Probook 4540s not turning on

[kaylingovender]

I have this old i3 Probook 4540s (about +/- 5 years old). Everything was fine up until about a month ago when it started giving problems. When I used to turn it on, the power button and connectivity buttons (on the top right of the keyboard section) came on, but not the screen. After a while the caps lock light would also come on and flash. After a minute or so, the fan begins spinning real fast, at which point I turn off the laptop (via the power button, as there was still no display on the screen) and restart in the attempts to fix it. In the past few weeks it was suggested that I remove the ram card and clean the contacts, which I did and it seemed to work, however this quickly stopped working. I then discovered that keeping the device plugged in for a few minutes before attempting to start it up seemed to work. As of last night this no longer works though, as even though the device is plugged in, the light to indicate the laptop is charging no longer comes on. The laptop was on when I noticed it, checking the battery status, I found that the laptop was plugged in but not charging. Advice on this matter would be very much appreciated. I am currently running a 64 bit version of Windows 10

[pritam2015]

Hi,

                    Viruses are causing this issue, try to clean install the OS.

                      Here  is complete guide: https://techsimplifier.blogspot.in/2017/08/how-to-install-windows-what-is-clean.html

                   As you said it was 5-6 years old notebook dust also causes these types of issues there might be a lots of dust inside of your notebook, try to clean it out by using air blower.

[kaylingovender]

Hi

A few weeks ago after the ram card fix no longer worked, I moved all documents and files from my hard drive to an external and then clean installed windows 10 (i.e. via the recovery option in settings, not via the method in the link). The problem still persisted, so I opened up the laptop to see if there was another issue (there wasn't, but this was around the same time I found plugging the laptop in for a few minutes before start up fix) and I cleaned it up to the best of my ability (don't have an air blower, so I used a cloth and brush to just clean off the dust). The problem still persisted. Should I try the method in the link or would it be the same as the boot I did ?

[pritam2015]

Hi,

                  You have tried a clean install of OS using HP recovery drive so, it doesn't make any sense to repeat this method using windows iso as I mentioned earlier.

                   I think this might be a hardware issue because reinstalling the operating system (Windows 10) fixes all types of software problems. In this case, you can't fix this problem on your own but you can detect where is the problem using HP hardware diagnostic tool.

1. Power off the notebook.
2. Press esc repeatedly as soon as you press the power button.
3. Select System diagnostic.
4. Select Full system test.

Note down the LED blinkings and beeping sounds on startup. This also indicates various hardware failures.

Visit nearest HP service center for hardware repair/replacement (if any).

[kaylingovender]

Got into diagnostic tool. there was no option for a full system test, only memory and hard disk checks. Ran both, both passed. Could it be an issue with the battery or something related ? I've tried 2 different charging cables (I.e. I tried different combinations of power brick and power cord) it still gives the 'plugged in, not charging' message on the battery in the icon tray.

[kaylingovender]

I have checked and the light above the charging port is still operation. When I plug in the power cord or place the battery brick back in the laptop, the light flashes on and then goes off immediately.

[pritam2015]

Hi,

                HP diagnostics is no longer available on your notebook, Download it from this link and install it on the USB drive. Plug in this USB into your notebook and run the diagnostic tool again.

               Select System tests.

              Remove all removable devices (Do not remove battery) and press power button now check the LED sequence. 

[kaylingovender]

Hi finally got a chance to perform this test today. The power socket light has still not come on, the message 'plugged in, not charging' is still appearing. The results of the check are:

Battery check : primary-ok (0) secondary- not installed (60)
Processor check:passed
Wireless module check:passed
Hard drive smart check:passed
Hard drive short dst check:passed
Hard drive optimized dst check:passed
Hard drive long dst check:passed
Memory extensive check:passed (tested 3.74GB)
Video memory check:passed
System board check:passed

System extensive test:passed

Please note, I performed the system extensive test once.

Please advise on next steps from here

[kaylingovender]

Oops. Seemed some turned to emojis. Where the emojis have appeared, : p is in their place

[pritam2015]

Hi,

            Can you mention the behavior of your notebook when you press the power button? Please mention the error code, led indications, etc. (if any).