HP laptop will turn on, but screen stays blue with moving cursor

[Barkermush]

I have a HP Pavilion dv6 dv6-3122sa
Windows 7 home premium (64 bit)

I've had it for about 8 months, and then today all of a sunden whilst ~I was browsing the web, it started to freeze and was taking ages to load/ respond to clicks. [I did not install anything today, did not download anything, was not opening an email] I was literally just browsing the web like I always do, and out of no where it started playing up.

Then out of no where, I got a blue screen saying there was an error- if this is the first time I've have received this error just let it restart. And it was the first time, so I did let it restart.

But now it keeps going to a blank screen, it as a blue background picture with white rays and I can move the cursor but nothing happens. In other words The screen background just stays blue with white rays, but I can move the cursor.

Just as soon as it loads up to the screen background that just stays blue with white rays, there is a loading bar on the cursor, followed by a transparent grey pop up box that appears for about a second before vanishing.. then nothing happens. I can move the cursor that is all.

I've tried restarting/ taking the battery out etc no joy..


So I went to start up repair (normaly I would get a wizard that gives me the chance to do a system restore)
Anyway it does the same thing, it takes me to the blue screen,shows a grey transparent popup box for a second before disapearing.

I've tried : Repair Computer
Start in safe mode
Start with last set up that worked

It all does the same thing, it takes me to the blue background picture where I can't do anything.

I've checked the hp box, and all I got with it was a box with my Windows 7 unique id number on, and a manual on the laptop and a booklet with support numbers.
There is no boot up disk, no disk at all that came with it. (I bought it brand new)

Can anybody help me please?

 

[gregrocker]

Work through these steps: http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/198538-desktop-problem.html#post1667540
Feel free to ask back any questions to get each step done completely.

If the steps all fail copy out your data per the step given and run HP factory recovery: HP Recover Windows 7 Operating System Using HP Recovery - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

Or you can clean reinstall using this Win7 installation DVD with SP1 ISO, burned to DVD or written to flash stick with Windows 7 USB-DVD Download Tool:
Win7 Home Premium x64 SP1 English Official ISO download

You will need the DVD to do the repairs properly too.

 

[cokane]

You could spend hours and hours and hours trying to figure out how to make your computer work again, or reinstall and pretty much have a clean slate... I think the fastest way to fix that is to reinstall windows and copy your old user profile windows.old. Then delete the old windows.old folder. Only downside is having to install all that software check out Ninite - Install or Update Multiple Apps at Once I hope your computer still has the product key sticker.

 

[Barkermush]

Thanks gregrocker I will try those.

I tried my laptop again this morning, and this time when it got to the blue screen, after a few seconds, start uprepair started, and it said 'startup repair is checking your system for problems ... attempting repairs. Repairing disk errors. This might take over an hour to complete.'

So it got my hopes up, but after 10 hours it was still saying this. So I switched it off because it would not let me cancel the current set up.

This time when I started my laptop up, I selected 'Start windows normally' It went to the same blue screen again, but poped up with 'Start up repair' again...? Even though I selected start windows normally.

It's doing the same thing again... attempting repairs and could take over an hour. I might just leave it on all day and night and see if it does work in the end, only thing is I have to leave it on charge or it will turn off when the battery goes.

Yeah cocakane I still have my windows 7 product key.. its on the bottom of the laptop. But I don't want to lose all my files, I have alot of work on my laptop... also I don't have a cd to do a reboot... I tried rebooting yesterday from the laptop disk.. but it just went to that blue screen again and did nothing.

 

[gregrocker]

It sounds like the HD is the problem, with the Disk Check fouling out which might mean it needs repair first or is irreparable.

I would test the HD now with the maker's booted HD Diagnostic extended CD scan to see if it can be repaired. Then run Disk Check again from the System Recovery Options command line.

It is best to do these repairs, including Startup Repair, from the DVD or System Repair Disk which is why I linked the DVD ISO for you to use for Repairs and have for possible reinstall.

