Computer problem?

Question

This is weird, while I was on my HP Pavilion, everything froze, then when I reset it, Window's wouldn't come on at all, I just got a black screen, yet the power seems to work , and when I press the eject button for the CD drive, it opens.

So what's wrong with my Computer?

Answer 1

First of all be on Safe Mode and remove some programs, check for spyware and viruses and reinstall the Windows. Otherwise you have to format there are two ways:
1. Reboot from the Windows Xp CD and format your hard drive.
2. Use this link to download Windows 98 & 98 SE boot disk on floopy ( http://freepctech.com/pc/002/files010.shtml ) to format your hard drive completly. Once you boot from the floppy, you must run fdisk and check to see if your disk is partitioned. Follow the instructions and delete any partition. Reboot the machine and the run fdisk again. This time, follow the prompts to create a Primary DOS partition. Reboot again, and from the A: prompt run Format C:.

Answer 2

When you restart, does the computer go through POST (Power-on-self-test)? This is the black DOS-type screen that verifies the hardware is working before loading the OS.

If not, I would suspect battery failure. There is a small silver watch battery on the motherboard used to power the CMOS chip which holds the BIOS. BIOS is what performs the hardware check and prompts the loading of Windows. Dead battery, no boot.

Open up the computer side panel and -- taking EXTREME care to ground yourself on the metal frame of the chassis -- locate the battery and use a small, non-magnetic screwdriver to pop it out of its socket. Take the battery to any place that sells watch batteries and get a match for a couple bucks. Take it back and pop it into place. If this is the problem, the computer should boot.

If, on the other hand, the computer does go through POST and freezes or shows an error message such as not being able to find the operating system, take it to a reputable tech.

DO NOT reformat the hard drive using the XP CD unless you want to lose all your data. Assuming, of course, that HP even provided you with system disks. Most manufacturers don't these days.

Under no circumstances contact HP support. Every time I've taken their advice, they've made the problem worse, up to and including actually burning up a couple of computers (as in real fire that requires a fire extinguisher).

If he says something major is fried, you'll probably have to get a new computer. If so, do yourself a favor and stay away from HP/Compaq. More than half the machines that come through my shop are these brands. If at all possible, avoid buying anything off-the-shelf. Go to the manufacturer, or better yet, to a reputable local shop, and configure the computer with only what you want. And if you buy ANY advertised brand name computer, forget about support, warranty or no. Another reason to use the local shop -- you know who to talk to if it breaks.

Answer 3

Reset it? How old is the PC?

My h/p Pavilion doesn't have a CPU fan. BUT make certain the exhaust fan is working.

Had a Macintosh that made the proper startup tone, heard the HD spinning, felt the fan blowing, but no pic - mon was "on".

Solution? change the CMOS battery. Ta Dah!

If you use a surge strip & reularly power the PC down and turn the strip off, the battery tries to keep everything set properly.

If you find the battery WAS dead, get a UPS [uninteruptable power supply] & plug the PC into it - deep six the strip.

Answer 4

If your HP is still in warranty, call them. If not:
HP offers free online (email) help even out of warranty. If you can go to another computer, go to www.HP.com and clk on the help link. You will need your model and serial no. to get any help but they will stick with you until the problem is solved completely.
Other than that, remove power (pull the plug) for at least 10 minutes and try to reboot again. It is very important to remove the plug either from the wall or the back of the PC. not just turning the puter off with the power button or Start / turn off.
Good luck

Answer 5

System crashes can be caused by a number of factors: memory errors, overheating, hard disk drive errors, virus-infected, failing power supply, etc, etc.

Open your casing, do some cleaning up on the dust, re-seat all the components like the graphic card, sound card, modem, RAM chips to make sure they ain't loose. Sniff for any burning smell, if there is one, probably the power supply unit's gone caput.

Then try to power up the system. If it still fails to power up, it could be a hardware failure. Best is to send to your nearest service center to have it checked.

Answer 6

Power everything off because a fan may have died and your system overheated. If this happens again, replace the CPU fan.

The other posters are taking sledgehammers to kill ants. Call HP and let HP support figure out what is going on.

Answer 7

CALL HP COMPUTERS ASK FOR

Technical Support
AND IGNORE THE DUM F==K WHO SAID FORMAT THE HARD DRIVE THAT ONE HAS NO BRAINS AT ALL

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/compare_category.do?storeName=computer_store&category=desktops/hp_pavilion&catLevel=1



DO NOT FORMAT THE HARD DRIVE
GO THAT GUY THERE IS STUPID REX call h-p Technical Support DONT FORMAT THE HARD DRIVE
call h-p Technical Support & they will help you the Technical Support is in the books you got with the hp coputer in the support book

& you have to make your system recover cds this is how you do that copy and save this copy and paste this to a notepad then save it on disk


HP computers no1 they have the verry best recover system of all

click on start /all programs
in the list go to pc help & tool
then click on
hp-pc- recovery tools-cd
noW click on
creat the recovery tools cd
use a cd(r) disk ...to creater the pc tools cd
then click next
and wait for it to creat a
system tool recovery cd
do not stop it at all
when the system tools
cd is created your have
a system recovery tools
cd- this cd will reinstall
all the software that came with the pc and
now coz we have reset the software it will
restall the software that is on the pc and
reinstall windows xp home and set it back up
windows xp home will be reinstalled and set back up

hp-pc-tools cd
this just reinstall's the software that was on the
the hard drive at the time you buy the pc it will also
install windows xp with out asking for the windows xp cd

hp-pc-dvd revovery creater cd
use a dvd(r) disk
to create the revovery creater cd
you will have 2 options
options 1: to just install the windows xp & the software that was on
the hard drive from day 1 without for mating the hard drive
options2: will format the hard drive
and reinstall windows xp with out asking for the windows xp cd
& install the software that was on the pc from day1

hp-cd's & windows & product key cd
your windows product key
can be fond on the side of the pc or on the top
or at the back of the pc
now its best to write that windows product key
and keep it in a safe place
or so put that windows product key in to a notepad
and copy the notepad
to a back up cd put the
product key cd. in a safe place with windows xp & the hp-pc-recovery cds
all in a safe place
now you can make back up copy's of the recovery cd's you have made
with the hp.cd creater cd's you use sonci my dvd to make copy's of them cd's
with hp-pc-recovery cd you can use windows burner or sonic my dvd
to make a back up copy of that cd
then make then as the cds for what they are but make as back copy cd's
then your not get any of them mixed up then put them all in a safe place/with
windows xp cd so no one can damage them

Answer 8

You need the help of a very special help desk. They are great at what they do. Plus they will help you out right away no waiting. The only problem is they work for the dark side.