Is my laptop dead?

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Finch

2646 posts

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# 180616 15-Sep-2015 12:35

Hi guys. Typing this up on my phone , will try and correct any spelling mistakes but might miss some.

Since a couple of hours ago my Laptop has been somewhat dead.

When I turn it on the caps lock button flashes, the wireless button lights up Orange and the fans go on for a few seconds, then silence as if it isn't even switched on. Nothing pops up on the screen.

I did a tiny bit of research and it looks like my CPU might be stuffed, or something to do with the Bios.

I am/was running Windows 8.1, had the laptop since December 2012. I have tried it with both the battery in and using just the power from the wall. So I guess that means it's not a battery issue? I can't remember the exact model number, HP DV6-7215 I think.

This probably had something to do with the cappuccino that was spilt on it in Saturday I am thinking...

Thanks for the help.

Cheers

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10982 posts

Uber Geek

# 1387838 15-Sep-2015 12:47

One person supports this post

You can try the hidden reset button with a toothpick.

Sometimes a machine will enter a weird power state and that will fix it.

But it will not fix coffee.

Finch

2646 posts

Uber Geek

# 1387856 15-Sep-2015 13:07

gzt: You can try the hidden reset button with a toothpick.

Sometimes a machine will enter a weird power state and that will fix it.

But it will not fix coffee.

Thanks for the reply. I can't find the reset button on the outside, guessing I have to bust my screwdriver out?

More importantly, I'm guessing reset would wipe all data?

I don't have anything backed up (lesson learnt).

lxsw20

2325 posts

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Subscriber

# 1387859 15-Sep-2015 13:10

Pull the battery/power out and hold the power button down for 30 seconds in this state. I would think it's likely dead all the same.

gzt

10982 posts

Uber Geek

# 1387861 15-Sep-2015 13:16

Screw driver not required. Try the above, or check your manual for the reset location. It resets only the power state, nothing else.

richms

22739 posts

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Trusted

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# 1387863 15-Sep-2015 13:17

How much coffee and where? Few drips in the keyboard shouldnt do any damage but quarter cup will.

I would say its dead anyway. Talk to your insurance company.

Richard rich.ms

Rickles

2041 posts

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# 1387867 15-Sep-2015 13:20

Could be symptomatic of overheating ... run the vacuum cleaner over all the gaps and holes and air vents.

Sideface

5516 posts

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# 1387868 15-Sep-2015 13:21

One person supports this post

(note the coffee mug)

Sideface

Finch

2646 posts

Uber Geek

# 1387870 15-Sep-2015 13:26

richms: How much coffee and where? Few drips in the keyboard shouldnt do any damage but quarter cup will.

I would say its dead anyway. Talk to your insurance company.

Hard to say how much it was, probably 5-8 table spoons worth of a cup. It went on the screen, but mostly on the speaker grills and the keyboard.

I suspect when it went through the speaker grills it went straight through.

Forgot the mention on Saturday, after the spillage, it turned off by itself without warning. No shutting down screen, just straight off as if you were watching TV and somebody turned the switch off.

jonb

1496 posts

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# 1387871 15-Sep-2015 13:26

My old DV6 died with the same symptoms, minus the cappuccino, it had been running hot for a long time the soldering around the graphics chip or cpu got worn out. There was a guide I tried to follow to reseat the chip but had no success.

Data wise you should be ok, just take out the hdd and attach it to something like this, can rescue the data, then use it as a backup drive for your new computer.

Rickles

2041 posts

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# 1387878 15-Sep-2015 13:39

Some motherboards can be cleaned with distilled water, and then dried to run again depending on water/coffee damage .... maybe worth getting a tech to at least take a look?

Finch

2646 posts

Uber Geek

# 1387882 15-Sep-2015 14:00

Alright just got off the phone to the insurer. Supposedly they want to try and repair it first up.

My main concern is that my Emails, CC stored details and just general files etc are now wide open.

Might have to ring the bank and get them to lock down my account or something.

What are the chances of them being able to repair a dead laptop?

Sideface

5516 posts

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# 1387883 15-Sep-2015 14:04

Finch: Alright just got off the phone to the insurer. Supposedly they want to try and repair it first up.

My main concern is that my Emails, CC stored details and just general files etc are now wide open.

Might have to ring the bank and get them to lock down my account or something.

What are the chances of them being able to repair a dead laptop?

A better question is what are the chances they can save some or all of the data? - your HDD is probably OK.

Sideface

wellygary

4188 posts

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# 1387884 15-Sep-2015 14:07

Should I be the annoying one who asks about the status of your backups?

Finch

2646 posts

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# 1387887 15-Sep-2015 14:15

wellygary: Should I be the annoying one who asks about the status of your backups?

Hey mate.

Posted in the first post, nothing backed up lol.

Kind of thinking I should just get my HDD out of this, and buy a new laptop. Rather than having it get sent away and running the risk of never getting my data back.

bazzer

3309 posts

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# 1387891 15-Sep-2015 14:28

Finch:
wellygary: Should I be the annoying one who asks about the status of your backups?

Hey mate.

Posted in the first post, nothing backed up lol.

Kind of thinking I should just get my HDD out of this, and buy a new laptop. Rather than having it get sent away and running the risk of never getting my data back.

Pull it out, back it up, format it and send it off for repair?

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