Problems with startup.

[Protox]

I've tried just about everything. I have a Compaq Presario CQ5110F 4GB RAM DDR2. AMD Athlon Dual Core.

Problem description:
More than a week ago my computer upon being shut down (via shut down in start menu) would not start up after a few minutes of waiting. The problem being that the monitor, keyboard, and mouse all unresponsive. I've read through thousands of threads, fixes, solutions and all are not working anymore. By this I mean the first time it happened I just reset my power surge and started up my computer and it worked fine and dandy. The second time (happened just a few days after) my computer was stuck and once again the same problem. Reseated RAM, GFX Card, everything. Turned out that we just hold down the power button for ~4 seconds and it would turn on (Meaning it was stuck in hibernation.).

Right after I got it working this time, I reinstalled Windows 7 and things looked bright for me. Sadly however the problem remained and so I tried unplugging the power chord and holding it down for ~30 seconds to drain any power, and plugged it in and started er up and it took roughly 10 minutes for it to show any type of response, even though fans are working. So I figured I'd just give my computer time to start up but now it's not even working.

There is an update for Nvidia chipsets that can cause major problems and usbs to be unresponsive so I'm wondering if its that, I want to install it to give it a try, but first I need my computer running and responsive, any ideas?

tl;dr

computer stuck/hangs on startup, no beep codes, problem only occurring a week ago. Completely functionally when it is up and running.

 

[centaur78]

First of what exactly is the problem....

I mean does you computer start when u press the power button..... or is it after you start... while windows is loading that the computer is unresponsive...??

 

[Protox]

Computer starts but monitor, keyboard, and mouse all don't work. Black screen. Led light on power button lights up blue which is normal but the light next to it stays amber which is not normal. Fans stay on for a few seconds upon start but shut off within a few seconds and the computer just hangs.

 

[karlsnooks]

Protox,
Carry out following, just as written, so that we can better assist you:

Update your SevenForums System Specs
User CP (located on the top menu bar) |
Your Profile | Edit System Spec (left-hand column)

To gather info, use Speccy (my favorite) or SIW or System Info

In the System Manufacturer Block, enter:
Manufacturer and Model and
ADD the word laptop, desktop, netbook or tablet.
For example:
Toshiba Satellite L305D notebook.

Provide full windows version info, for example:
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit

Use the “Other Info” block for Optical Reader,
Mouse, touchpad, wifi adapter, speakers, monitor, etc

Scroll down and click on SAVE CHANGES.

You will find that in Speccy, you can select info from the display
using your mouse/touchpad and then paste that info into your specs.

SIW is a marvelous program, but the free version does not offer
this capability.

 

[Protox]

I updated all that I could based off my memory. The computer won't start up or else I could use speccy.

Something to note my psu light is on and power is being sent to my computer. I just reinstalled windows 7 as well around for days.

 

[karlsnooks]

Back in about 45 minutes.

 

[centaur78]

Hmm

Are you able to get into BIOS ??? if so could you reset it to defaults and start

If that doesn't help... open the computer and remove the CMOS battery and put it back in after a min or two. Then start the computer.....

 

[karlsnooks]

Protox,
Do NOT remove the CMOS battery.

Do boot into the bios and reset the bios to defaults.

Let me know if that brings relief.

 

[centaur78]

Hi Karl

Would you care to explain why he shouldn't do it..

In any he has already told us he is unable to boot.... ans his peripheral are stuck.. so the best is to atleast get everything to defaults..

 

[Protox]

I removed the cmos battery one of the first times this problem occurred and no relief. Cannot get into bios out all. Monitor is bkack, all cables checked. Keyboard lights up for a second than 'shut' off. Mouse led at the bottom of three mouse no light at all. Bios version was Phoenix tech 3.59 I think 2009 edition. My capacitors all look fine. Fans aren't really dusty.

The only thing that seems to work is pulling the power chord and holding the power button for the 30s and putting the chord back in and powering on. And holding the power button for 4s

May I note this no longer works. Kinda stumped on what it could be. Wanna know where three problem is so I can get a replacement part asap.

 

[centaur78]

AL right

lets go one by one.... try remove all the rams and booting with just 1. Does it start ??

 

[karlsnooks]

Protox,
With the cover off:
Boot up the computer.
Do you hear any beeps?

Be sure, at a convenient time, to remove power from the unit and using a can of compressed air to blow all of the dust out.

 

[Protox]

Tried removing ram, doesn't start.

No beeps and tried different monitor. No handy dandy air spray will get some soon

 

[karlsnooks]

If even with all ram disconnected, you get no beeps, then I recommend replacing the power supply unit.

 

[centaur78]

did u try booting with either of the rams on either of the slots. ???

if that doesnt work,... try removing the graphic card and booting teh computer with the onboard graphics ?? if it starts up then we have a graphics card issue..

If nothing works try using a spare power supply and not the one that came with system

 

[Protox]

The power supply displays no sign of issues. Ill see if using a different psu is the issue but im doubtful.

Ive unplugged any usbs, reseated everything and tried new monitors, new graphic card as well as new ram cards. Ive tried everything. Lol.

 

[karlsnooks]

Sounds like you are left with:
Defective power supply or
defective power switch or
defective motherboard.

 

[centaur78]

welll dont install any new graphic card.... What u need to check is with just 1 ram and the monitor connected to the onboard graphics on the motherboard... see if you are able to boot. we are trying to start with a bare min hardware...

If still that doesnt work..... then PSU is the last option......like i said try with a spare

If that doesnt work either.... then the only probable culprit would be your mobo.

 

[F5ing]

Sounds like you are left with:
Defective power supply or
defective power switch or
defective motherboard.

That's sounding like what you're faced with based on your description. Even if the power supply and switch are good, no beeps from the board with no RAM installed is usually not a good sign. I've run across boards where beeps weren't used to identify problems but those had LEDs instead that would perform that function.

 

[Protox]

Well what's really confusing throughout this entire process of diagnosing what's wrong with my computer, besides all the redundancy, is that when it's up, it works wonders. Plus I read that the amber light right beside the power slot that shows the blue light means that the computer is in hibernation. And also one of the solutions that worked was to hold down the power button for 4 seconds causing it to wake up.

Picture:
http://cdn1.techbargains.com/icache/2009/10/02/12545134755386.jpeg
top right, left one.

If it is the power supply defecting/dying, why would using a "wake up from sleep" solution work, and work only once?

Edit: Another thing to note is when I contacted HP Support hotline, they were going on about corrupt software files, and primarily that, nothing in there did any of the people I talked to go on about anything related to hardware issues/failures. Another thing to note is this thread by HP:

Link 1:
http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Lockups-Freezes-Hangs/bd-p/lockups

Link 2: http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Deskto...sue-on-nVidia-chipset-systems-now/td-p/188193
^Update for my mobo nvidia chipset. No idea if it has any relation to my problems.