Solved Laptop screen won't come on.

A

Amacey

New member
When I boot up my laptop, the hard drive light flashes and then turns off and nothing comes up on the screen.

A few things going on with the laptop:
1) The power light stays on for the whole time, until I turn the laptop off.
2) I have tried an external screen and that doesn't pick up anything from the laptop either.
3) I have tested two motherboards and both are doing the same thing.
4) You can hear the laptop fans noise whilst the laptop is on.

What else can I do as I am completely stuck with what to do now :(
 

My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
OS
32 Bit Windows 7
Try disconnecting the HDD and the DVD drive. Do you see the POST's white text (either on its screen or on an external, try booting with its own screen disconnected if possible)? Can you enter in BIOS settings?
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
custom built
OS
Win 7 Pro 64-bit 7601
CPU
AMD Phenom 9650 QuadCore, revision DR-B3
Motherboard
ASUS M4A78
Memory
5 GB yes I run 2x 2GB and 1x 1GB, different brand, spank me.
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT 512 Mb, unknown manufacturer.
Sound Card
Crappy Realtek Integrated Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Fujitsu Siemens P19-3P
Screen Resolution
1280 x 1024 x 32 bits @ 60 Hz Oh yeah, 4:3 rocks!
Hard Drives
(1) MAXTOR S TM3320613AS SATA Disk Device (2) STM35004 18AS SATA Disk Device (3) TOSHIBA USB 2.5"-HDD
PSU
whatever, around 450w
Case
Scavenged from old company PC, 10+ years old
Cooling
CPU fan, GPU fan, case fan, nothing fancy
Keyboard
Microsoft, PS/2, white.
Mouse
Optical, logitec.
Internet Speed
effective max speeds: 70-ish kB/s down 30-ish kB/s up
Antivirus
Avira, free edition.
Browser
Firefox with FXChrome to make it look like Google Chrome :P
Other Info
Was discarded by previous owner due to "horrible performance".
Was running Win Xp from a IDE drive. Yeah. Was a pain.
SATA II drive and Win7 and it zips away! Yay!
I encountered the same exact thing with a new Lenovo Z580 laptop that was used only a few times. Nothing on the screen or external monitor. I tried booting into the BIOS, booting from a DVD disc, USB drive, external monitor, etc. Nothing, not even POST info. I thought the monitor or video was bad.

I removed the HDD and tested it on another computer. It was bad. Sent computer to Lenovo (under warranty) they replaced ONLY the HDD! The paperwork that was included with my computer, when it was returned from repair, made no mention of any testing, reconfiguring of anything but the HDD.

Why a bad HDD would cause a black screen is beyond me. I could have sworn something was wrong with the video or monitor. If they fixed something else, they did not document it. The laptop uses UEFI if that matters. I have no experience with UEFI.

So check your HDD with HD Tune , Seagate Tools or some other diagnostic tool.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
Why a bad HDD would cause a black screen is beyond me.
Click to expand...
The issue is actually caused by a crappy BIOS. Common on laptops or pre-built PCs in general.
It simply looks up for peripherals and if it gets weird signals (like from a failed HDD, DVD burner/player or even USB drive) it can get stuck in a loop where it asks stuff from the device and the device giving weird signals virtually forever.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
custom built
OS
Win 7 Pro 64-bit 7601
CPU
AMD Phenom 9650 QuadCore, revision DR-B3
Motherboard
ASUS M4A78
Memory
5 GB yes I run 2x 2GB and 1x 1GB, different brand, spank me.
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT 512 Mb, unknown manufacturer.
Sound Card
Crappy Realtek Integrated Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Fujitsu Siemens P19-3P
Screen Resolution
1280 x 1024 x 32 bits @ 60 Hz Oh yeah, 4:3 rocks!
Hard Drives
(1) MAXTOR S TM3320613AS SATA Disk Device (2) STM35004 18AS SATA Disk Device (3) TOSHIBA USB 2.5"-HDD
PSU
whatever, around 450w
Case
Scavenged from old company PC, 10+ years old
Cooling
CPU fan, GPU fan, case fan, nothing fancy
Keyboard
Microsoft, PS/2, white.
Mouse
Optical, logitec.
Internet Speed
effective max speeds: 70-ish kB/s down 30-ish kB/s up
Antivirus
Avira, free edition.
Browser
Firefox with FXChrome to make it look like Google Chrome :P
Other Info
Was discarded by previous owner due to "horrible performance".
Was running Win Xp from a IDE drive. Yeah. Was a pain.
SATA II drive and Win7 and it zips away! Yay!
It could possibly be the GPU that lost some of it's connections. This happens quite a lot with the hp's
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Premium x64
CPU
Pentium Dual-Core CPU T4300 @ 2.10 GHZ
Motherboard
KALHO LA-4492P
Memory
4 GB (2+2)
Graphics Card(s)
GEFORCE G105M 512MB
Hard Drives
320 GB HDD
Okay cheers for the information guys, what I will do is buy a new HDD and then throw out the old one, I'll let you know how I get on in a couple of days.