This is also why I linked you to the method for rescuiing your files using the DVD Repair console or Repair CD, so why did you reply that you don't want to lose your files? Do you read for comprehension?

 

[Barkermush]

Yes I read for comprehension, but how can I read something that was not there the last time I was here?

I read your reply this afternoon, after I had already re-tried my laptop.
Also, I never assumed it was anything serious because it just went off for no reason.. I thought it may have just needed a system restore with startup repair etc. If I had dropped my laptop, or spilt some water or liquid on it,and then it had done this, then I would have been more cautious.

Anyway, thanks for your help I will try this.

Out of curiosity, hd's can just break on their own? I've had 4 PC's in the past (all for at least 3 years) and I never had one problem with any of them, but this is the first time I've had a laptop, which is only about 8 months old.

 

[Barkermush]

Ok on the Bootable Hard Drive Diagnostics website it says,

Determine the make and model of your hard drive. Which I can't do because I can't get the laptop to start up to check the

[Windows VISTA/Windows 7 - Go to Start...and type in "devmgmt.msc" ​

.]

I tried checking the box for info, but it just says:
Pavilion dv6, dv6-3122sa
* AMD Turion II Dual-core Processor P540 (2.4 GHz, 2MB L2 Cache)
* 39.52 cm (15"6) Diagonal High Definition HP Brightview
*500GB (7200RPM) Hard Drive
*4096MB DDR3 SDRAM (2 Dimm)
*802. 11 b/g/n WLAN & Bluetooth
*Lightscribe Super Multi 8x DVD+'RW with double layer support
*6-cell 55WHr Lithium-Ion battery
*ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470 Switchable Graphics
with 512MB DD3 dedicated graphics memory
*5-in-1 Digital Media Reader
*Genuine Windows 7 home premium (64 bit)
*HP truevision wbecam
*HP Mediasmart

I've tried googling "​

500GB (7200RPM) Hard Drive" but it doesn't come up with any makes, that are on the HD Diagnostic list. (​

western digital, seagate,samsung, fujitsu etc)

​

If I can not identify the hard drvie make, it says remove the battery and crack the case to determine what make the hard drive is.

​

I will have to do this later, I don't have a screwdriver small enough to get the screws out of the Laptop case atm. But we have some small screwdrivers at work, which I could borrow.
​

 

[gregrocker]

Use the Seagate SeaTools Diagnostics CD which will work for most models and also give you the HD make. SeaTools Seagate

 

[Barkermush]

Use the Seagate SeaTools Diagnostics CD which will work for most models and also give you the HD make. SeaTools Seagate

Ok, thanks.

 

[Barkermush]

It's come up with:

Model ID - Toshiba MK5061GSYN
Serial Number - ZOMNPOJQT
Revision - MHOOOC
Test Progress - Idle

Device 0 is ATA Device TOSHIBAMK5061GSYN ZOMNPOJQT On ATI SB700-AHCI
Max native adress 0
Device is 48 bit Adressed - Number of LBAs 976773167 (500.108 GB)
SMART is supported and ENABLED
Smart has NOT been Tripped
DST is supported
Logging feature set is supported
POH 2035

I've clicked on the Toshiba download link, on the HD Diagnostic web page you posted, and it's come up with 3 downloads, which would be the best one for me to download?

I assume it would be the middle download, that says

This diagnostic tool is available for use by customers who feel their Fujitsu Branded Toshiba hard drive may not be operating normally. It is only designed for use with Fujitsu Branded Toshiba ATA/IDE hard drives.
There are 2 diagnostic modes:

• Quick Test
  About 3 minutes, does random seek/read tests.
• Comprehensive Test
  About 30 to 100 minutes, also performs surface scan.

* Runs only under DOS from a bootdisk.

As it says runs from a bootdisk.

Sorry if that seems like a silly question, I don't really know what I'm doing when it comes to computer hard drives etc. And unlike last time, I don't want to rush and end up using the wrong one etc.

 

[gregrocker]

Did you try running Seatools Quick or Extended CD scan?

