BleepingComputer.com: Display adapter problem (MDA, CGA) ??? Cant start machine

Im pretty sure this is the problem
i have just now spent a bit of time searching what the "BEEPS" relate to when i try to start this LAPTOP
( I emphasize LAPTOP because of the discussion of passably taking it apart. )


Here we go
This laptop has been turned off for about 2 months. Just sitting in its Shoulder bag in one place in my room. Never touched.
Wife goes to turn it on the other day, plugs it in, sits there a few mins and presses the ON button.
Goes to startup screen,
then almost right away give the following

ONE LONG BEEP
PAUSE
TWO SHORT BEEPS.

then it tells me about a problem occured and a few choices on how to start windows

Normal mode
safe mode
safe with networking
one other
and
it also has the option to use the most recent working configuration to start windows

so i choose (Use the most recent working settings....)

i choose this so i can then get into safe mode and turn off or uninstall anything the computer doesnt need
as well as disable certain things like
USB ports / CD DVD Drive
and then enable things one at a time to find the issue

Well thats not working. It not starting using that option to start windows.. it just beeps at me again and i loop back to the options screen.

Ok so the beeps mean (usually )
Display adapter problem (MDA, CGA)

This is a laptop........ how would i manually deal with this one?
Im stumped

forgot to point out
this machine is only about 3-4 years old at BEST
and almost never used

the most recent thing installed on it was
A) A program to burn DVDs from avi files
and
probably a windows update
...but that would constituted software issues while the beeps give an alternate cause of error.

Make and model of the laptop?

Can you access the BIOS?

i knew i forgot something

Can i access BIOS.. not sure
i cant quite remember how to get to BIOS settings..... advise please?

Also
make and model
HP Pavilion dv5000... fully loaded.

Probably tapping the F2 key on start-up.

Just to be sure, when the PC first starts up you should have a splash screen of sorts. In probably the lower right corner of the screen or along the bottom it will say something to the affect of "press Fx to enter set-up or Fxx to enter temporary boot order".

The x will be a number(s). The keys they are referring to are the single keys F1 through F12 not a combination of keys.

The reason I am asking you to do this is to first make sure the hard drive is recognized.

what line if text should i see to verify the drive is recognized?
If i remember correctly
it would be a sort of boot sequence i can tell it to do.

I can tell it to boot from CD, DVD, HARD DISK, or something else to start windows

If i see the HARD DISC location or mnfg name of the hard disc, then ill know its recognized.... yes?

antifmradio, on Aug 29 2009, 01:30 PM, said:

Yes. It should be on the first screen. But that info will be in the BIOS set-up menu, probably the F2 key. The boot order menu (F12 ?) will not tell you this.

Although if you do go that route and the hard drive is bad you should receive an error when you try to start it that way.

ok got into BIOS
all looks fine in the settings

i DISABLED the bluetooth device
didnt change anyhting else
on my way out i went to the TOOLS tab where i can run i believe an integrity test on the HDD
well i just ran the SHORT test because that only takes about 2 mins

LONG test takes close to two hours... ill run it if i have to but wanted to give my current results.

before i do anyhting else.. ill wait for another reply from you guys and i know youre only helping with the experiances that youve had so far

thanks for geting back to me quickly on this one guys

much appreciated.
id really like to get this to the point of getting at least into SAFE MODE startup and uninstall a few things that dont need to be there

ran short HDD diagnostic test
it passed

tried to start in SAFE = no
Most recent working = NO


not sure what else to do

We will go under the assumption for now that your hard drive is good.

Two other things that come to mind are; 1) CMOS battery (small battery on motherboard) has gone dead. That depends a lot on the age of the machine, how often and for how long it was left off.

2) It is possible that the memory module(s) have worked loose enough to be causing the problem. Should be able to access them through the bottom of the lap top by removing a single screw. There are probably several small panels held in place like this. The one we are looking for is either labeled with an M or maybe Mem or may have a small symbol showing a memory module.
Sorry forget how HP does it and can not access the Wife`s right now to look.

Thanks Thunderz
im really glad you spelled your word correctly when you said "cant access the Wife`s"

THANK GOD You placed an "S" on the end of that word hahahahha

ok so as you can see.. im not freaking out

yes i was thinking it could be a battery related, charge issue.

Now before i go in an try to check MEM sticks, atempt to test batteries, and the like involving taking the machine apart
i want to point out something again so we dont loose track of it



the beepin.... it gives One long and then TWO short beeps when i try to turn it on
Usualy this means the problem descirbed in the subject line of this thread



Display adapter problem (MDA, CGA)

Just wanted to make sure i point that out again before going bonkers taking it apart
(bonkers is a good song by the way )

In your reply you mentioned "how often its been used"
well i think its been used the most in the past severla months ( less then 4 ) then its entire life

i was bought on the road so my wife can liten to my streaming radio station on the go and this was before we got "together"
aside from that
i can probably count how many hours its been used.
its not the primary machine and spending 2000 USD on it for her ment it was NOT to be touched.

I have been using it between Feb - June to burn CDS and DVDs
but thats only about a few hours a week IF i ever get a chance to do that

so we have established that its been WAY under used.


With that new, and republished information
lets see what you can think of next guys....... Thank so far

Just another tidbit of info

wifey said she didnt remember if it went on or NOT ( activity or not in anyway ) when she tried to turn it on WITHOUT it being pluged into the wal


Good one i replied
well i pulled it out of the wall.. let it sit a few mins
and tried to turn it on unpluged using only the batter

obviously its not a condition of the battery pack because it goes on, gives me the same CANT START messages, and beeps at me

right about now.... im beeping back at the computer too so.......

If these are Award BIOS then correct you are. 1 long, 2 short do indicate a probable video problem.

The bad part of that is that from what I have found on the NET, about your model the graphics card is integrated into the motherboard. The fact that the machine has been unused "Just sitting in its Shoulder bag in one place in my room. Never touched." does not lead me to believe that it is the problem.

If it has not been dropped\had anything heavy laid on it,\insert other form of abuse >here<. Then I`m just starting with the basics and trying to work up to the complicated.

antifmradio, on Aug 29 2009, 02:35 PM, said:

Not the battery I am speaking of. The motherboard has a 3.3v battery. This keeps the system (BIOS) clock current as well as a few minor other chores when the machine is turned off and unplugged. They can last for years or go bad in months.

antifmradio, on Aug 29 2009, 02:35 PM, said:

Go right ahead if it will make you feel better. I`v been known to do the same after a particularly frustrating day.

ThunderZ
you know after this we are having drinks yes?
ok so moving into a direction that MIGHT work

lets talk about the 3.3 battery

A) where do i find it?
Answer: Its attached to the mother board.
Ok great... ill have to take apart the machine from the bottom to get to it and im sure its like my old ACER where you needed to take out almost everything else
before you can get your hands on the MBoard.

Ill probably have to look around the net on "HOW TO REMOVE THE MOTHER BOARD" for this type of model machine.

If you have any other advice on this part. let me know.

Once i find the batter. Its it removable and if so.. how do i find out if its no good?
To me this would be the most tricky part.
I no longer have to the tooling i used to. I still have what i need to take it apart im sure
but when it comes to testing hardware...... thats going to be a long shot

unless i can do like most peple and just place the battery on my tongue waiting for a sensation