HP ze4900 wont boot

[iamdigitalman]

ok, this was my friend's mother's old laptop that he gave me, because it doenst work. it'd make a nice linux box, or gaming machine.

 

When I hit the power button, an orange/amber LED comes on and blinks while I have the power key held down. it's 2 seperate sequences when I have the AC adapter and battery in, and when I have just the AC in. with just the battery, i get a solid oragnge light that comes on solid, and stays on while I have the button pressed.

 

There are 3 LEDs on the front, one marked with an I/O in a circle symbol, one with a hard drive symbol, and the one that keeps blinking has a lightning bolt on it. I tried letting it sit with no batt, or ram overnihgt, and that didnt cure it.

 

Spec time:

 

Intel Celeron M 1.30-1.70ghz

256mb DDR-333mhz ram, one stick, 2 slots, max ram 1gb

40gb hard drive

15" XGA screen

2x USB

VGA port

2x PCMCIA

1x MiniPCI (for internal wireless) (nothing installed)

Windows XP home Editon, want to put Debain on it.

 

any help? I googled, and only found one simmilar problem, on Yahoo answers, but the thread was closed. Also, the manual is a piece of crap, it's only a "reference manual" and includes about 4 other HP AND Compaq models rolled into it. \

 

Lastly, I do have a sneeking suspicion that the thing overheated, componenets expanded, and the CPU came out of the socket, so I tried opening it, but I couldnt get it all the way open. anyone have a service manual?

 

thanks.

 

AMF 4ever -digital

[_-playero-_]

Contact HP, or check this forum

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=3

[iamdigitalman]

nothing there that matches my issue. I went to Hp's site, and checkd the KB, they said to check the power supply, so I went and got onther supply that was almost identical, HP brand, and the output and inputs matched. plugged it in, and still nothing. Wierd, when I just press the power key, i see a solid amber LED for 3 seconds, then it goes off.

 

Also, I was wrong, the number below the bezel of the LCD, and the Product sticker on the bottom both say ze4900, but on the same sticker, in the service tag area, it says: ze4911us, 1 year warrenty, so I doubt the warrenty is any good anymore, and I doubt the HP guys wont help me anymore, just reccomend a new laptop. I dont want a new one, I want to get the piece of kit I was givin for free working.

 

Is build quality really so bad nowadays that computers dont last but a year anymore? I mean, I am typing this on a 7 year old machine, and it works like new, and I have a laptop that is a decade slow, and, despite needing a larger hard drive, and a slightly flaking case (just cosmetic, not a functionality issue), it works great.

 

AMF 4ever. -digital

[iamdigitalman]

OK, just spent 1/2 an hour wasted talking to an HP tech. transcript of the chat follows. Some thoughts: no way in HELL am I spending $298 on a damn laptop just to have it looked it.

 

here you go (warning, LONG):

 

 

Chat Transcript Begins Here

--------------------------------------------------------------

 

Evelyn

Hello Leo.

 

 

Evelyn

Welcome to HP Total Care for Pavilion Notebooks. My name is Evelyn. How may I assist you today?

 

 

Leo LeBron

my Pavilion will not power on at all.

 

 

Evelyn

Could you please elaborate the issue at hand?

 

 

Leo LeBron

when I hit the power button, the light that is marked with the lightning bolt symbol goes orange, and if I hold the power button, the oarnge light blinks.

 

 

Evelyn

How long are you facing this issue?

 

 

Leo LeBron

the light goes off after a few seconds, and it makes no difference if I have it hooked into wall power, or running from the battery.

 

 

Leo LeBron

about 3 days now.

 

 

Evelyn

I recommend you use Power Drain procedure by following these steps: 1. Disconnect the AC Adapter. 2. Remove the Battery. 3. Hold the Power button down for 30 seconds to 1 minute. 4. Reconnect the AC adapter. 5. Turn on the Notebook power.

 

 

Leo LeBron

hold on, performing it now.

 

 

Evelyn

Sure.

 

 

Evelyn

Please take your time.

 

 

Leo LeBron

ok, now, with no battery and AC only, I get no lights or anything, but with the battery and AC in, I get the solid orange light when I hit the power button, and it goes out after 2-3 seconds. when I hold the power key with the battery and AC, it is blinking again, but it appears to be blinking quicker.

