Compaq Presario won't boot

[roborobs computer repair]

I have a Compaq Presario laptop. When you press the power button the power light flashes for a split second and shuts off. It acts (during the time when the light is on) like the hard drive is going to run but shuts off. Nothing comes on the screen. I've tried removing the battery and power supply and holding down the power button for 1 minute. I've also tried removing and replacing the cmos battery to reset it. I've blew out the fan thinking it was clogged as some computers will not start if the fan cannot turn. non of these things worked. I've already looked online and the solutions above are the ones I've found. Any suggestions?

 

[B Trevathan]

Have you:

Tried starting it with just the battery without the power supply?
Tried starting it with just the power supply without the battery?
Tried reseating the memory?
Tried starting it with one stick of memory?
Tried swapping out the memory?
Tried unplug things like printers, USB devices, wifi cards ,modems, DVD, hard drive and then try to start it?
Checked the motherboard for any bad caps or any other damage?
​

 

[roborobs computer repair]

Tried starting it with just the battery without the power supply? - Yes
Tried starting it with just the power supply without the battery? - Yes
Tried reseating the memory? -Yes
Tried starting it with one stick of memory? - didn't think of this
Tried swapping out the memory? - yes
Tried unplug things like printers, USB devices, wifi cards ,modems, DVD, hard drive and then try to start it? - yes
Checked the motherboard for any bad caps or any other damage? - yes

 

[B Trevathan]

Sounds like a short somewhere, could be a fan if its old. Check the cables.

Also have you checked the TIM on the CPU? maybe try another CPU if the TIM looks bad.

If the computer can boot from one stick of memory, try one stick in different slots.

 

[brundle]

Is it a V3000 or V6000 circa 2007-2008 ? If the infamous nvidia GPU problem has raised its head that's exactly what they do - cure is to reflow/reball the GPU. Did the customer mention the wifi had been playing up before the machine stopped powering up - that's another indicator.

 

[roborobs computer repair]

Sorry, forgot to put the model number F7000. I have my suspicions about the fan as before the computer did this the fan would kick on and sound like gears were grinding. so I'm thinking the fan has finally fried could that be a possible cause for this problem?

 

[B Trevathan]

Sorry, forgot to put the model number F7000. I have my suspicions about the fan as before the computer did this the fan would kick on and sound like gears were grinding.

You also forgot to mention the fan problem in your op.

Yes, a bad fan can prevent a computer from starting. Do not keep trying to start it until the fan is checked and/or replaced. Repetitive start ups and shut downs because of a bad fan can physically damage the hard drive. Some people disconnect the fan and hook a small battery to the fan to test it.

 

[shamrin]

Don't you mean V7000? There is no F7000 Compaq. Aren't these the Compaq versions of the infamous HP DV series? Don't waste your time on the fan if it's got an Nvidia GPU.

 

[anonymous Mac Tech]

I have my suspicions about the fan as before the computer did this the fan would kick on and sound like gears were grinding. so I'm thinking the fan has finally fried could that be a possible cause for this problem?

If the machine is cold and has been sitting for a while, the machine should at least post and run for a while until its gets hot enough to shut down, if the fan is the only problem. I'm assuming you haven't or don't know how to take this thing apart to troubleshoot further? What happens when there is no RAM installed? Does it even beep or acknowledge there is no RAM?

 

[roborobs computer repair]

anonymous Mac Tech: I have taken the laptop completely apart. In doing so, I did not see any visual hardware problems. I removed the ram and tried starting it and I got nothing just the same power light flash and power down. I also tried removing the hard drive once still got the same result. I will tell you I am a new technician I've had three years of schooling in computers but i am still learning so yes there are somethings I still don't know that is why I've joined this forum to learn.

shamrin: I accidently typed an extra zero on it the actual model is Compaq Presario F700. Does that model have the Nividia GPU? If so how do I go about troubleshooting/replacing it?

 

[anonymous Mac Tech]

anonymous Mac Tech: I have taken the laptop completely apart. In doing so, I did not see any visual hardware problems. I removed the ram and tried starting it and I got nothing just the same power light flash and power down. I also tried removing the hard drive once still got the same result. I will tell you I am a new technician I've had three years of schooling in computers but i am still learning so yes there are somethings I still don't know that is why I've joined this forum to learn.

Then include EVERYTHING you've done in your original post to avoid the frustrating 20 questions game? If the machine is not even recognizing no RAM is installed, how do you conclude a fan is the problem? How about unplugging the fan, even though I doubt it would make a difference? Or have you already done that, but also left that out of what you've tried?

 

[Elemdee]

anonymous Mac Tech: I have taken the laptop completely apart. In doing so, I did not see any visual hardware problems. I removed the ram and tried starting it and I got nothing just the same power light flash and power down. I also tried removing the hard drive once still got the same result. I will tell you I am a new technician I've had three years of schooling in computers but i am still learning so yes there are somethings I still don't know that is why I've joined this forum to learn.

shamrin: I accidently typed an extra zero on it the actual model is Compaq Presario F700. Does that model have the Nividia GPU? If so how do I go about troubleshooting/replacing it?

2 comments for you:
1) google the model number and the word 'specifications' if you want further information on the pc you're working with. I received this from presario F700 specifications. http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsuppor...3548233&prodTypeId=321957&supportTaskId=22964

2) When working with a power issue such as yours where it has random starts and shutdowns and appears to be a hardware issue, ie, fan, ram, etc, remove the hard drive from the start and don't include it in your troubleshooting up front. You want to work with the bare minimum and up to/thru the POST period. Protecting the integrity of the hard drive and all the data on it should be a #1 priority.

 

[MobileTechie]

Sounds very much like a GPU or mobo problem. Probably needs reballing.

 

[TLE]

shamrin: I accidently typed an extra zero on it the actual model is Compaq Presario F700. Does that model have the Nividia GPU? If so how do I go about troubleshooting/replacing it?

F700 is the series name, might be an idea to post the actual product name. This is located on the bottom next to the S\N(usually).

Just re-read Elemdee's post which essentially says the same thing as my post. :0)

 

[roborobs computer repair]

2 comments for you:
1) google the model number and the word 'specifications' if you want further information on the pc you're working with. I received this from presario F700 specifications. http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsuppor...3548233&prodTypeId=321957&supportTaskId=22964

2) When working with a power issue such as yours where it has random starts and shutdowns and appears to be a hardware issue, ie, fan, ram, etc, remove the hard drive from the start and don't include it in your troubleshooting up front. You want to work with the bare minimum and up to/thru the POST period. Protecting the integrity of the hard drive and all the data on it should be a #1 priority.

thanks for the help I'll try again searching these things.

 

[B Trevathan]

Did you ever check or replace the fan?

I have my suspicions about the fan as before the computer did this the fan would kick on and sound like gears were grinding. so I'm thinking the fan has finally fried could that be a possible cause for this problem?

Yes, a bad fan can prevent a computer from starting. Do not keep trying to start it until the fan is checked and/or replaced. Repetitive start ups and shut downs because of a bad fan can physically damage the hard drive. Some people disconnect the fan and hook a small battery to the fan to test it.