HP pavilion 6700 won't start-turns off and on, shuts down before LEDs blink [ Edited ]

[wordsconnect]

hi -

My problem is with my mother's notebook. HP pavilion 6700 (says dv6000 on the outside, model #dv6915), Vista 32-bit.

It won't start. When I power it on, the LEDs flash for one second, then go off for a few seconds, then flash on for a second, and repeats until I press and hold the power button to turn it off.  Nothing ever shows on the screen.

From what she described before it started exhibiting the problem, she saw strange video (diagonal lines, a "lightning bolt" shape along the bottom of the screen), then it turned off.

I've tried everything I can find on this site:

-removing the battery and doing a hard reset (holding down power button for 30 secs), starting only on AC power.

-removing and resetting the memory

-removing and resetting the "button" battery (CMOS?)

-removing and resetting the hard disk

-plugging in an external monitor

I've tried to boot to the BIOS menu by pressing F10 repeatedly while it starts and pressing Esc repeatedly while it starts. When I do this, the power and LEDs stay on, but nothing more happens. It just sits there until I turn it off.

I've tried inserting the restore disk and restarting, including pressing the F10 and Esc button while the disk is inserted.  The CD light stays on and I can hear it whirring for about a minute, then it stops.  Nothing ever shows on the screen.

Can anyone suggest more options?

Thx!

[SSDdrive]

Hello,

I do believe that what the issue comes down to is a dead graphic card. If the laptop is still under warranty, please contact Hp.

If it were a rattler. . . .

[wordsconnect]

thanks for the reply. The computer is 4 years old, so no warranty.

Is a graphics card replacement likely to cost me hundreds of dollars? Is it possible to buy a replacement card? 

If so, I might as well just replace it.  I saw a decent looking HP at Best Buy with a 17 in monitor for $350...

[SSDdrive]

Hello,

   And, 'Yes,' you should probably invest in a new computer; technology has advanced lightyears in the past 4 years.

If it were a rattler. . . .