Hp m9500z crashed, able to restart and restore, now no HP splash screen, just hangs

[Frank_H]

Hp m9500z crashed, able to restart and restore, now no HP splash screen, just hangs. after unplugging power for several hours, i was able to get system running, ran disk scans for errors, no problem.  few minutes after vista is up it crashed again.  when restarting all fans run full speed, no hp splash screen on boot, nothing.  i have tried resetting CMOS using the jumper trick, nothing.  removed the battery, nothing.  i have even tried the blind tricks i have seen suggested, like pressing F10 for 8 seconds, etc.  during one of the last times before it totally died out i ran the BIOS system diagnosis, everything was fine.  I am thinking I have a corrupted bios.  Any ideas? Could be a fried motherboard, but I am hoping its not that bad.  Product num nh836av-aba.

[davida_spac · Accepted solution]

From your description I would suggest unplugging the video card and trying the onboard video.  Your mb specs should be these: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01635688&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en

Please ensure you have some esd protection and NEVER delve into your unit without first physically unplugging it from the power at the wall

[Frank_H]

I will give that a try, although they put black covers screwed onto the onboard vga, and somewhere it said onboard video will be unavailable if there was an upgraded card put in on order, which there was.  idk if that means its disabled with add on card, or it was disabled at factory.

[JerrySNB]

I know this is a cliche, but this really does sound like a power supply problem.

If only there were a supply of spares somewhere.

Actually, some places will actually take a power supply back if you are quick about it (like the same day).

[JerrySNB]

I left out one comment: on many, if not all, PCs made in the last several years the power supply and the motherboard are so intertwined that it could be either causing the problem. I've had poor luck fixing problems by replacing the power supply.

[Frank_H]

I haven't had the chance to swap video, but will try today.

i do not believe it is the power supply as number 1, the green light on back of power supply is on, what i have read on hp support forums before is green is good.  number 2, all fans are running full speed (symptoms of bios issue, what i have read).  i think if power supply were bad or going bad there would be inconsistencies on fan speeds, and each start up would be different with different symptoms, including fan on power supply.  i have had good luck on replacing power supplies in the past, when the symptoms indicate power supply, eg. fan speeds, no fans, nothing from ps fans, no lights anywhere, etc. but i could be wrong.

where are the HP experts that are supposed to be here today?  I need help!!!

[JerrySNB]

You might be right about the power supply. I have seen the fans start running and shut down, and cases where the fans just kept running.

As for the green light on the back, I'm not sure what it is really telling you. It stays on for awhile after the machine is unplugged, so it is undoubtedly indicating some latent charge in there somewhere. Plugging in an unpowered USB device will kill it instantly if the machine is unplugged.

Conversely, and rather scarily, a powered USB hub can keep that green light on indefinitely. I don't think that's supposed to happen, but I haven't researched the issue yet.

I'm not sure why davida_spac suggested the video card, but it's a zero-cost thing to try. 

[Frank_H]

I removed the video card and tried onboard video, no luck.  tried the cmos jumper trick, no luck. removed battery, removed all cards, disconnected all drives, nothing.  I 1 by 1 reconnected drives and replaced all cards, removing battery after each item replaced, nothing.  I then pulled the PCI-E video card out again and tried onboard video, nothing.  I put the video card back in again, like 4th time, with monitor connected to onboard video.  when I started it up the fans went from full speed to slow, pressed F10 a few times and moved the monitor to the PCI video card.  IT WORKED!

It seems the BIOS was corrupted/confused about if it was onboard video or video card and removing and replacing it so many times might have gotten it to finally reset.

Looking at other posts, I have seen other issues similar to mine, but people have just been replacing motherboards.  I think the HP peeps should suggest try pulling out and putting back in the video card numerous times to see if that jump starts things.

Thanks for the help Davida!!!

[Frank_H]

Full post for fix is down below, but you put me on the right track, thanks Davida!

[Frank_H]

Problem returned after 2 days.  seems like motherboard, which looks pretty expensive by searching for the same board.

I am not happy with HP about this, as the computer is 2 1/2 years old,  my fathers machine is over 3 years old with no problems, mothers is about 5 years old with problems that were fixable, and a sister that has an HP laptop about 3 years old with no problems.  Forums don't seem to help, and paying for support is rediculous.  I understand a company making money, but it would be nice for an HP support person to drop in once in a while and tell you 'it sounds like this' or 'it sounds like that'.  Its just guesswork on the support forums it seems.

Strange thing is I am posting this on a 15 year old Gateway, same HD and everything.  Loud as a hair dryer, but at least it still works.

I guess I will consider Dell, as I thought HP was the best, but after a machine dies after 2 years, I have lost faith.

Did I mention how angry and upset I am with HP?