I have an HP DV6000 laptop. I know that certain models have been recalled due to motherboard issues, and this was one of them. At this time, I’m not certain that I am one of the people who could qualify for this replacement, and if I can get the computer on, I want to see if I need a new motherboard first before I send it in. Basically, my computer was giving a code of flashing lights when I tried to power it on, but doing nothing else. Yesterday, I read that if you take out the battery and unplug the cord, you can rest the power to zero and that sometimes solves the issue (this made no sense, but did have an effect).
Now it has no power and when I plug it in to a power supply, it tries to start, and I hear the speakers click, but then it goes directly back off. If I remove the battery, I get no activity at all, and I do not have the power supply at work (tested it at lunch).
What could this be? How do I troubleshoot this issue? Just looking for some kind of solution to get this stupid thing working…
Considering that it won’t boot, the best course of action would be to take it to a computer technician (contacting HP would be the best course of action if the laptop is still under warranty with them).
If you could provide with the pattern that the lights were flashing in, we may be able to diagnose the problem further (though it sounds like a motherboard or power supply problem).
Well, originally it was a series of three or four flashes, but now it is one flash and then goes back to blank. I was thinking this would probably be a power supply issue, which bothers me because I have been through 2-3 chargers with it at this point and do not want to be forced to purchase another, but will if that would solve the problem. I just wondered if there was anything I could do to sort of isolate the problem and pinpoint what needs fixed.
I would buy an HP charger from Best Buy (they sell HP chargers) and that will tell you if it’s a charger issue. If not return it. There is little you can do to service any PS issues on a notebook short of replacing the battery or the charger.
I checked today and the laptop is not under warranty anymore. It is also not part of the recall because it was made at a different time. If I plug it in, it shows that it is charging (through the blue led light on front) but wont come on still. If it was the motherboard, how hard would that be to change? I am rather tech savvy and at this point will try anything, but I really hate to sink too much money into this to still not have it work. I may have to break down and pay someone to fix it, but like I said, I don’t want to drop too much toward it. If it would be cheaper to just save for a new laptop, I may end up doing that…
HP notebooks, while generally good quality notebooks are (IMO) among the hardest notebooks to fully disassemble and service yourself. Batteries typically only last 1.5 to 2.5 years. It sounds like the battery may be crapped out. That’s where I would check first before suspecting PS and MB issues.
Fixing a PS issue via HP factory service will almost always be a full MB replacement (they do not try to fix discrete parts) and probably be around 250- 350 dollars out of warranty. There are third party service shops that will fix notebook PS issues for 90-150 dollars and do make discrete MB repairs.
Believe it to not you may be able to buy an extended HP warranty from HP for around $ 150 or so even if the machine is out of initial warranty. The warranty takes 45-60 days to kick in from purchase date, then you can send your notebook in for service. This obviously necessitates a delay of 60 days.
I may drop it off at a local shop today and see what they can make of it. I kept hoping to be able to work it out somehow, but I doubt that will happen at this point. I have disassembled a few laptops and a large number of desktops for repair reasons recently at work, but that seems to be the best option. I appreciate all the help you guys have given. Reminds me why I fell in love with this board years ago…