Member Avatar for stivhixon

Hi, this is my first post on this board! I have a Compaq Presario M2305NR laptop. I bought it to write papers and research for school. I have had it for about 2 years. The computer works fine unless I turn it off. If I leave it on and just close out all programs and close it, then when I want to use it again it will work fine. Now if I actually turn the system completely off and try to restart it thats where the problem starts. When I turn the power on the power light, wireless light, and speaker light all light up. I hear it whirring and making some noise. The lights next to the "caps lock" and above the "scroll" key blink then turn off. Its like the power is on but just a black screen. If I unplug it about 15-20 times and keep hitting the power button it eventually starts. Today it took about 45 minutes of turning on and off for it to turn on. So I decided to come here for some help. I have tried to unplug it and hold down the power key for 45 seconds but that doesnt help. I have also tried to do a system restore, but just through windows xp not with the disk. I dont even know if I even have the disk I just read that someone else was talking about using a reboot disk, is this different than going to the control panel and using the system restore there? Anyway,thanks for any help.

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Summary of the problem and targeted next steps based on the thread: describes a Presario that often shows power LEDs and then a black screen after a cold start, with caps/scroll LEDs blinking and the machine eventually coming up only after many power cycles. has already pointed toward isolating display vs. system and looking at memory. The most useful diagnostics now are those that distinguish (1) failure to complete POST, (2) an alive system with a dead internal display, or (3) intermittent power/regulation faults.

Run independent POST/memory checks and capture error codes. Bootable hardware diagnostics or a well-known memory tester run from USB will reveal RAM faults that might not show up inside Windows. Record any beep patterns or the exact blink sequence of the caps/scroll LEDs and compare with HP/Compaq POST-blink documentation for this model — that mapping is a direct clue to the failing subsystem.

If the machine is posting but the internal panel remains black, check the display chain (backlight/inverter or LVDS/flat cable and connector) rather than the OS. A bright flashlight held close to the panel can reveal a faint image when the backlight has failed. If an external display shows BIOS/POST while the internal screen is black, the failure is almost certainly the panel, the inverter (for CCFL screens), or the cable through the hinge area.

Intermittent success after many cycles points to flaky power delivery or motherboard components. Verify the AC adapter voltage with a multimeter, inspect the DC jack for looseness, and visually check the board for bulging or leaking capacitors near power circuits. Maintain ESD precautions and back up important data before any disassembly — if opening the unit is not comfortable, a reputable shop can do a focused diagnosis; it is reasonable to ask for a written fault code and cost estimate before authorizing repairs.

Clarification about restores: a Windows System Restore rolls back system files/registry and will not fix hardware faults. A factory recovery disc or partition reinstalls the OS. If data recovery is a priority, remove the drive or boot from USB rescue media to copy files before any risky repair work.

Member Avatar for la1

Try connecting a desktop monitor to the external VGA port, usually on the back of the notebook. See if the notebook boots ok. It might be the notebook is booting ok, just that it is not displaying that it is booting. Could also have flakey ram. Unplug the notebook, remove the battery and reseat your ram ( take your ram out and put back in ).

Member Avatar for stivhixon

could you or anyone who knows tell me where to find the RAM to reset it. Do you think this is a problem that I could bring into a computer repair shop to fix, without costing too much?

Member Avatar for la1

The ram could be under a small cover on the bottom or under the keyboard or both places. As far as taking it in, most places have a flat rate which is near $200. You might try calling first. If you find a place that is cheap, they may not know what they are doing. Did you try the external monitor yet ?

Member Avatar for stivhixon

no, i will try that tonight or tomorrow. So I just plug the monitor into the VGA port, so I just disconnect my desktop monitor from the computer and plug it into my laptop? IF that works and I get something on my desktop monitor what will that mean is wrong with the laptop? Like I said the power lights and the wireless light turn on, just not the screen, it takes 15 to 20 times turning it off and on to work. I checked some other sites and they also mentioned the RAM card and the Video Card, I cant try that till tomorrow( I dont have a phillips head that small). Ill try these tomorrow and post my results, thanks alot for helping me out!
-steve

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