HP notebook won't start up, thesis on it...

garmonbozia

I bought a HP Pavilion 9030 notebook about 2.5 years ago and had nothing but trouble with it.

Can I transfer the two hard disks to another computer to retrieve material I need urgently and save it onto a CD or memory stick from a different computer? Are there any places in Dublin that offer a service like this?

I'm in process of dealing with HP support by email but out of warranty so very slow. I think it's a problem with the graphics card.

I had to get the motherboard replaced for same reason 13 months ago.
I hate HP. Never again.

Any suggestions welcomed.
Thanks.

Alanstrainor

Does the laptop turn on at all? Or does windows just not start up?
If it turns on you can try this:

Download Ubuntu burn it to a cd. Insert the cd into the HP laptop, enter the boot menu by pressing one of the function keys when the "HP" splash screen appears (Usually F12 or F11). Select boot from cd.
This will boot into ubuntu, an Operating system that works a lot like windows. You should then be able to access the hard drives and the material on them. With a usb key you should be able to get the data you need off it.

garmonbozia

Thanks, Alanstrainor, i'll try that.

The LED lights all come on but the laptop wont boot up.
Can't access safemode either, just get beeps when I press the function buttons.

Hopefully this works...


edit: No joy, function buttons wont initialize options. Black screen only, but as I said, all the
lights that should be on at start-up are on. Not booting up far enough to access function keys.

the_syco

If it doesn't boot, try unplugging the mains lead, take the battery out, plug only the mains lead (leave the battery out) and boot it up. Get back to us either way.

garmonbozia

I tried that syco, thanks, still the same.

When it tries to boot it omits three beeps, then there's a pause, then there's a single beep on its own.

I also tried reseating the two disks but didn't make a difference.

I also followed HP's website information but tbh it's not very clear as to what the specific solution is, just mentions "graphics controller not functional":
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01732674&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&rule=27958&product=3280472

I think the laptop is fecked.
Is it possible to use my disks in a similar laptop? Would any places offer this service?

Medievalist

The exact same thing happened to me with my HP Pavilion. The lights on the front come on, black screen, and loud beeps. The motherboard is gone...for the third time! Not repairing it again. I just took out the hard drive and put it into a hard drive enclosure. Connected it via usb to another laptop and transfered my stuff over. Using the hard drive as an external backup drive now.

Never buying HP again. This happened to me before on another HP computer too. At about the 2.5 year mark. The base of the unit doesn't seem stable enough to support to systemboard etc, so things become warped and go to hell.

Agent Smith

It shouldnt be too difficult to remove the disc. If you dont feel confortable to do it yourself, lookout for a PC Repair shop, or pc repair guy


If you want to do it yourself

Then what you'll need to get is a 2.5 SATA enclosure. You can pick these up on ebay pretty cheap



Once you have that. it should be a matter of plugging that into another PC or Laptop and copying whatever files you have on it that you need to save.


If you have any questions, please, feel free to pm me

garmonbozia

Medievalist wrote: »

The exact same thing happened to me with my HP Pavilion. The lights on the front come on, black screen, and loud beeps. The motherboard is gone...for the third time! Not repairing it again. I just took out the hard drive and put it into a hard drive enclosure. Connected it via usb to another laptop and transfered my stuff over. Using the hard drive as an external backup drive now.

Never buying HP again. This happened to me before on another HP computer too. At about the 2.5 year mark. The base of the unit doesn't seem stable enough to support to systemboard etc, so things become warped and go to hell.

Yeah I read loads of internet feedback saying the same. Really sucks, because they weren't cheap laptops back then.

Can you tell me where to get a hard drive enclosure like the one you used? Would they sell them in PC World?

Agent Smith

PC world would have them, i think, but if your willing to wait a few days, ebay would be cheeper

garmonbozia

Agent Smith wrote: »

It shouldnt be too difficult to remove the disc. If you dont feel confortable to do it yourself, lookout for a PC Repair shop, or pc repair guy


If you want to do it yourself

Then what you'll need to get is a 2.5 SATA enclosure. You can pick these up on ebay pretty cheap



Once you have that. it should be a matter of plugging that into another PC or Laptop and copying whatever files you have on it that you need to save.


If you have any questions, please, feel free to pm me

Thanks a lot, appreciate that. I'll give this a go.

Medievalist

I literally bought mine two days ago in Dublin :P. I bought it in Peats on Dame St (the one on Parnell St were out of stock). It was €19.99 in Peats and everywhere else (PC World, Maplin etc) were quoting me at least €40 (which is a ridiculous price!). The only problem is that Peats only had them in one colour...pale pink! Still, I'd rather have a pink enclosure than a red face from spending €40.

They are due to get more in stock in different colours. They might have a place in Blanchardstown too. Not sure.

Your thesis should be perfectly safe!

garmonbozia

Medievalist wrote: »

I literally bought mine two days ago in Dublin :P. I bought it in Peats on Dame St (the one on Parnell St were out of stock). It was €19.99 in Peats and everywhere else (PC World, Maplin etc) were quoting me at least €40 (which is a ridiculous price!). The only problem is that Peats only had them in one colour...pale pink! Still, I'd rather have a pink enclosure than a red face from spending €40.

They are due to get more in stock in different colours. They might have a place in Blanchardstown too. Not sure.

Your thesis should be perfectly safe!

I'll take the pink one if it means I can access stuff! The colour will be a lasting reminder to me not to wait 5000 words before backing up material...:o

Will avoid PC World.

Thanks for feedback.

phill106

Odd suggestion but try applying pressure to the area between the touchpad and the keyboard. On several types of hp laptops there is a chip that comes loose there. Keep the pressure on( hold down with fingers firmly) see if problem still occurs.

garmonbozia

phill106 wrote: »

Odd suggestion but try applying pressure to the area between the touchpad and the keyboard. On several types of hp laptops there is a chip that comes loose there. Keep the pressure on( hold down with fingers firmly) see if problem still occurs.

No luck with this. But don't worry, there'll be plenty of pressure applied to this laptop after I retrieve material from disk :pac: