Notebook computer won't boot up... generally speaking.

[truenorth]

GameAngel,On the anti virus issue--it is not a matter of just "running" them.having 2 (or more) installed on the same computer is enough to cause problems (particularly if Norton is one of them).Anti virus programs are designed to "run" whenever certain functions are instituted IE: web searches,e-mail searches,etc.So anti virus programs do more than just perform either automatic or manual generated computer scans (somewhat variable by owner selected parameters).But they will "fight" with each other when more than 1 is installed.Given your comments about your extremely limited access to this computer how was it you were able to delete AVG? truenorth

[GameAngel64]

You see, my laptop computer is much like a bad car.  If you try about 20+ times, there is a good chance that one of those times it will start. 

Although seriously I don't try that many times in one go.  If it doesn't come on, I usually wait several hours and try again.  If I do this enough times throughout the day, usually it'll start at least one time (though sometimes it will start the first time I try, and then never again the rest of the day, or sometimes it won't start all day at all.  Sometimes it will even boot up a couple of times in the same day.  It is really random).

[truenorth]

GameAngel,I totally empathise with your situation as i have been there a number of times.It may take a while but i feel that you may well overcome this issue (hopefully by not having to replace the computer). The randomness of the successful boots plus the fact that it occurs on both internal battery and external adapter may suggest that it is an intermittent electrical fault somewhere within the unit as opposed to in the adapter. have you tried placing an object with some weight (not a lot just enough to create a bit of pressure) on the computer to see what happens? If it is a short the pressure may be enough to maintain the contact. It may help to narrow down the issue.good luck,truenorth

[GameAngel64]

"an intermittent electrical fault somewhere within the unit"

That's the kind of intuitive feeling I get when it boots (or doesn't).  Like sometimes it "takes" and sometimes it just doesn't.  I'll try putting something weighty on it later.  Is there a particular spot I should put this object (don't necessarily want it on top of the keyboard itself), or does it not matter too much where the weight/pressure is specifically applied?

[truenorth]

GameAngel64, Where to place the weight is going to be a guess under the best of conditions without having access to the schematics of the computer. I would emphasise in the area where the external adapter plug enters the case. However it may also be in the area where the internal battery connection terminals are as well.Given that this is a long shot to start with if you can find some type of object that can be moved around and tested in various locations that will probably be the best to try. But i would start at the 2 points i mentioned.Again make sure that it is not too heavy an object.The object being to create minimal pressure at a point where a poor contact is being made. Have you or someone else possibly dropped this computer around the time this started to occur? good luck and keep us posted.PS This test can be more accurately performed with a volt meter but this involves doing things internally with the device turned on and has a potential (particularly by inexperienced people) for catastrophe.truenorth

[GameAngel64]

As far as I know, the computer has not been dropped, and the people of this household are being adamant that that's the truth. 

I tried just pressing down on the computer and had someone else hit the power button, but I didn't apply pressure anywhere near the spots you said, so I'll try that again later.  Doing it the way I was doing it, it did boot up on the first try, but I think it was a fluke because everytime thereafter it did not boot.  Like I said though I was not by the spots you mentioned, so I'm not counting this out yet.

[GameAngel64]

Well I tried applying pressure where you suggested, but it didn't help 

[truenorth]

GameAngel64,When the computer does boot is it always the 1st time after it has been sitting idle for quite some time? Or does it occasionally boot again after it has been on (due to a successful boot) when it has been running for a while?The reason behind this question is:if it never boots successively after an initial good boot it could be that some sort of circuit (could be within a certain capacitor or other individual small conductor)  is heating up(which is normal with current) but is through heat expansion breaking continuity and causing the circuit to fail. This theory suffers if the computer when successfully booted stays running for a fair length of time. If you do get a successful boot will the computer stay on until you shut it down?I know that it is more difficult to access internal parts of a laptop than it is for a desktop.However if it is something you have done or feel you can do on this machine have you tried (don't need to remove it) disconnecting the cables to the CD drive and try booting it with them disconnected?I am asking this as things seems to have changed during your 'memtest" trials with the CD drive.truenorth

[GameAngel64]

If I haven't used the computer in a while, and I hit the power button, I have a somewhat greater degree of confidence that the computer will start.  However, I cannot truly say that the computer NEVER boots again quickly after it has booted once.  But, as you said, I find it is less likely to boot again immediately if I have been on it for a LONG time after a previous successful boot.  I have had no problems with the computer shutting off once it is on - aside for if the screen turned off for power saving reasons.  I disabled the power saving features for now, and as long as the computer manages to boot, the experience is completely normal, everything seems to run fine.

Truth be told, though, I haven't really tried to use it for long spans of time since there are these problems.  The longest I've used it since the not booting thing has become a real hassle is probably around three hours.

"if it is something you have done or feel you can do on this machine have you tried (don't need to remove it) disconnecting the cables to the CD drive and try booting it with them disconnected?"

No I haven't done this, I don't have a lot of confidence for messing around with hardware, although I tend to be a good learner when it comes to computer stuff.  How can one do as you described?  Or is there a webpage with good instructions for doing so?  Even if it's something I feel I cannot do/should not attempt, I could at the very least enlist someone more hardware savvy than I to try it out.

Thanks for all your help!

[truenorth]

GameAngel64, Given your last reply i have less confidence (which is a good thing) in that you have an intermittent short or even a problem created by extended use (causing an open circuit because of heat build up in an internal component).Because it appears that even though you can have great difficulty and little predictability of when your computer will start;when it does it stays on until you shut it off. To my thinking this rules out the 2 causes we have dealt with in our correspondence. As to your delving into the innards i am not knowledgeable re laptops and their intricacies (but there are I'm sure others that are knowledgeable and hopefully will come on board now). My only experience is with a very old Panasonic Toughbook cf-25 which i am slowly bringing back to use. But i don't have near the financial investment you undoubtedly have in yours so my risk quotient is much lower. But as patio said earlier when your shop "expert" said the Mo Bo was the culprit i too am not convinced of that now given your reports.Perhaps if we both say a prayer this evening patio will rejoin the case as he seems to have a great deal more in depth knowledge on hardware issues than i. The best advice i can extend at this juncture is be patient and stick to it. Hopefully other heads will now join and offer their advice. Unless contradicted by others i still would try the removal of cables to the CD drive because of it's impact on things.If even only to eliminate it as a cause. good luck,truenorth

[GameAngel64]

"Perhaps if we both say a prayer this evening patio will rejoin the case as he seems to have a great deal more in depth knowledge on hardware issues than i."

Hehe.  Perhaps prayer will solve my computer troubles outright! 

[truenorth]

GameAngel64, Things are getting really bad --I am lying awake in bed now trying to puzzle this one out.I have another idea.When you are able to boot the computer and it stays running.Have you ever tried to do a "restart" using the "start,shutdown,restart" function of the computer? The reason i am asking that is:if it does restart then it could be the on switch which is causing the problem.I am crossing my fingers that you have not done this yet and when you do it will reboot.If it does then it looks like a new switch will be in order.good luck,truenorth

[GameAngel64]

Haha, I am sorry to rob you of precious, precious sleep.  Unfortunately I have had programs that made the computer reset (i.e. update downloads that require reset to take effect), and the computer has never booted up again, once it gets to the point where it should reboot it just shuts off.  I think I also made it reset through Start>Shut Down>Restart when I was trying to run the Memtest disc, and it just shut off where it was supposed to reboot/run the disc.

[GameAngel64]

Sorry for the double post, but I figure I'll bump this back up in case anybody wanted to see the resolution to this problem.

Upon contacting HP, I learned that my problems stem from a "known hardware issue."  Here is the page detailing it:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?docname=c01087194&cc=uk&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_UKEN

Even though I have had the computer for over a year, HP will repair this problem at no charge for 24 months from the time of purchase.  In any case, I haven't sent them my computer yet, so hopefully no other conflicts will arise.

[patio]

Welcome back...i would be taking advantage of that offer right away...