compaq n1015v - faulty - lights are on but no ones home

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Morgenmuffel

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#58984 24-Mar-2010 13:59

Hi

Wifes laptop, we turned it on one day and it didn't go.

Battery has been dead for ages, we have been running it off the AC.

When plugged in and turned on, 2 lights turn on;.

The one at the front, that indicates the battery is charging

The one above the keypad that indicates AC power is being used,

and thats it, no noise, no other lights, no flicker from the screen zilch nada zip.

So my question is this

What should I look at, and how much will a computer shop charge me to look at it and diagnose the problem

Thanks

'We love to buy books because we believe we’re buying the time to read them.' WARREN ZEVON

Morgenmuffel

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#310759 24-Mar-2010 14:29

should add, laptop has 2 sticks of ram have tested removing one, then swapping out the other, then taking both out - no change
have also tested without harddrive - no change
have tested without battery attached - (only difference is battery recharging light didn't go)

'We love to buy books because we believe we’re buying the time to read them.' WARREN ZEVON

Morgenmuffel

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#312453 29-Mar-2010 16:01

Hello.
Is there anybody in here?
Just nod if you can hear me.
Is there anyone home?

'We love to buy books because we believe we’re buying the time to read them.' WARREN ZEVON

jaymz

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#312470 29-Mar-2010 16:44

I have had a similar issue with a HP laptop (can't remember the model) It starts up, but nothing appears on the screen. I tracked it down to a faulty motherboard.

A few things to check:

CPU check - Pull out all the RAM from the laptop and start it, if the CPU is working you should get beep codes (maybe something on the screen but not always)
If you get beep codes, it might be the RAM that is stopping the boot (although you said you tried this)

No beep codes point to either CPU, Motherboard or PSU. I was lucky enough to have a working CPU to test. I got the same result. I put it down to motherboard seen as the PSU is built into it.

The only thing I would suggest is systematicaly remove parts and test. (including the optical drive and keyboard)

One thing that just popped into my mind, what happens if you start it with an external screen connected? does anything display on that? maybe it is a toasted screen?

Hope this helps :)

bigal_nz

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#314534 4-Apr-2010 06:44

I could probably fix it for ya if you want to bring it over. I am in Auckland.

Morgenmuffel

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#315815 7-Apr-2010 17:11

Thanks for the offer Bigal, but i am a little far away,

the machine has been tested, sans ram with no change

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lxsw20

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#316085 8-Apr-2010 10:32

From what you describe, most likely a system board fault, you should be able to get pricing through visparts, but I?d say not worth it.

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bigal_nz

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#316303 8-Apr-2010 18:52

lxsw20: From what you describe, most likely a system board fault, you should be able to get pricing through visparts, but I?d say not worth it.

I beg to differ. Lots of mainboard faults can be fixed at the component level. You do need to find a place that does component level repairs tho.

They do exist in NZ...

-Al

lxsw20

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#316902 10-Apr-2010 23:54

bigal_nz:
lxsw20: From what you describe, most likely a system board fault, you should be able to get pricing through visparts, but I?d say not worth it.

I beg to differ. Lots of mainboard faults can be fixed at the component level. You do need to find a place that does component level repairs tho.

They do exist in NZ...

-Al
?

Look at the laptop specs, its at least 5 years old. You would be paying what $100p/h+ for someone with that skill set, with maybe an hour to an hour and a half just for dis assembly and assembly, and say another hour to fault find, and possible component cost.

I'm going to stick with not worth it.

Out of interest, who does component level repairs in NZ on laptop boards? (More than a simple socket replacement)

bigal_nz

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#316933 11-Apr-2010 08:14

NZ Laptops in Pakuranga can - they have two techs who are amazing.

I can even do some basic stuff myself, but no where near as good as NZL techs.

Morgenmuffel

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#317015 11-Apr-2010 14:52

Cheers guys

I had a brief look on trademe and comps with similar specs, are going for very little. so repairing is probably not worth it, which sucks because it has been a reliable workhorse. but well i am realising the costs are well above my single figure budget

other things i looked at

I did notice a couple of people mentioning that the on switches on their evos sometimes need to be pressed 3 or 4 times to make the machine boot, and on inspection of my machine the start button does seem to be sitting marginally lower than the silver surround however it does seem to click correctly although it seems a bit softer reaction than any of the other keys, but thats probably because it is the most used button on that row.

People have mentioned the bios battery, but that doesn't make sense to me, as the machine should still boot to an error screen like desktops do, (or are laptops different in this regard?)

or that the little Hibernate switch that gets activated when you close the lid is stuck so the machine doesn't know th lid is open so it won't start, but that seems to go up and down ok, so it is probably not that

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Morgenmuffel

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#446989 9-Mar-2011 15:37

I'm back on this again, need to get it running, and am fairly broke as job is goneburger.

I see a number of diagnostic cards (for really cheap on TM and dealextreme) you plug in to laptops that supposedly tell you whats wrong with them, would that work on this machine, or would the machine need to POST first? or is this machine to old for them

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#446997 9-Mar-2011 15:54

Problem with the diagnostics stuff is that it might show you what the fault is, but you still have to get it fixed and if its at the component level, its not really worth bothering with. (IMHO anyway)

You can try locating a service manual for it, and take the case apart to find the CMOS battery and try booting after its reset...but some of those cases are a pain to take apart.

XPD / Gavin

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Morgenmuffel

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#449719 18-Mar-2011 18:03

I know, i know but i hate that i can't troubleshoot it. with a desktop, you can at least swap bits out, but a laptop aarrghh.

Also because knowing my luck it'll be something simple, although as its a laptop its probably still expensive

'We love to buy books because we believe we’re buying the time to read them.' WARREN ZEVON