Laptop turning on and off repeatedly

[azariaa]

So when I turn my laptop on, it will stay on for about 2 seconds and then shut off. Then it turns and again and does the same thing. I can access the BIOS thingy by pressing F10 while the screen is on. I can't access anything else though. Not even System Recovery (F11). Please help! I've tried everything.

[azariaa]

So when I turn my laptop on, it will stay on for about 2 seconds and then shut off. Then it turns and again and does the same thing. I can access the BIOS thingy by pressing F10 while the screen is on. I can't access anything else though. Not even System Recovery (F11). Please help! I've tried everything.

[IT_WinSec]

Hello @azariaa

Welcome to the HP Support forum. Thank you for posting here. Just FYI - I merged your two posts into one single thread here.

What you describe looks like restarting to me which means your PC actually starts. It looks like Windows fails to start. But let's perform further tests

1. Try hard restart/hard reset.

Press the power on-button on your PC and hold it for about 5-10 seconds until your computer powers off completely.

Remove and unplug any external periferals and accessories.

Press once the power-on button to turn on the PC and wait if it will start now. Wait...

If it still fails to load properly, go ahead with the next steps

2. Perform some basic hardware checks to rule out hardware problem

- Please, shutdown the computer using the power button (pressed and hold for a few seconds until PC powers off)

- Power the computer back on.

As soon as you press the power-on button, immediately begin hitting the Esc button (like tap-tap-tap) before any logo appears. This should open a HP Startup Menu

Can you press F1 or F9 ?

Repeat the procedure but start/choose F2  open System Diagnostics. Follow the on-screen instructions to perform System Test >> Quick test.

This will check major hardware componets for issue (do it just in case) . Here is more info >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JXUp43ahHA

If there are no system checks/no quick tests, perform HDD (hard disk drive) and RAM check (memory check).

Let me know the test results. If the tests pass without issues, continue. If not, please, let me know

3. Repeat steps 1-2 above but when HP Startup menu opens, please choose F11 for System Recovery options. What exactly happens when you press F11 ?

[azariaa]

@IT_WinSec

So I was able to do the System Test and it passed evrrything, but I'm still having the same exact issue. I'm not able to hit F11 during the startup, my laptop shuts off before it can open the System Recovery screen. Anything else I could do?

[IT_WinSec]

Thank you for following the instructions @azariaa

Begin pressing Esc repeatedly and HP StartUp menu should open. There you should see several options - like F1, F2, F9, F10, F11, F12, etc....

Do you see the F11 option there in the list ? After that (if you see it), can you press/hit F11 ?

[azariaa]

@IT_WinSec

Yes, there is an F11 option. But when I press F11, my laptop just turns off.

[IT_WinSec]

Ok, so this PC runs Windows 8.1 , right ? You never used Windows 10 on it and you prefer Windows 8.1 ?

What is the full product model and product number (p/n) >> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00033108

[azariaa]

Yes. It runs 8.1 and I have never used 10.

Here's the System Information -

Notebook Model: HP Stream Notebook PC 13
Product Number: K3N16UA#ABA

[IT_WinSec]

Ok, there are 2 paths you can go with regards to fixing your computer - official or unofficial one.

The official one may be slightly easier for an end user to perform but costs around 30 USD

The unofficial one may be free but may be slightly more difficult for an end user to perform.

Official

You can restore your PC using original HP Recovery media - the one for your model is this one >> http://www.computersurgeons.com/p-27641-windows-81-recovery-kit-799727-003-for-hp-stream-notebook-mo...

It's a 16 GB USB drive which will restore your Windows, drivers, preinstalled apps

Once you purchase and receive it, insert the USB drive (plug it in) and boot from it (F9).

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

If you use it, it will restore the PC to factory default condition - install Windows, drivers, certain preinstalled apps, etc...

If you decide to choose the official way, here are instructions how to use the recovery media

>> http://hp.dezide.com/ts/start.jsp?guide=HPSystemRecovery.net&section=ccweb&sfs=tdoc&lc=en&language=e...

Unofficial

perform clean installation of Windows 8.1 (unofficial method, may be free of chrage, slightly more difficult to perform for an end user)

You can use this free utility

>> https://www.heidoc.net/php/Windows%20ISO%20Downloader.exe

>> https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/67-microsoft-windows-and-office-iso-downl...

The tool will download ISO images from Microsoft and has lots of options for many Windows versions including OEM. If you use it, be careful to select the correct Windows ISO for the OEM, x86 or x64 edition, Home/Pro/Ultimate, etc...

When download completes, you will need to write the ISO image and boot from a bootable media. You need to use either 1 empty/blank USB pendrive (4 GB capacity or more)

** How to create bootable ISO on USB device >> http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows

 instructions are for Ubuntu, but you need to use the ISO image of Windows 8.1

When ready with the USB drive:

Please, shutdown the computer using the power button.

Insert the Windows USB thumdrive prepared previously

Power on the PC.

As soon as you press the power-on button, start hitting the Esc button repeatedly (like tap-tap-tap).

This should open a HP Startup Menu

Choose F9 to open Boot options. Select the USB thumb drive or the DVD as a boot option.

- Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 7. Perform clean installation/custom installation (not repair).

Delete all existing partitions and install Windows on Disc 0 Unallocated space

- After successful Windows installation, install drivers taken from HP web site

- Make sure Windows is Activated by going to Start > Control Panel > System

if the key is not extracted from BIOS, you can use ProduKey from Nirsoft >> http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

x86 Windows >> http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/produkey.zip

x64 Windows >> http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/produkey-x64.zip

It can read the BIOS key and provide it to you.

Let me know if this helps. Provide your feedback/update and let me know if you face difficulties

[azariaa]

Is there anything else I can do? I don't think I'll be able to perform either of these recoveries.