Is my laptop dead?

Peckham

My laptop has suddenly stopped working. Was working fine on Saturday, but when I went to boot it up on Sunday it wouldn't start up. I can power it on, and it makes noises like it's starting up normally, but then makes a small popping sound and ceases boot up (nothing comes up on the screen).

The hard-drive was getting quite full and I had been meaning to start removing unnecessary music/photos. Not sure if this would have anything to do with it?

Would be reluctant to have to dump it, as it's a decent laptop.

Is there anything I can do before handing it over to a PC repair type person for their diagnosis?

I read somewhere else that I should run the reboot disk (which I think I still have). If I do this, will it mean I lose things that I have saved but not backed-up?

dave1982

Is the fan running?

Something similar happened to me,turned out the fan was dirty clogged up with dust

HTB

Has the fan been running at full belt recently.

Does sound like an overheating problem, but it should take a minute or so from cold, to warm up and shut down.

Are you at least getting the initial startup screen or is the hard drive light flickering at all.

Mike:)

Peckham

The fan seems to be running fine. When I start it up the fan starts spinning. I also had a go at cleaning it by spraying air into the fan but that makes no difference. When I was using it last on Saturday I don't remember the fan making odd noises or the laptop being particularly hot.

I don't get a start-up screen at all. From turning on the laptop I get the popping sound within less than 5 seconds. Lights etc. all come on as normal.

HTB

Within 5 seconds eh ........................hmmmmmmmm

No video, its not getting through the POST. this could be a motherboard problem or maybe a RAM problem.

Blowing air into the fan wont always get rid of the problem. I have seen laptops with the dirt matted into the cooling grill and I have had to literally dig it out.

What type of laptop is it.

Peckham

It's a HP Pavillion DV6000.

Have had problems with it before with the screen coming lose from the base, but got this repaired professionally.

Presumably I would need to open it up to investigate the cooling fan a bit more? Wouldn't feel hugely confident doing this.

Might take the financial hit and hand it over to someone who knows more.

HTB

Ah, a dv6000.

I have a couple of those here, gathering dust unfortunately.

They are well known for having overheating problems. Usually its the graphics chip that basically melts away from the motherboard.
Their cooling system is not up to the spec of the laptop and hence the problems. Dont let anyone guide you into a major repair cost, they are just not worth it.
A new motherboard could cost you upwards of €300 :eek:
You will be able to get the data off your hard drive if it is still working (which i suspect it is).

Mike