NerdDetective
New Member
- Reaction score
- 0
Original Fault & Replacement Motherboard
I've got an HP Pavilion dv7-1245dx on my bench right now. It turned on with a straightforward and easily google-able problem. There was a black screen and the CAPS/num lock lights were giving a slow single blink. HP's support website (source) indicated as a CPU failure. I figured it was the motherboard.
My client didn't sound happy with what a new board would cost (he was on the fence with "could you transfer my files over if I just got a new laptop?"). I told him that I was able to find a refurbished one with a warranty significantly cheaper than a brand new one, so he agreed to let me try that. Long story short, I install the motherboard and it works perfectly. Windows boots right up. All is right with the world, and I my joyous heart, exclaims "tell our client the good news!"
New Fault
However, I decided to run some diagnostics while I went to help another client, just in case. I popped in Memtest for the RAM to run while I was out. When I got back, the laptop was off. I noticed that I'd forgotten to actually plug it in (duh), so I figured the battery had simply died. I plugged it in to charge up, such that I could continue testing.
Thankfully, I'd resisted the urge to make that "hey, it works!" call. When I turn it on, here's what happens:
1) The fans and LEDs turn on briefly for about 3-4 seconds, then turn off abruptly.
2) There are no beeps or any screen activity.
3) When plugged in, any additional use of the power button causes the front power LED to light up briefly (about a 3-4 seconds), with the other LEDs and fan staying inert. After it's unplugged, the LEDs and fan will come on again briefly as in step 1.
4) If on battery power only, the fans/LEDs will always activate (as in step 1) each time I push the power button.
The light in the power jack stays on when it's plugged in and does not flash or turn off at any point.
First tried removing the unnecessary (no change):
* Hard drive
* Wifi card
Additional steps taken:
* Remove all RAM, swap RAM positions, try one RAM module.
* Use the battery while plugged in.
* Disconnect the battery, but keep plugged in.
* Connect the battery without plugging in.
* Hold the power button for 30 seconds with battery/AC plug are out.
* Remove the CMOS battery for several minutes.
* Completely take the whole thing apart and put it back together (twice).
* On second rebuild I noticed that the GPU seemed a little "gunky" so I cleaned it.
* Put in the old motherboard. This exhibited the original error condition.
Any Ideas?
Given that I can replicate the original fault with the original board, I'm pretty confident that some part (i.e. CPU or RAM) did not spontaneously fail and cause the fault I'm seeing with the replacement board.
At this point I'm just planning on explaining the situation to my client (that the lower cost refurbished replacement failed), getting a refund on the board, and buying a brand new board (if the client is okay with the price). I feel like my attempt to help the customer on price with a refurb board has backfired.
Am I missing a possible fix? Anyone else seen this kind of problem on a laptop board before?
I've got an HP Pavilion dv7-1245dx on my bench right now. It turned on with a straightforward and easily google-able problem. There was a black screen and the CAPS/num lock lights were giving a slow single blink. HP's support website (source) indicated as a CPU failure. I figured it was the motherboard.
My client didn't sound happy with what a new board would cost (he was on the fence with "could you transfer my files over if I just got a new laptop?"). I told him that I was able to find a refurbished one with a warranty significantly cheaper than a brand new one, so he agreed to let me try that. Long story short, I install the motherboard and it works perfectly. Windows boots right up. All is right with the world, and I my joyous heart, exclaims "tell our client the good news!"
New Fault
However, I decided to run some diagnostics while I went to help another client, just in case. I popped in Memtest for the RAM to run while I was out. When I got back, the laptop was off. I noticed that I'd forgotten to actually plug it in (duh), so I figured the battery had simply died. I plugged it in to charge up, such that I could continue testing.
Thankfully, I'd resisted the urge to make that "hey, it works!" call. When I turn it on, here's what happens:
1) The fans and LEDs turn on briefly for about 3-4 seconds, then turn off abruptly.
2) There are no beeps or any screen activity.
3) When plugged in, any additional use of the power button causes the front power LED to light up briefly (about a 3-4 seconds), with the other LEDs and fan staying inert. After it's unplugged, the LEDs and fan will come on again briefly as in step 1.
4) If on battery power only, the fans/LEDs will always activate (as in step 1) each time I push the power button.
The light in the power jack stays on when it's plugged in and does not flash or turn off at any point.
First tried removing the unnecessary (no change):
* Hard drive
* Wifi card
Additional steps taken:
* Remove all RAM, swap RAM positions, try one RAM module.
* Use the battery while plugged in.
* Disconnect the battery, but keep plugged in.
* Connect the battery without plugging in.
* Hold the power button for 30 seconds with battery/AC plug are out.
* Remove the CMOS battery for several minutes.
* Completely take the whole thing apart and put it back together (twice).
* On second rebuild I noticed that the GPU seemed a little "gunky" so I cleaned it.
* Put in the old motherboard. This exhibited the original error condition.
Any Ideas?
Given that I can replicate the original fault with the original board, I'm pretty confident that some part (i.e. CPU or RAM) did not spontaneously fail and cause the fault I'm seeing with the replacement board.
At this point I'm just planning on explaining the situation to my client (that the lower cost refurbished replacement failed), getting a refund on the board, and buying a brand new board (if the client is okay with the price). I feel like my attempt to help the customer on price with a refurb board has backfired.
Am I missing a possible fix? Anyone else seen this kind of problem on a laptop board before?
Last edited: