Black screen with Caps lock white light blinking - 5 long, 3 short

[ChrisB00]

My note has been lagging since I had it. I tried to upgrade the RAM from 4 GB to 8 GB. I purchased a 8 GB (DDR4 3200MHz). My notebook has two RAM slots. I installed the 8 GB in the second and kept the 4GB in their original slot. Everything was working fine until it started smoking. I quickly turned it off, removed the 4GB RAM and moved the 8 GB RAM in the first slot. It was working until it started smoking again. I turned and put the original 4GB back and see if it stop the smoking. Now, my screen is black and the fan is running. I noticed the caps lock blinking 5 long then 3 short (white light). I tried everything I read from the forums to get it to work. Still nothing. Does that means my motherboard is dead? My notebook is the HP 15.6 AMD A6-9220 dual core processor (64 bit Window 10)

[erico]

From your description it sounds as if you inadvertently damaged something when installing and then reassembling the laptop.

You probably need to source a replacement laptop.

[ChrisB00]

Ugh. That’s the news i didn’t want to hear. Was there a certain way to install it correctly? 

[erico]

For someone with little or no experience, I would recommend using the YouTube HP Support channel's videos on removing and replacing parts in your laptop.

Laptops are not generally the best PCs to start with on upgrading. 

When you disassemble a laptop, always use a plastic ray or cup to put the parts in.

Take photos while disassembling the device so you can make certain everything goes back together the way it should.  

You may have dropped a tiny screw into a place where there is power.

That would produce a short circuit and unfortunate smoking laptop result.

Five long  blinks then three short blinks indicates that the embedded controller is unable to communicate with the BIOS. That is not a good sign.

[ChrisB00]

Okay

[erico]

I am sorry to have not been able to give you better news.