 Duo CPUs in that motherboard. ;-)

--
Bill
Gateway M465e ('06 era) - OE-QuoteFix v1.19.2
Centrino Core Duo 1.83G - 2GB - Windows XP SP3


  #13  
Old August 20th 11, 06:11 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware
BillW50
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 5,556
Default Laptop won't boot

On 8/20/2011 4:21 AM, barrowhill wrote:
Bill,

Specification as you have laid out is correct - HP NC6400 model. CPU
chip is socketed as can go up to T7400. However major issue is pr-ce (in
UK). T7200 (and below) are relatively inexpensive at £71 inc VAT. When
you go up one to T7400 price hike to £174 and T7600, £181.

I'll probably settle for T7200 as might as well get newer laptop to
offset price hike on others. Would recommend considering one of the
other chip options?


Well the first thing I would worry about is this. Those Intel Celeron,
Core Duo, and Core2 usually don't fail without a good reason. And the
first thing that I would be interested in would be what the CPU
temperatures usually was. But you don't know this information, do you?

As I have one Gateway MX6124 that the CPU read 10°F lower at idle, and
40°F lower maxing out the CPU than my other two MX6124s. And this one
looked gorgeous. As it looked like it was just taken out of the box. It
had no dust inside or anything and was spotless.

I didn't worry too much about the low CPU temperature readings. But I
should have. As I was using 3D games on it which maxed out the poor
Celeron 1.5 GHz CPU. And after 6 weeks, the CPU failed.

I replaced the CPU and it works well once again. Although the CPU is one
I got from one of my other MX6124. And now this CPU which I know read
temperatures correctly in the other laptop is now reading low. So
something on the motherboard is reading it incorrectly. And I am sure if
I push it hard again, this CPU would die too.

I am convinced that the fan doesn't run on high hardly at all because it
thinks the CPU is running very cool anyway. So that is a problem if you
want to work the CPU very hard for long periods of time.

And I wonder if yours read lower than it should too. As if it is, it
will probably burn out the next CPU you put in there.

So I would buy a used cheap CPU and put it in there and check the temps
and work it to death. If the temps are what they should be, then I think
you should be okay. And then you can spend the money and put what you
would rather have in it.

Speaking of which, this one has a T7200. And my other machines, I have
T5600 and others less. And performance wise, there isn't too much of a
difference between a T5600 and a T7200 with a 32 bit OS anyway. Maybe if
you are running Vista or Windows 7, it might be better with a T7200. But
for XP, I don't know if I would bother with a T7200.

And remember, you don't have to buy these CPUs new. As the vast majority
of used CPUs (the ones we are talking about anyway) should last a
lifetime. And often you can purchase a used laptop like on eBay that has
something wrong, like missing parts, bad screen, or something... but has
a working motherboard with a working CPU that cost less than the CPU is
worth used anyway. So that is another option. ;-)

--
Bill
Gateway M465e ('06 era) - Thunderbird v3.0
Centrino Core2 Duo 2GHz - 1.5GB - Windows 7
  #14  
Old August 20th 11, 07:06 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware
BillW50
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 5,556
Default Laptop won't boot

On 8/20/2011 12:11 PM, BillW50 wrote:
On 8/20/2011 4:21 AM, barrowhill wrote:
Speaking of which, this one has a T7200. And my other machines, I have
T5600 and others less. And performance wise, there isn't too much of a
difference between a T5600 and a T7200 with a 32 bit OS anyway. Maybe if
you are running Vista or Windows 7, it might be better with a T7200. But
for XP, I don't know if I would bother with a T7200.


Guess what? I decided to double check. And the machine in which I said
was using a T5600 is actually using a T2400 (Core Duo 1.83GHz). So
replace T5600 with T2400 above.

I did find the machine that has a T5600, but I am not currently using it
for anything. Now I don't remember why? lol I do know there is nothing
wrong with it. I just have too many machines here to remember
everything. ;-)

--
Bill
Gateway M465e ('06 era) - Thunderbird v3.0
Centrino Core2 Duo 2GHz - 1.5GB - Windows 7
  #15  
Old August 23rd 11, 12:22 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware
barrowhill
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 46
Default Laptop won't boot

Bill.

I don't or didn't use use my laptop for gaming etc so no really work hard.
Just sits on on desk and switched on when researching something when working
when working with desktop PC. When on didn't feel particularly hot, not
hotter than I would expect. Warm air was being blown out of exhaust vent.
Removed keyboard and not much evidence of dust around chip and/or fan. Fan
appears to be operating OK

Would you recommend T2400 over T5600 ??

"BillW50" wrote in message
...
On 8/20/2011 12:11 PM, BillW50 wrote:
On 8/20/2011 4:21 AM, barrowhill wrote:
Speaking of which, this one has a T7200. And my other machines, I have
T5600 and others less. And performance wise, there isn't too much of a
difference between a T5600 and a T7200 with a 32 bit OS anyway. Maybe if
you are running Vista or Windows 7, it might be better with a T7200. But
for XP, I don't know if I would bother with a T7200.


Guess what? I decided to double check. And the machine in which I said was
using a T5600 is actually using a T2400 (Core Duo 1.83GHz). So replace
T5600 with T2400 above.

I did find the machine that has a T5600, but I am not currently using it
for anything. Now I don't remember why? lol I do know there is nothing
wrong with it. I just have too many machines here to remember everything.
;-)

--
Bill
Gateway M465e ('06 era) - Thunderbird v3.0
Centrino Core2 Duo 2GHz - 1.5GB - Windows 7

 




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