HP dv5 failure to bootup

[ccand7]

Put it to bed normally and when I started up it gets to hp logo and message at bottom left "Press the ESC Key for start up Menu"  Press ESC key goes to "ESC...Pause startup" and nothing else happens.  This is a HP dv5 laptop running vista.  Tried the F8 key at start up with no different results.  We are on vacation and do not have any backup disks.  Any ideas?

[truenorth]

ccand7,Welcome to the CH forums. What if anything was changed or occurred (software/hardware/abnormal event) coincident to this issue arising?truenorth

[ccand7]

Since my post I have opened the back enough to see if anything was loose and blew out dust.  Still can not get it to respond beyond the ESC message.  I guess the next thing is take it somewhere to have it looked at.

[nickgr5]

My personal opinion would be to check the RAM first. Try removing the DIMM and reseating it again. Also, do you hear any beeps during startup?

[ccand7]

Took it to a local tech shop and he pulled the two memory chips out and reinserted them one a time and one was bad.  Didn't charge me anything.  So I bought a new 2 gig memory chip and we are back in business.  Thanks nickgr5 for the response. 

[patio]

Excellent news...Welcome Aboard !