HP Pavilion black screen

#1 pedalpusher

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Posted 31 October 2011 - 01:38 PM

I have an HP Pavilion NS876AV laptop that is two years old. When I turn it on the fan runs but two lights blink (one above the end/pg up buttons and one to the left of the caps lock button) and the screen is blank. I thought the problem was solved three weeks ago by reseating the memory chips, but the blank screen and blinking lights returned yesterday and I cannot fix the problem.

This post has been edited by pedalpusher: 31 October 2011 - 01:38 PM

#2 Ken-B

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Posted 01 November 2011 - 04:35 PM

If you had this problem previously and reseating the RAM modules fixed it for a short period -
Try taking the RAM out again and this time put just one back.

Try booting the machine.

If it does not boot try the other Module by itself.

Your machine will boot up and run on just one RAM module.
It may run a bit slower - but it will run.
If it boots up on one module - but not the other - then you have found your problem.

#3 pedalpusher

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Posted 01 November 2011 - 06:57 PM

Ken, Thanks for the suggestions. I contacted HP tech support this morning and will have the CDs to correct the BIOS problem by Friday.

#4 Ken-B

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Posted 02 November 2011 - 07:19 AM

It will be interesting to hear the results

If these CDs are "Recovery Disks" please be aware that when you use them you will lose all files and data off the hard disk.
If they ARE Recovery Disks there are ways to get at your data before you use them.

This post has been edited by Ken-B: 02 November 2011 - 07:22 AM

#5 pedalpusher

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Posted 02 November 2011 - 08:20 AM

Ken,

How do I recover files before I use the recovery disks?

#6 Ken-B

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Posted 02 November 2011 - 09:23 AM

Hi,

One way is to connect it to a second machine via a hard drive to USB adapter.
Similar to this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/SATA-Transfer-Adapter-Power-Drives/dp/B004ND4632/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1320243667&sr=8-2

You can then treat the drive as a memory stick.
If it can be accessed you can extract the data.

If it cannot be accessed it is possible to run a diagnostic test on it and possible correct any errors.

==============
Did you try the RAM one at a time ?

This post has been edited by Ken-B: 02 November 2011 - 09:25 AM

#7 pedalpusher

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Posted 02 November 2011 - 02:44 PM

Ken,

Yes, I did try one RAM at a time and nothing changed. The recovery disks will return the hard drive to the original configuration. I have a backup disk and don't have any data files saved on this computer and I don't think I have installed any new programs since the backup was done. AT any rate I have all my original disks and can reinstall.

#8 Ken-B

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Posted 02 November 2011 - 02:50 PM

When it comes to using the Recovery Disks you may need to access the BIOS to make the DVD-CDROM the first boot device.
Try them first - any problems we can take a look at the boot order.

#9 pedalpusher

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Posted 02 November 2011 - 03:12 PM

I cannot get the computer to read the DVD. HP support now says that the BIOS is corrupted and the computer needs to be completely reprogrammed by HP. The cost is less than 1/3 the value of the machine, so it sounds like a good idea to have it repaired.

#10 Ken-B

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Posted 02 November 2011 - 05:45 PM

Can you confirm that the DVD CDROM is the first boot device in the BIOS.

You could try taking the CMOS battery out for 1 minute - this will reset the BIOS to default settings.
Note that the + is on top.

#11 pedalpusher

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Posted 02 November 2011 - 08:08 PM

Thank you for all your suggestions, but I have already paid for the repair from HP. I will try to get the SATA cable from a local store so I can retrieve my data files before I ship the computer off.