Non-Boot 99% of the time w/Caps+Num Lock Flashing

[DanSanSTL]

Compaq Pressario CQ61.

Things I have done: 

Disconnected and Reconnected motherboard from it's parts.

Replaced 3V battery.

The hair dryer to the CPU vent method.

Cleaned the heatsink fan with rubbing alcohol to clear it of dust.

Held down the power button, with the battery and AC adapter removed for 60-90 seconds.

Re-seated memory sticks (2), tried booting with each memory stick in each slot by itself.

Windows Key + B method, also tried with Key + V method.

The lights at the Caps Lock and Num Lock blink at the same time, blink once for a solid moment (half to a full second), then dissapear for about 3-4 seconds.

The super ODD/UNUSUAL thing about this is that it has happened once a few days ago.  I just disconnected the battery power source and AC adapter, held the power button down for a few moments, and then replaced things and it booted back up.  Now, this does not happen.

Additionally, while I was doing a series of tests in attempt to get it to start up, it did the usual blinking once of the lights at Caps/Num Lock, then a few moments later the computer booted up to windows.  Unfortunately when it did so, I discovered the keys on the keyboard with not correct.  I tried typing and I would get 6's and slashes or zeroes.  With the keyboard unusuable in the most recent bootup of the computer, I powered it down to re-place the keyboard ribbon connector under the keyboard.

I thought maybe I was dealing with a cold-start of the computer the second time this issue arrised, but it doesn't seem to be the case.

What more can I do?  Would like to get this resolved.  Buying a new laptop is out of budget at this point.

[A4Apollo]

Hi! @DanSanSTL, Thanks for stopping by the HP Support Forums!

I understand when you power on your laptop the laptop boots into a black screen and the light on the caps lock and num lock is blinking one time repeatedly.

Don't worry I'll try to help you out.

Did you make any software or hardware changes on your PC?

Are you able to access BIOS or F2 system diagnostics on your PC?

Do you get errors on the black screen?

I appriciate your efforts for trying out the steps before reaching out to us.

As you mentioned when you power on your laptop the laptop boots into a black screen and the light on the caps lock and num lock is blinking one time repeatedly.

This indicates the CPU on your laptop is non-functional. Please contact HP support for service options.

Refer this article to know more information about blinking lights on your PC.

However, Try few steps recommended below and check if it helps.

To perform a hard reset on a computer with a removable battery, use the following steps:
Turn off the computer.
Remove the computer from any port replicator or docking station.
Disconnect all external connected peripheral devices such as USB storage devices, external displays, and printers.
Unplug the AC adapter from the computer.
Remove the battery from the battery compartment.
Press and hold down the Power button for about 15 seconds to drain any residual electrical charge from the capacitors that protect the memory.
Insert the battery and plug the AC adapter back into the notebook computer, but do not connect any of the peripheral devices.
Press the Power button to turn on the computer.
If a startup menu opens, use the arrow keys to select Start Windows Normally, then press the Enter key.
After reconnecting each of the peripheral devices, run Windows Update and HP Support Assistant to update all device drivers. See Updating Drivers and Software with Windows Update (Windows 10, 😎 and Using HP Support Assistant (Windows 10, 8, 7) for more information.

If you are able to access system diagnostics (F2) try running a system diagnostics test on your PC and check if the hardware components are working fine.

Also, if you are able to access BIOS try restoring the BIOS to default and check if it helps.

Turn on your PC keep tapping the F10 key, you will boot into BIOS.

From the main or file menu select restore defaults.

Select F10 to save changes and exit.

If the issue still persists after trying out the steps.

It is a hardware issue with your PC, Please contact HP support for service options.

Link to contact HP.

If the solution provided worked for you, please mark accepted solution for this post.

Let me know if this works!

Have a wonderful day ahead! 🙂

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[DanSanSTL]

Hi there.  Thanks for your response.

I have tried all the tricks to get things working again.  It does not appear to be the BIOS. I concur that it appears to be the CPU.  Although, on two occasions I was able to get the computer to boot up completely and into windows.  The last time it booted into windows, the computer was powered on to a blank screen for about 20 seconds, and then it came up completely.  I have not been able to reproduce this.

I have ordered a replacement CPU.  I will see what results are yielded.

[A4Apollo]

@DanSanSTL, thanks for your quick response and time.

I appriciate your efforts for writing back to us.

As you mentioned you still have issues booting into your PC.

It certainly looks to be a hardware issue with your PC. As you mentioned you have ordered a replacement CPU, I'm glad to know about it. If you still have issues after replacing the CPU.

Please contact HP support for service options.

Link to contact HP.

Have a great day ahead!

Take Care! 🙂

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[DanSanSTL]

I replaced the CPU on my laptop.  This did not fix the issue.  I know I properly installed everything, because I also replaced/upgraded the processor of a friend's CQ61 laptop.

But still, the computer powers up, black screen, and the caps/num lock both flash once for a moment, then disappear for a few moments.

What, at this point, should I try to do?

[A4Apollo]

@DanSanSTL, Thanks for your quick response and time.

I appriciate your efforts for writing back to us.

Did you replace the part with HP recommended processor?

As you mentioned even after replacing the processor the issue still persists.

It certainly looks to be an issue with the system board. Please contact HP and get the service options.

Link to contact HP.

Have a great day ahead! 

Happy Holidays! 🙂

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[DanSanSTL]

Yes.  I upgraded another CQ61 with the same exact processor.  The other laptop booted (it did before and it did after) with the new processor.  M600 Turion II Ultra, socket S1.

What further can be done to isolate what the issue with the laptop is?

[A4Apollo]

@DanSanSTL, Thanks for your quick response and time.

I appriciate your efforts for writing back to us.

As you mentioend you upgraded your other laptop with the same processor and it worked fine.

I'm out of ideas here and I certainly think it is an issue with the system board.

I would suggest you take it to an HP authorized service center and get it fixed.

Or please contact HP support for service options.

Link to contact HP.

Have a pleasant day ahead!

Happy Holidays! 🙂

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[DanSanSTL]

Okay.  Thanks for the help.

I have found the motherboard's product number and I have ordered a replacement.  It is the sticker right next to the RAM slots.

My lucky number was 577065-001.

When I had originally purchased my laptop, I got it custom tailored.  It had the HDMI, VGA, card reader, Ethernet, 2 USB right, 1 USB left and the modem option was not selected.

Gonna be another week before this laptop is restored.

Again, thanks!

[A4Apollo]

@DanSanSTL, Thanks for your quick response and time.

I appriciate your efforts for writing back to us.

Thanks for sharing the part number for the system board.

I did check the part number just to confirm and yes it is a part number of the system board.

577065-001    System board (motherboard) - With shared video memory (UMA) and HDMI video support

If you have any queries in future related to any HP products, you can always reach out to us.

We will try our best to help you out.

Take care,

Have a great day! 🙂

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!