Thanks all!
 

My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
OS
32 Bit Windows 7
I would test that HD on another system via SATA/IDE to USB adaptor.

Normally you should still get into BIOS with a bad HD, since it ISN'T suppose to be in the picture until after the BIOS/POST routine is done.

That's some scary Q&A from HP if this is not uncommon and it's the HD causing it, good to know, just a specific series of HP laptops? [which, please?]

OP, what's the actual motherboard model, please.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self Built Custom
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate Retail Box (64-bit installed) + Service Pack 1
CPU
AMD FX-8350 CPU v1.15 (or 1.0F) BIOS was required!
Motherboard
MSI 890FXA-GD70
Memory
8G CAS-7 G-Skill DDR3 @1333 (2 fours) [mobo nonOC max rec'd]
Graphics Card(s)
Radeon HD 7950 [3 gigs of GDDR5] MSI Twin Frozr model
Sound Card
Realtek High Definition Audio (onboard mobo, ALC-889 chip)
Monitor(s) Displays
2 WS LED Monitors: One LG One Viewsonic
Screen Resolution
1920 by 1080
Hard Drives
SSD for OS: Samsung 840 Pro
SSD for VM and utilities: Adata SX900
7200 RPM SATA HDs for the rest: Hitachi and Seagate
PSU
Corsair TX850 - 850W max, in service since August 2010.
Case
Thermaltake Armor A90
Cooling
Thermaltake Spin Q CPU Cooler, in service since August 2010
Keyboard
Logitech G11
Mouse
Logitech M310 Wireless
Internet Speed
100 Megabit broadband supposedly upgraded from 50 (Cable)
Antivirus
Bitdefender Internet Security 2014 suite
Browser
Pale Moon 64-bit main, also IceDragon, Opera, and Maxthon.
Other Info
CompTIA A+ certified (220-800 series) in July 2013.
Only thing I can find on the motherboard is Hannstar J MV-4.
 

My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
OS
32 Bit Windows 7
I've had a friend that had the same problem. Came out that a cable that is under the cover of your laptop that leads to the screen had gotten injured. Not sure if this is your case, but may be.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Ordi
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64 bit
CPU
Athlon 2 x2 250
Motherboard
ECS A740GM-M
Memory
4GB DDR2
Graphics Card(s)
nVida Geforce GT-440
Sound Card
onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
21'' Philips @ 1080p, 19,5''' Samsung @ 1440x900
Hard Drives
500GB SAMSUNG HD502HJ (SATA)
PSU
400w thermaltake
Cooling
Stock CPU fan, one fan on the back
Keyboard
A keyboard
Mouse
A mouse
Internet Speed
7 down 1 up
Antivirus
KIS 2014
Browser
Chrome
Well the cable looks in perfect condition with no marks of scuffs on it at all.
 

My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
OS
32 Bit Windows 7
it's most probably the bios is not working as it should. only solution is to re-flash the bios. your laptop's manufacturer should be able to do this.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x86
Try booting with the hard drive removed. if it is the hard drive at fault then the system will display the bios splash screen the display "No Operating System found" or something similar. Should be able to boot from a dvd of Linux or such and test the hardware.

DV series HP Laptops are known to have issues with their video chipsets becoming unsoldered due to proximity to the processor and inability of the heat sink to cope. Therefore that is also a possibility. I would try booting without the hard drive, battery and one stick of memory. switch mem sticks if that fails. then you will know if it is the motherboard Video Chipset or another device.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Build MPCBS AMII
OS
Windows 7 Professional x64
CPU
AMD Athlon II x4 3.00 GHz
Motherboard
MSI GF615M-p33
Memory
16GB Kingston DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia 8600 (dual DVI out for 2 monitors)
Sound Card
Onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer H233H 23", ASUS 23"
Screen Resolution
1366 x 768
Hard Drives
(2) WD Blue 1 TB 3 partitions, (1) Seagate 7200 500GB with 2 partitions for useless and frequently deleted data Looking forward do an ssd for os soon.
PSU
Corsair 1100Watt
Case
Apevia HAF
Cooling
HAF AMD High Profile Heat sink and fan
Keyboard
wireless Logitech
Mouse
wireless Logitech
Internet Speed
16 mbps
Antivirus
eSet, AVG, Clam and Clamwin (depends on machine)
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
(9) Win 7 machines all x64 (POS Updated to Windows 7 pro YEA), (4) Linux machines x64 and x86 including a v3000 compaq lappy brought back to life with Mint 9 used to scan drives, (1) Linux Machine dual boot XP Pro (for testing and destroying), (1) Win 7 pro x64/Win 8.1 Lenovo Laptop Dual Boot.
Right so I have tried now to boot the laptop and get the screen working using two different motherboards, and also two different HDD.