 

 

Evelyn

Okay.

 

 

Evelyn

Since you are not able to turn on the notebook even after performing the power drain steps and alternate power sources, I suspect the issue is with the notebook hardware.

 

 

Evelyn

I suggest you to send the notebook for repair at HP.

 

 

Evelyn

Is the notebook covered under warranty?

 

 

Leo LeBron

no, it is not anymore. I bought it back in January 2005.

 

 

Leo LeBron

I still have all the paperwork, however.

< br>

Evelyn

Could you please provide me the Serial Number (eg: CNS34915MC) and Product Number (eg:DS542U#ABA) of your Notebook? You may find that on a sticker attached to the underside of the Notebook.

 

 

Leo LeBron

serial number is CNF4431S4K

 

 

Leo LeBron

product number is PN586UA#ABA

 

 

Evelyn

Thank you for the information.

 

 

Leo LeBron

your welcome.

 

 

Evelyn

I am checking the warranty status of the notebook.

 

 

Evelyn

I have checked the warranty of the notebook.

 

 

Evelyn

I am sorry to inform you that your notebook warranty has expired.

 

 

Evelyn

When did you purchase the notebook on?

 

 

Leo LeBron

figures.

 

 

Leo LeBron

around January 2005

 

 

Evelyn

Leo, the notebook goes with 1 year standard warranty and has expired this year.

 

 

Evelyn

As the notebook is out of warrranty, I can create the mail-in service for the notebook on charge basis.

 

 

Evelyn

It will cost you around $298.00

 

 

Evelyn

Shalll I proceed creating the service for the notebook?

 

 

Leo LeBron

no thank you. I was really hoping I could get this fixed for free.

 

 

Evelyn

Okay.

 

 

Evelyn

Is there anything else I can assist you with today?

 

 

Leo LeBron

no. Thank you for your time.

 

 

Evelyn

Thank you for contacting HP Total Care Real-Time chat support. If you need further assistance, please contact us again at: http://www.hp.com/support/chat. Chat support is available 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week.

 

 

Evelyn

Bye.

 

 

Leo LeBron

bye

 

 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------

Chat Transcript Ends Here

 

any thoughts?

 

AMF 4ever. -digital

[Tornado Rex]

Do you get any system beeps? If it's a problem with the motherboard it should give you a series of beeps, which the manual (or a tech manual for the notebook) should explain.

[iamdigitalman]

 

Do you get any system beeps? If it's a problem with the motherboard it should give you a series of beeps, which the manual (or a tech manual for the notebook) should explain.

nope, no beeps. so is that a good or bad thing? I left the notebook overnight without AC adapter and battery, then did a power drain the morning, and plugged in the AC adapter. i THOUGHT I saw a flash of light out of the corner of my eye, but I wasnt looking directly at it. I will leave it for another 7 hours, then do it again, and let you know what happened.

 

AMF 4ever. -digital

[Cran.]

Hmmm. Does the screen power on at all?

 

I had a problem with my laptop a bit ago. When I turned it on, the screen didn't turn on and nothing happened. It turns out it was faulty RAM. But my laptop didn't power down after, that's the thing.

 

May be the problem, who knows. Maybe go to a local computer repair store that has free quotes or inspections or something?

[iamdigitalman]

I get no screen, and I dont think the CPU comes on, because the fan doesnt spin. Memory is factory, and I was told that his mother was using it, and the whole computer just went out like a light when she was using it. He said she was running off AC, and the battery was full.

 

I am attempting another long power drain, this time for a few days, see if that kills it. Does anyone know if this thing as a CMOS (backup) battery on the motherboard, or does it use the main battery, as some laptops do? if it is the former, then I think the procedure will fix the issue. However, then if it s the latter, then I think it is something else, and I am pretty much screwed.

 

If this doesnt fix it, i'll just take it to the geeksquad, as it is mine now.

 

How you say? His mother's brand new laptop just suffered a broken screen. To what degree, both him and I do not know, as he has not seen the machine on since the laptop broke. Since that is the case, his mother just went out and got ANOTHER laptop, so he is going to keep the one with the broken screen, and run it as a desktop with external monitor.

