Help! My Laptop Crashed & Now Won't Boot Up!

[Ro_Laren]

I was on the internet on my HP laptop and it all of a sudden crashed. Now, the computer will not restart and none of the LED lights are glowing (even where the adapter connects to the laptop). Well, actually the lightning bolt light at the bottom left hand corner of the screen blinks white when I press down on the power button.

Here is a recent history of my laptop:

• The last month or so the laptop made random electronic sounding noises (it was not the fan).
• May 19 / 20 I had a problem: either the adaptor stopped working or the computer would no longer get a charge from the adapter. The LED light near the adaptor wasn't glowing and I eventually had to turn of the computer because it was out of juice and I didn't want it to crash. I kept repositioning the adapter in the laptop, but couldn't get it to work. But then, somehow it started to charge and after letting it charge overnight I turned it on. When I started the computer, I ran HP diagnostics on the computer. It didn't mention any specific problem. Also, it said that my battery was in good health / functioning properly. Again, that only happed once on May 19 / 20. In hindsight, I wish I would have backed up my files right away after that happened.

I tried to do a Google search to try to see how to fix my computer. I performed a hard reset per the instructions on HP's web-site, but this did not fix my computer.

Do you think this is a motherboard issue or do I just need a new adapter? I'd hate to waste money on an adapter and then learn that the problem was the motherboard. I hope that I can recover all of my data! By the way, I bought my laptop in 2008 or 2009 (probably the latter year) and bought my current battery in December 2012 or the beginning on 2013.

 

[MacLeod]

Do you know anyone who uses the same power adapter, if so see if it''ll charge using theirs. It could be a lose connection within the power port on yourlap and when you repostionined it you managed to reposition it into a position that worked. Or that the cable on the adapter is damaged and moving it around managed to get it work for a short time.

 

[Amaris]

The white flashing light is usually indicative of a power system issue, which means it's likely going to be either your AC Adapter, your battery, or your AC power jack.

Firstly, let's find out whether it's your AC Adapter or your battery:

BATTERY
* Unplug the AC adapter, and try to power on the system. If your system tries to power on with your battery, then your battery is likely fine, because even with a minimum charge, you should still be able to see your laptop attempt to power on. That means power is flowing from the battery.***


AC ADAPTER
* Unplug your computer, remove your battery.
* Plug the AC Adapter back into the jack and attempt to power on the system. If the system powers up, it's likely not the AC adapter.


AC POWER JACK
If the battery seems to be working, and the AC adapter seems to be working, but you can't power things up when it's all connected, then it's highly likely that your AC power jack is going bad and your battery isn't receiving a proper charge. Not to worry, though, as you can get a replacement for about $10-$20.

You'll have to dis-assemble your laptop in order to get to the power jack. Once you do, it's simple enough to unplug it from the motherboard connector, and to plug in the new one. Make sure you get the right power jack for the right model, or you may find yourself coming up short, or have an ill-fitting jack.

Of course, none of these methods are fool-proof. It could be a bad motherboard, too. I'm just trying to save you money before having to take that bigger step.


***For the battery test, it's better if you can try another battery and see if it starts charging or runs when the AC adapter is unplugged.

 

[Ro_Laren]

Thanks for your help! MacLeod, unfortunately I don't know anyone else with an HP and I'm afraid to use the power cord from my work laptop (a Lenovo).

J. Allen - thank you for all of your suggestions! I tried to run with laptop with just the battery, but it wouldn't start. I'm wondering if the laptop was running on battery juice today and I didn't notice. If so, perhaps it ran out of juice. When I ran a HP diagnostic on May 20th it said that my battery was in good condition. Also, I tried to run the laptop with just the adapter, but it wouldn't start. Perhaps it is the A.C. power jack like you mentioned. I never thought about that part of the computer. I've never replaced any parts on my laptop... scary, lol!

Weird.... I just plugged in my laptop and the LED near the adapter is lit. Also, the light in front of the lightning bolt is a solid white. What does this all mean? Does it help anyone diagnose the problem with my laptop?

I think that right now I'm going to let my laptop sit there for a couple hours (with the adapter plugged in) and then turn it on. The first thing I'm gonna do is save a bunch of files. Then, I don't know what I'll do - should I then try to buy a new adapter or buy an A.C. power jack??? Why would my adapter work and then not work?

 

[Amaris]

It sounds like a similar issue we had with our Dells (I used to work for Dell). Here's what I want you to do: it's solid white right now, but next time it starts blinking, count how many times it blinks before it repeats, and let me know.

So far, it sounds like it's your AC jack.

 

[Ro_Laren]

It sounds like a similar issue we had with our Dells (I used to work for Dell). Here's what I want you to do: it's solid white right now, but next time it starts blinking, count how many times it blinks before it repeats, and let me know.

So far, it sounds like it's your AC jack.

Guess what? The LED near the adapter is still lit, but the light in front of the lightning bolt is no longer lit. What does that mean? If it starts blinking again, I'll try to count the blinks and let you know!!! Thanks again for your help! Hopefully my laptop will turn on when I test it out tomorrow!