There just seems like no power to the screen at all, for some odd reason.

I have a spare screen VGA cable, so tomorrow I will try with a new one of them. However I have tried using an external screen and all I get when I try that is a "No signal" message on the external screen.
 

My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
OS
32 Bit Windows 7
Amacey said:
Right so I have tried now to boot the laptop and get the screen working using two different motherboards, and also two different HDD.

There just seems like no power to the screen at all, for some odd reason.

I have a spare screen VGA cable, so tomorrow I will try with a new one of them. However I have tried using an external screen and all I get when I try that is a "No signal" message on the external screen.
Click to expand...

Amacey
Try this trick. If the screen is black with no light emanating from it boot up the computer then take a flashlight and shine it at an approximate 45 degree angle on the screen. If you see anything Including a dos blink cursor in the upper left then you most likely have a blown inverter. Like florescent overhead lighting the floro tube in a laptop needs a burst of energy to get it going. so the inverter is like a ballast box. Inverters are inexpensive and fairly easy to find on ebay.

External screens on some laptops need the hotkey pressed in order to enable them. usually cold booting a laptop with an external plugged in will work but from my experience not always.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Build MPCBS AMII
OS
Windows 7 Professional x64
CPU
AMD Athlon II x4 3.00 GHz
Motherboard
MSI GF615M-p33
Memory
16GB Kingston DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia 8600 (dual DVI out for 2 monitors)
Sound Card
Onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer H233H 23", ASUS 23"
Screen Resolution
1366 x 768
Hard Drives
(2) WD Blue 1 TB 3 partitions, (1) Seagate 7200 500GB with 2 partitions for useless and frequently deleted data Looking forward do an ssd for os soon.
PSU
Corsair 1100Watt
Case
Apevia HAF
Cooling
HAF AMD High Profile Heat sink and fan
Keyboard
wireless Logitech
Mouse
wireless Logitech
Internet Speed
16 mbps
Antivirus
eSet, AVG, Clam and Clamwin (depends on machine)
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
(9) Win 7 machines all x64 (POS Updated to Windows 7 pro YEA), (4) Linux machines x64 and x86 including a v3000 compaq lappy brought back to life with Mint 9 used to scan drives, (1) Linux Machine dual boot XP Pro (for testing and destroying), (1) Win 7 pro x64/Win 8.1 Lenovo Laptop Dual Boot.
Right so I've looked using a torch and no there wasn't anything on the screen still. I have now tried using a new screen vga cable and also that didn't work. Seems like no power is going to the motherboard or parts. You hear a whirling noise when you turn it on but no fans or anything come on. The HDD light flashes and then doesn't come on.

Also tried booting without HDD and that doesn't work either.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
OS
32 Bit Windows 7
The only thing I can think of that you have probably tried but haven't mentioned is booting with different ram. I have seen ram that has failed keep the bios from accessing any other hardware. Also you can look at the power adapter and or try a spare or universal to see if perhaps there is a low voltage issue. You have tried another motherboard so I doubt there is an issue of power to the mobo (since this is a laptop) unless it uses a DC Jack that is cabled and not a solder on. I would look at those too things. I really can't think of anything else.

When you used the other MOBO did you use the original ram and Processor?

You mention a whirring noise when you power on. Any way to pinpoint what is whirring? Perhaps a dvd in the drive? (pull the drive out and see if it stops). The only things I can think of that would make a noise like that are cd/dvd drive, hard drive (which you said you tried booting without), and fan(s). I would try to boot bare minimum which is:
1) no drives cd/dvd or hard drives
2) no memory or minimal and or different sticks if possible.
3) no keyboard (just unplug the ribbon cable)
4) no battery
5) different power adapter if possible
 
Last edited:

