Black screen, caps lock led blinks once, while power led flashes white and orange

[luliii66]

hi guys, my laptop died a few months ago. I took it to a random pc service and they could not repair it nor tell me what was wrong with it.

it always does the same thing. when pressing the power button, it lights up, even the fan starts working, all with a blank screen. then shuts off, and the caps lock led blinks one time, long. at the same time, the power led blinks between white and orange, fastly 4 times.

I brought this laptop reassambled from usa (im from latam) and it was working perfectly fine, but it randomly died while using it and i could never make it start again. before service i tried taking out battery, then ram, even fan but nothing happened.

thanks beforehand !!

[YourITBuddy]

It sounds like you're dealing with a frustrating hardware issue with your HP EliteBook 840 G3, especially after a previous repair attempt didn't resolve it. The blinking LED codes are key indicators of what might be wrong.

Here's a breakdown of what those codes typically mean for HP laptops:

Understanding the Blink Codes

• Caps Lock LED: One long blink

  This usually points to a CPU (Central Processing Unit) failure. The system is likely failing its power-on self-test (POST) because it cannot initialize or detect the CPU correctly.

• Power LED: Blinks white and orange rapidly 4 times

  While the Caps Lock code is the primary diagnostic indicator, the power LED blinking white and orange often signals issues related to the power system or the motherboard itself. The four blinks in this color combination, happening simultaneously with the Caps Lock code, further suggest a critical hardware fault that prevents the laptop from starting. It could be related to the motherboard's inability to properly power or communicate with essential components like the CPU.

Probable Cause and Next Steps

Considering these codes, your EliteBook 840 G3 is likely experiencing a significant hardware problem, probably with the CPU or the motherboard. This aligns with the fact that it powers on briefly (fan spins) but then shuts down with a blank screen.

Since you've already tried reseating the RAM and battery, and a general PC service couldn't diagnose or fix it, the issue is likely not a simple fix. The fact that the laptop was "reassambled" also introduces variables like potential damage during that process or an improper connection that might have led to or exacerbated this problem.

Here’s what you might consider:

1. Professional Diagnosis (HP Authorized Service): Given the nature of the blink codes (indicating a potential CPU or motherboard failure) and the unsuccessful prior repair attempt, your best bet for a definitive diagnosis and potential repair would be to take it to an HP authorized service center or a very reputable repair shop that specializes in laptop motherboard diagnostics and component-level repair. They will have more specific diagnostic tools and expertise with HP systems.
2. Re-check Internal Connections (Use Extreme Caution): If you (or someone experienced) are comfortable and careful, you could consider re-opening the laptop to meticulously check all internal cable connections, especially those related to the motherboard, CPU (though it's usually soldered on laptops), and power components. Ensure everything is seated correctly and there's no visible damage or debris. However, this carries risks if not done properly and could potentially worsen the issue.
3. BIOS Recovery (Low Probability of Success): In some instances, BIOS corruption can cause startup failures, though your specific blink codes point more directly to hardware. You could try an HP BIOS recovery procedure (usually involving pressing specific key combinations like Windows Key + B or Windows Key + V while powering on). You can search for "HP EliteBook 840 G3 BIOS recovery" for specific instructions. Given the symptoms, the success rate for this is likely low, but it costs nothing to try.
4. Cost-Benefit Analysis: Motherboard or CPU repairs/replacements can be expensive, sometimes approaching the cost of a new or refurbished laptop. It's important to get a quote from a professional service to decide if a repair is economically viable for you.

It's a tough situation, especially since the laptop was working fine before it suddenly died. The blink codes are the system's way of telling you there's a deep-seated hardware issue that needs expert attention.

[luliii66]

thanks for the answer!! i just checked again and i was wrong. 
when i press power button, fan turns on but screen does not. before fan shutting off, the battery led blinks orange 9 times. after that, the fan shuts off. then, the caps lock blinks once and the battery led blinks between white and orange 4 times. sorry. thanks beforehand, again!