Pavilion dv5 won't boot up

[ButchPJ]

When I try to boot up my dv5 it hangs mid boot up with nothing appearing on screen. All I can hear is the fan. Lights on the quick play bar are all on but th volume and wifi lights are red. The caps and scroll lock lights blink slowly and the mouse pad and power lights are on steady.
I have tried hitting F10 to get to the bios but nothing.
Any ideas what to try next?

[DavidPK]

Hi,

It's always worth trying a Hard Reset as follows.

Shut down the notebook, unplug the AC Adapter and then remove the battery.  Hold  down the Power button for 30 seconds.  Plug in the AC Adapter ( leave the battery out for the moment ) and see if the notebook will start.

Regards,

DP-K

[ButchPJ]

Thanks DP-K but I already tried that and no difference in the result. It still doesn't boot.

[DavidPK]

Hi,

Can you post back with the full Model No. and Product No. of dv5 series notebook - see Here for a guide on locating this information.

Regards,

DP-K

[ButchPJ]

DP-K I can't use the software to find out the model as the laptop won't boot. The only numbers I can find inside the battery compartment read HSTNN-Q34C and CS10 CM-2. Not sure either of those are helpful? Any further advice on locating the model number?

Cheers

[DavidPK]

Hi,

On most of the dv5 series I've seen, there should be a service tag ( figure 1 ) near the Windows COA sticker - the Product No. will be in the form   FT161EA#aba

Regards,

DP-K

[ButchPJ]

Okay the service tag was covered by another sticker. So the model is a dv5-1110em product number is FU738EA#ABU.

[DavidPK]

Hi,

First, with reference to the Service Manual on the link below - remove and re-seat your memory modules.

If the above makes no difference, try the following.

Again, with reference to the Service Manual, remove one of your memory modules and then see if the notebook will boot.  If it doesn't, try the same module, but in the other slot.  If is still doesn't boot, try the other memory module in both slots, to see if any combination will allow the notebook to start normally.

The procedure for removing these modules is detailed starting on Page 68 of your Maintenance & Service Guide.

Regards,

DP-K

[ButchPJ]

Okay tried all the above plus swapping them over in the slots. Still doesn't boot and behaves the same as previously described.

Doesn't look good does it?

[DavidPK]

Hi,

My best guess is that there's a problem with the System Board or the AMG graphics chip, but it's worth trying the following first.

With reference to your Maintenance & Service Guide shutdown, unplug the AC Adapter, remove the battery and follow the procedure detailed on Page 67 to remove the RTC Cell.

Hold down the power button for 20 seconds.

Remove and re-seat the HDD ( Page 70 ) and the WLAN card ( Page 75 ).

When done, re-insert the RTC Cell and replace the covers etc.

Check if the notebook starts.

If there's no change, my best suggestion would be to take it to a local computer repair shop and at least get a diagnosis of the problem - if it is the System Board ( or GPU which really means a new system board ), you may well find the cost of replacement simply isn't worth it when compared to the price of a new machine.

Regards,

DP-K