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Build MPCBS AMII
OS
Windows 7 Professional x64
CPU
AMD Athlon II x4 3.00 GHz
Motherboard
MSI GF615M-p33
Memory
16GB Kingston DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia 8600 (dual DVI out for 2 monitors)
Sound Card
Onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer H233H 23", ASUS 23"
Screen Resolution
1366 x 768
Hard Drives
(2) WD Blue 1 TB 3 partitions, (1) Seagate 7200 500GB with 2 partitions for useless and frequently deleted data Looking forward do an ssd for os soon.
PSU
Corsair 1100Watt
Case
Apevia HAF
Cooling
HAF AMD High Profile Heat sink and fan
Keyboard
wireless Logitech
Mouse
wireless Logitech
Internet Speed
16 mbps
Antivirus
eSet, AVG, Clam and Clamwin (depends on machine)
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
(9) Win 7 machines all x64 (POS Updated to Windows 7 pro YEA), (4) Linux machines x64 and x86 including a v3000 compaq lappy brought back to life with Mint 9 used to scan drives, (1) Linux Machine dual boot XP Pro (for testing and destroying), (1) Win 7 pro x64/Win 8.1 Lenovo Laptop Dual Boot.
The power adapter is cabled and not soldered, so I am going to try a different power adapter. I have purchased one so when I get it, I will let you know the outcome. Thanks everyone!
 

My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
OS
32 Bit Windows 7
Amacey said:
The power adapter is cabled and not soldered, so I am going to try a different power adapter. I have purchased one so when I get it, I will let you know the outcome. Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...

No problem Amacey, BTW what I meant by soldered is the DC Jack in the inside of the machine not the Power adapter. I have run into issues with some brands of laptops that route the DC Jack cable too close to a DVD drive that Vibrates. And hence a short or open whichever the case may be. A lot of internal DC Jacks are Soldered onto the Mobo itself which if yours is like that you eliminated the DC Jack issue by changing mobo's.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Build MPCBS AMII
OS
Windows 7 Professional x64
CPU
AMD Athlon II x4 3.00 GHz
Motherboard
MSI GF615M-p33
Memory
16GB Kingston DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia 8600 (dual DVI out for 2 monitors)
Sound Card
Onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer H233H 23", ASUS 23"
Screen Resolution
1366 x 768
Hard Drives
(2) WD Blue 1 TB 3 partitions, (1) Seagate 7200 500GB with 2 partitions for useless and frequently deleted data Looking forward do an ssd for os soon.
PSU
Corsair 1100Watt
Case
Apevia HAF
Cooling
HAF AMD High Profile Heat sink and fan
Keyboard
wireless Logitech
Mouse
wireless Logitech
Internet Speed
16 mbps
Antivirus
eSet, AVG, Clam and Clamwin (depends on machine)
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
(9) Win 7 machines all x64 (POS Updated to Windows 7 pro YEA), (4) Linux machines x64 and x86 including a v3000 compaq lappy brought back to life with Mint 9 used to scan drives, (1) Linux Machine dual boot XP Pro (for testing and destroying), (1) Win 7 pro x64/Win 8.1 Lenovo Laptop Dual Boot.
Yeah no sorry haha the dc jack which takes power in to charge the battery is cabled using a power cable which plugs in on the top of the motherboard under the keyboard. Directly under that is the dvd drive with the motherboard in between., if that makes sense. I will replace the DC jack completely and all the cabling for it and let you know.
 

My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
OS
32 Bit Windows 7
I see.. so as you might observe there is a possibility of an open there. if there is wear on the cabling I would replace it. Since you are replacing anyway it's probably a moot point. looking forward to knowing what you find out. Good luck.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Build MPCBS AMII
OS
Windows 7 Professional x64
CPU
AMD Athlon II x4 3.00 GHz
Motherboard
MSI GF615M-p33
Memory
16GB Kingston DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia 8600 (dual DVI out for 2 monitors)
Sound Card
Onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer H233H 23", ASUS 23"
Screen Resolution
1366 x 768
Hard Drives
(2) WD Blue 1 TB 3 partitions, (1) Seagate 7200 500GB with 2 partitions for useless and frequently deleted data Looking forward do an ssd for os soon.
PSU
Corsair 1100Watt
Case
Apevia HAF
Cooling
HAF AMD High Profile Heat sink and fan
Keyboard
wireless Logitech
Mouse
wireless Logitech
Internet Speed
16 mbps
Antivirus
eSet, AVG, Clam and Clamwin (depends on machine)
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
(9) Win 7 machines all x64 (POS Updated to Windows 7 pro YEA), (4) Linux machines x64 and x86 including a v3000 compaq lappy brought back to life with Mint 9 used to scan drives, (1) Linux Machine dual boot XP Pro (for testing and destroying), (1) Win 7 pro x64/Win 8.1 Lenovo Laptop Dual Boot.
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