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HP Recommended

> can I assume that the problem is related to the operating system, either loading or recovering it? 

 

Given that you cannot boot either of the two operating systems, I wonder if the disk-drive itself is the problem.

Were you able to connect the disk-drive to that "bare-bones" desktop computer, and try to boot?  Results ???

 

> Given that the computer does not power off in some cases like system diagnostics and BIOS setup, can I assume the hardware compnents including the mother board? 

 

If you have eliminated the other possibilities ("bad" RAM, and have disconnected superfluous external devices, such as mouse), then what's left is:

 

* the power-supply,

* the disk-drive,

* the motherboard.

 

 

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I installed the hard drive on my desktop, but it did not boot, only saw a short blinking bar on the top left corner of the display. however, I saw all the data in the hard drive by installing it as a secondary hard drive, from the primary hard drive of the desktop.

 

So, when performing system diagnotics or BIOS setup, hard drive has not been involved, right? when loading the operating system or performing system recovery, the computer reads the hard drive, right? if so, it is probably the hard drive or the cable connecting the hard drive and mother board?

HP Recommended

> When performing system diagnostics or BIOS setup, hard drive has not been involved, right?

 

Almost correct.  There is some diagnostic software in a partition on the disk-drive.

If the diagnostic software embedded in the motherboard can access that partition, additional diagnostics can be used.

 

> when loading the operating system or performing system recovery, the computer reads the hard drive, right?

 

Yes.

 

> if so, it is probably the hard drive ...

 

Hmm.  You said that the hard-drive was good, when it was a "secondary" device in another computer.

 

> or the cable connecting the hard drive and motherboard?

 

That is a possibility.

 

Booting Windows, or running System Recovery, places more demands on the CPU (and the motherboard) than entering BIOS SETUP or running HP Diagnostics.   So, it could be the CPU (or the motherboard).

 

Complicated!  :Crying:

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thank you for your help so far, even you think it's complicated, so many posibilities, I feel now very helpless after tried this and that for two whole days. 

 

you're right, the hard drive is good since I can use it as an secondary hard drive on my desktop. I tried something new today. I borrowd a USB CD drive that mounts Win 10 image from a friend, it turns out that when booting from this USB CD drive, the laptop also powers off, like the case of booting from hard drive. Tomorrow I would try to boot from USB drive, probably Ubuntu system, if it also automatically powers off, it is highly probably the mother borad or cpu somehow fails, right? could it be the thermal paste on CPU or plastic cover over mother board? 

HP Recommended

> It is highly probably the motherboard or cpu somehow fails, right?

 

Correct.  Maybe, due to "overheating", if the fan inside the laptop has failed.

 

While the computer is running, can you feel warm air exhausting from the vents?

 

> Could it be the thermal paste on CPU or plastic cover over motherboard? 

 

If the thermal paste has been "good" for a long time, there is no reason to blame it.

If you have some paste on-hand, it costs you nothing (except your time) to try redoing it.

 

Presumably, the computer was designed to include that "plastic cover".  Correct?

 

HP Recommended

> While the computer is running, can you feel warm air exhausting from the vents?

 

when trying to boot, the laptop only runs 10 seconds, too short to get overheated, I also didn't feel heat from the vents during the 10 seconds. also, it's not very hot when performing system test for 1 hour.

 

tried to boot from a USB ubuntu boot drive , also failed, shut down immidiately after selecting boot from USB.  so this makes me more believe that the motherboard/CPU do not work properly. 

 

so what is the best way to test the motherboard/cpu?

HP Recommended

> What is the best way to test the motherboard/cpu?

 

The only way that comes to mind is to swap-out the CPU for a different, compatible, "known-good", CPU.

Also, if you have another computer that accepts the swapped-out CPU, try your CPU in that motherboard.

 

Not simple to do, especially for a laptop.

 

At some point, you need to "cut your losses", by taking the hard-drive, with your Personal Files, and buying a new laptop.

 

Hint: if you are in the USA, access  www.bestbuy.com    -- search for "refurbished laptop" -- you might find a good deal on a repaired/refurbished computer.

Example: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-elitebook-14-refurbished-laptop-intel-core-i5-4gb-memory-320gb-hard-...

It's an HP (of course), runs Windows 10 Pro, and is $212.99, before taxes & environmental fees.

 

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bad news, the CPU seems to be buit in the motherboard, have to find a new board to do further test, which is more difficult for me.

 

I will try to contact the shop where  I bought the laptop to see if they can help.

 

if I were in US, I would definitely buy a new one, however, I am in Norway where everyhing is expensive! thanks a lot anyway for your help!

HP Recommended

>  I am in Norway where everything is expensive!

 

During my trip to Norway, I found that everything was "double" the price.

Even the minimum-wage for clerks at McDonalds was "double".

So, it all evens out -- not expensive for the employed Norwegians, buying in Norway, but expensive for tourists.

 

But, the scenery, the "white nights" in summer, and the skiing, cannot be matched. Ha De Bra!

 

At this point, unless you can find an identical, but "broken", laptop, e.g., broken screen, but working motherboard, for cheap on eBay, and "cannibalize" two computers to make one, it's time to shop for a new computer.

HP Recommended

Scenery is unique here and is one  of very few things that do not double the cost. but sometime white night causes insomnia!

 

prices of consumer goods like laptop are higher than before thanks to NOK devaluation after oil crisis. But the consumer is very well protected by law, acorrding to https://www.forbrukerradet.no/forside/varer-og-tjenester/elektronikk/, buyers can make complaint on PC for five years, I might be able to claim back repair cost in the shop where I bought the laptop. I will bring it to the shop and see if they can do the test and repair Saturday, will update later on.

† The opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the authors, not of HP. By using this site, you accept the <a href="https://www8.hp.com/us/en/terms-of-use.html" class="udrlinesmall">Terms of Use</a> and <a href="/t5/custom/page/page-id/hp.rulespage" class="udrlinesmall"> Rules of Participation</a>.