 

[Amaris]

It sounds like a similar issue we had with our Dells (I used to work for Dell). Here's what I want you to do: it's solid white right now, but next time it starts blinking, count how many times it blinks before it repeats, and let me know.

So far, it sounds like it's your AC jack.

Guess what? The LED near the adapter is still lit, but the light in front of the lightning bolt is no longer lit. What does that mean? If it starts blinking again, I'll try to count the blinks and let you know!!! Thanks again for your help! Hopefully my laptop will turn on when I test it out tomorrow!

If the lightning bolt isn't lit, that means the battery isn't receiving the charge.

 

[Ro_Laren]

So, I was able to turn on my computer today and save all of my important files to an external hard drive. I still have my laptop on. The LED light near where you plug your adapter to the laptop is lit. Also, 2 out of the 3 LED lights at the bottom left hand corner of my laptop are lit: the lightning bolt light is not lit.

I talked to my father and learned that he has a VOM Meter. He brought it over to me and it is a 1986 Micronata Multitester that was manufactured for Radio Shack. Lol! Do you think that I can trust it and use it to test the voltage of my adapter cord and the AC power jack? Or will it fry the cord and system if I use this ancient VOM Meter?



I might go to Wal-Mart and buy a cheap VOM Meter. Do you think that this or this will work?

 

[scotthm]

By the way, I bought my laptop in 2008 or 2009 (probably the latter year)

This won't be helpful, but it seems to me that most people buy new cars more often than they buy new computers.

---------------

 

[Amaris]

So, I was able to turn on my computer today and save all of my important files to an external hard drive. I still have my laptop on. The LED light near where you plug your adapter to the laptop is lit. Also, 2 out of the 3 LED lights at the bottom left hand corner of my laptop are lit: the lightning bolt light is not lit.

I talked to my father and learned that he has a VOM Meter. He brought it over to me and it is a 1986 Micronata Multitester that was manufactured for Radio Shack. Lol! Do you think that I can trust it and use it to test the voltage of my adapter cord and the AC power jack? Or will it fry the cord and system if I use this ancient VOM Meter?



I might go to Wal-Mart and buy a cheap VOM Meter. Do you think that this or this will work?

It should work just fine.

 

[Ro_Laren]

So, I was able to turn on my computer today and save all of my important files to an external hard drive. I still have my laptop on. The LED light near where you plug your adapter to the laptop is lit. Also, 2 out of the 3 LED lights at the bottom left hand corner of my laptop are lit: the lightning bolt light is not lit.

I talked to my father and learned that he has a VOM Meter. He brought it over to me and it is a 1986 Micronata Multitester that was manufactured for Radio Shack. Lol! Do you think that I can trust it and use it to test the voltage of my adapter cord and the AC power jack? Or will it fry the cord and system if I use this ancient VOM Meter?



I might go to Wal-Mart and buy a cheap VOM Meter. Do you think that this or this will work?

It should work just fine.

Thank you so much for your help! I've been really slammed at work and haven't had enough time to deal with anything outside of work (like my computer). As soon as I have some free time, I'll watch some YouTube videos to learn how to use my multimeter and test my laptop. I'll let you know the results of the Multimeter test!

 

[Amaris]

You're welcome. I hope things work out.

 

[MacLeod]

The important thing is that at the very least you have managed to get your files off.
You could always test your multimeter on an ordinary battery like you put in a remote control first.

 

[arch101]

Get a Mac?
OK, I admit I'm an Apple Zombie with a home filled with Apple tech and I think I can hear Steve Jobs speaking to me at night sometimes. But, I've had a Macbook Pro since 2007 and it's never crashed. Not a single time.
Sorry for your troubles.

 

[{ Emilia }]

^ Opposite experience. My first Macbook died after two years. I was dumb enough to buy a new one. It doesn't crash often but it definitely happens more often than my Windows PC which never crashes at all.

 

[HIjol]

iTunes is the Anti-Christ!*

IMHO (nothing whatsoever to do with Taylor Swift)

*the above opinion in no way reflects the feelings of members of the Star Trek BBS*

**or, maybe it does, a little, for some***

***or, even more than some.

The Syncing, the Linking, the Trading, the Impossibility of getting Whytunes, ever, out of your System. the lack of independent function on your iPad, The Playlists, the nonsense, the cloudy thing, (that never ever works) and, yeah, why is it that you have to control it from the platform you synced to or lynced to or installed or whatever, and you cannot control Crytunes from the platform the stuff is actually on!!!!????

Bet I know why!

all of this, of course, is IMHO****

****see *, above...

Actually, no, I do not feel any better getting that out, but it is true...IMHO.

Before the rebuttals come, I have loved Apples my whole life...to eat!

"Free, in-App Purchase" is the latest and most heinous new "informational disclosure" phrase in the history of shady whatevers.

And, why do they need my credit card information and life history and DNA and Retinal Scan for a Free App?

Bet I know!

Grrrrrrrrr...

ok, yes, now I do feel better...