 

AMF 4ever. -digital

[iamdigitalman]

UPDATE: well, I ripped the thing apart finally, after finding the service manual. turns out the hard drive was the thing I couldnt get loose, but flipping it upside down took care of those two screws. the caddy just slid right out, and the rest came apart easy, though it was a real screw hell, about 40 in all.

 

I blasted the beast with some canned air, checked all connecters, reassembled, fired it, and nothing. same problem as before. DAMNIT!!

 

any ideas before I scrap it for parts?

 

AMF 4ever. -digital

[iamdigitalman]

bump, and update.

 

there is a reset hole on the bottom of the computer. inserted a straightened paperclip, pressed and held for 5 seconds, and upon release, I got a solid orange light for 2 seconds.

 

any other thoughts? i'm holding the power button to give it the flasing orange light, draining the battery, so perhaps that will fix it?

 

if it does'nt, i'll jus take it into some place that does free computer diagnostics. any thoughts as to where I can have it done for free? I know geeksquad charges, so they're out of the question.

 

help please.

 

AMF 4ever. -digital

[Brutuz]

I think that either the motherboard or the CPU are dead, the only way to test this would be find another Mobo with the same socket CPU as that one does and test it.

[iamdigitalman]

I think that either the motherboard or the CPU are dead, the only way to test this would be find another Mobo with the same socket CPU as that one does and test it.

yeah, i'm starting to think the mobo is fried too. I am in the process of getting a new one. usually, they are $150 or so, but I found one cheaper. if the guy doesnt want it back when i'm done with it (he has that nice one with the widescreen on it), I can always use it as a testing environmnet, or use it to play PC versions of GTA.

 

AMF 4ever. -digital

[iamdigitalman]

UPDATE: a possible resurection?

 

Ok, I left the battery out for a good 18 hours, power cord, too. When i popped them in about 5 minutes ago, I got a green light on the lighning bolt LED, and when I opened the machine up, to my surprise, all 5 blue LEDs (power button, and 4 smart buttons) were lit, and the display was lit up in a shade of grey. I hit the power key, the LCD went off, but the LEDS stayed on for 3 more seconds, and while i hit the power key during this time, the orange LED flashed, but each time it lit, therer was a soft popping sound. once the Blue LEDs went off, it went back to it's abnormal self. not, i did not have the AC cord in at any time.

 

I pulled the battery, and will try this again in a day or so see if I can't replicate the issue.

 

I know I am close now!!

 

any ideas?

 

AMF 4ever. -digitql

[iamdigitalman]

UPDATE: I managed to recreate the ble LEDs/grey screen, simply by leaving the battery out for 10 minutes, pressing the power button, and while holding the power button, drop in the battery.

 

I think I am very close now, but I hope someone can help me figure it out.

 

AMF 4ever. -digital

[iamdigitalman]

one more post, and I'll stop being a post whore. but it's my topic, and i'll whore it if I want to

 

annyways, I tore the beast all apart, down to the CPU. the CPU is socketed, and is smaller than other ones I have encountered. the locking mechanism is a screw-like apperati, where a 1/4 turn in one direction or the other locks or unlocks it with a click. I turned it until it clicked, pulled it out, blew it off with some air, and placed it in the socket, and tightened it all the way. I reassembled, and upon battery insertion, I got the 5 blue LEDs and backlight, but no amber LED blinking at me. same thing when i insert the AC adapter.

 

now I am so close I can almost taste it, but I still need help. I tried everything and am all out of ideas. anyone out there in forumland have some?

 

thanks.

 

AMF 4ever. -digital

[Brutuz]

Hmm, I'd say check to see if the motherboard is damaged, and also see if you can make sure that there is no dust on any connectors, My Old system didn't want to start with similar symptoms, like the screen getting a responce from the graphics card, but not displaying anything (Its a desktop, so not as many LEDs) and I clean the dust out and it worked.

[iamdigitalman]

Hmm, I'd say check to see if the motherboard is damaged, and also see if you can make sure that there is no dust on any connectors, My Old system didn't want to start with similar symptoms, like the screen getting a responce from the graphics card, but not displaying anything (Its a desktop, so not as many LEDs) and I clean the dust out and it worked.

yeah, I was blasting it out with compressed air as I opened and closed it, and still nothing. So, fried motherboard then? guess I need to get a new one...

 

AMF 4ever. -digital