I would Hitachi Drive Fitness test if Seatools won't run or to get a second opinion. Hitachi Drive Fitness Test

 

[Barkermush]

I never tried the test before, I never noticed the option.

I just tried it now, I selected short test.

It says started short DST 2/15/2012 @ 1:04.35
short DST FAILED 2/15/12 @ 1:04.43

I shall try the Hitachi one now though.

Edit: Oh wait, I have just tried the long test and it seems to be working.

It says 0% LBA 1443985 11 error (s)

The errors keep going up too, 15 now.

 

[gregrocker]

Only if it repairs all errors would I consider keeping the drive, and I would probably replace it anyway.

 

[cokane]

In my experience repair disk are worthless. The best way to get your machine to get the repair your computer utility to run is by inserting the DVD media used to launch a new install of windows, there is am option on the lower left/right side of the screen to start recovery/repairing the computer instead of installing the OS.

For more info check out the video
Microsoft 70-680: 8.2 - System Recovery Options | Professor Messer - CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, Certification Training



Microsoft has Windows 7 up for download
(you need your own activation code)
Home Premium x64: http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-65733/X15-65733.iso

 

[Barkermush]

It came up with this message:

Please save this code if you are planning warranty exchange. Seagate product warranty status depends on how the product is sold.

Unfortunately, your seagate hard drive has failed an important diagnostic test, possibly caused by problem sectors which are difficult to read.Now is a good time to make sure you have a good backup of your important data.

Seagate recommends that you consider repairing the problem sectors. SeaTools for dos may be able to save you from the incconvenience and downtime of exchanging your drive,

It had found 99 errors before popping up with this message.

Does this mean a complete reboot will not work? And I need to take it a repair shop, where they can change the drive?

 

[gregrocker]

You can get a second opinion running the excellent Hitachi Drive Fitness test CD, but I'd back up my files first.

To replace the HD you can take it to a shop, or do it yourself as shown in this video - which shows replacement with SSD for much better performance, or you can replace with the same or comparable HD:

 

[Barkermush]

Trying the hitachi one now, it says midway through the test again.

"Problem occured on no hitachi device, please contact manufacturer"

Ah ok, that look's simple enough on that video.

Gutted that my hard drive has broken, after barely over half a year.
I'm guessing it's not going to be cheap to buy another 500GB hard drive?

I was warned from friends, that Laptops are more prone to breaking and much more difficult to be fixed than PC's, and I would have been better off buying another PC instead, but I didn't listen.

 

[gregrocker]

Then you might want to try the other HD test which was recommended for your make.

Sorry but I don't give up if there's a chance of repair. I've returned a dozen HD's to service and all but about two are still running. Sometimes it's just a block or sector that needs data moved off to repair.

Do the research to find out what your replacement options are, then hit google to see what it's shopping options are, dropping in buy.com, newegg, tigerdirect, etc. Sometimes I get deals just as good at the local CompUSA counter like the like the $24 stick gigstick of RAM I just picked up which was $25 online.

Remember to remove power, battery then hold power switch to drain power, touch case before touching any electronics to protect against static shock. I do everything in the case in slow motion.

 

[Barkermush]

Then you might want to try the other HD test which was recommended for your make.

The toshiba one?

I've just tried taking the hard drive out, given it a 'blow' and wiped off any dust.
I'm down to trying anything right now haha.

I've just loaded it back up, and it's just gone to the startup repair again.

Do you think cocane's advise could work? If I burn a windows 7 boot disk, and just try a complete reboot?

 

[gregrocker]

I linked you to the DVD earlier so you'd have the option to run Startup Repair from DVD which sometimes works better than the one which autostarts when Win7 fails.

However the behavior you reported since then point to HD failure and which seems to be confirmed.

I would try the Toshiba HD scan so you have a second opinion since Hitachi doesn't seem to want to give one. If it will repair you might be back in business after several passes and a Disk Check.

However I suspect most experts here would have pronounced it dead by now. I'm a diehard.