Computer has startup sound then immediately shuts off. Screen stays black.

[Kaelyno33]

A few weeks ago my laptop stopped working

I had sat a drink down and a bit spilled in the area of where my laptop was (but not directly on it) a little did get on by the drink traveling over but seemingly where the little that did couldn’t have gotten into the computer. It would be impossible from where it was.

But after getting the bit off the had got on it and after knowing there was no more. I turned on my laptop.
I was on YouTube and it played for a second and I paused it then it started making this weird buzzing sound that you hear if it gets too hot and you bump it. And a blue screen error came up saying that my pc ran into a problem and that it needed to restart and fix it. The battery wasn’t locked on one side and it accidentally opened (which shut it down). Now I can turn on my computer and I hear it start up and the wireless WiFi led lights up along with occasionally the Caps lock button led and the two lights on the side of my laptop (one is the power led light and the other is what I think is the hard drive light, it’s a stack of 3 something).
The assumed hard drive light is orangeish
And the power is white
But I turn it on the noise cues and the lights cue but my screen never shows anything.
after the computer dies and I plug it up and press the power button once, it just continuously tries powering up and never coming on until it dies again.


If it were the drink somehow I’ve let it air out and looked up so much on where the hard drive might be or even how the hell it got into it and I can’t find anything.
I’ve tried “cooling it off” in front of a fan if it were overheated which you’d think would dry out the drink too if it got it.
And I can’t find anything. I really need to figure out what this is so I can fix it.

[CherylG]

Just a guess based on what you describe and not knowing all details. I suspect that during the spill a drop splashed on the keyboard and seeped down. Taking a few minutes to makes it's way down to the motherboard allowed the laptop to power up briefly. Once that droplet hit any of the circuits-instant death. Anytime liquid is suspected to have made contact it is advised to quickly unplug power cord, remove battery and open it up to flip face down for 12+ hours before applying power.

Once the damage is done there is no point in drying it out. Unless the damage is only to hard drive in which case replacing it should solve the issue.

Maintenance and Service Guide is here:

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-15-f000-notebook-pc-series/7137590/model/7280686/manuals?sku...

[Kaelyno33]

Well the laptop was closed.

[Kaelyno33]

How much would it cost to fix it if it is liquid damage?

But I honestly have looked and looked there’s no signs any of the liquid got in. Except for what happened to it. But I think it may be because the battery got accidentally detached during that “ran into a problem” screen.

Idk this is my only computer and god must be super **bleep**ed up if he just decided that I can go without a computer. Im super broke and buying another computer is impossible, and I really need it for school. So is there anyway that it couldn’t be liquid damaged? Or at least the liquid damage be fixible for under $120 which is all I have?

[CherylG · Accepted solution]

@Kaelyno33

If the laptop was closed there doesn't seem to be much chance of liquid entering the case-at least from how you describe the spill. It may have been the battery falling out and causing immediate shut down- which can damage the hard drive. You can replace the hard drive for around $50 probably if you do the work yourself.

Maintenance and Service Guide is here:

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-15-f000-notebook-pc-series/7137590/model/7280686/manuals?sku...

Example of hard drive you need:

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/wd-blue-500gb-internal-sata-hard-drive/4830705.p?skuId=4830705&ref=212&...

Your laptop shipped with Windows 8.1. Did you take the free upgrade to Windows 10? If so you can use the free Media Creation Tool at Microsoft to make a USB flash drive to boot from and install Windows on the new drive.

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2376-create-bootable-usb-flash-drive-install-windows-10-a.html

[Kaelyno33]

Thank you! I’m going to take it to a shop

[CherylG]

You very welcome. Just don't let them try to sell you a new Windows 10. Tell them you took the free upgrade which gives you a digital license on Microsoft servers to reinstall Windows 10 for free.

[Kaelyno33]

What does that mean?

[CherylG]

@Kaelyno33

 If you took the free upgrade to Windows 10- the hardware id of your laptop was recorded on Microsoft servers. This allows you to reinstall without a license key and it will activate automatically when you connect to internet.

You can use the free Media Creation Tool at Microsoft to make a USB flash drive to boot from and install Windows on the new drive. Click "Download  tool now" and Save it. Once saved click it to run it.
If you agree to the license terms, select Accept.
On the What do you want to do? page, select Create installation media for another PC.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10