SEARCH

The How-To Geek Forums Have Migrated to Discourse



Join the Discussion at discuss.howtogeek.com

How-To Geek Forums / Geek Stuff

HP Laptop - Won't Load Past Start Up Screen

(18 posts)
  • Started 4 years ago by lacyjean
  • Latest reply from raphoenix
  • Topic Viewed 7425 times

lacyjean
Posts: 10

It's a fairly old laptop. There was a lawsuit a couple years back against HP about the batteries on this particular model. The battery's never worked right, but the computer always ran fine as long as it was plugged in. I got it back out the other day (I've got a newer desktop & haven't used it in a while), but when I start it up, it won't go past the HP logo screen. I've tried F2 to get to setup, but it just sits & 'thinks' indefinitely. I'm not sure what I can do to get it back to normal. - Thanks!

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Posts: 13598

Welcome lacyjean. If you haven't used it for a while (and it has a dodgy battery) then just leave it plugged in overnight to charge a little. Then try again.

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
whs
whs
Posts: 17584

Or, take the battery out all together and run it on wallpower.

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 14920

lacyjean,

Change the Bios 2032 battery also. It is under a bottom cover.

Post back with results.

Rick P.

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
whs
whs
Posts: 17584

Good point Rick, the Mobo battery is probably dead too.

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Posts: 13598

In this instance. I don't think renewing the m/b battery will help much.

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
whs
whs
Posts: 17584

LH, how come?

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 14920

LH + whs

I'm using that as an excuse to clear and reset the Bios. I always start trouble shooting by getting the Hardware in shape first. Then comes the Software. (Pre-Flight Check List)

Rick P.

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
lacyjean
Posts: 10

So...I should skip the battery & clear/reset the Bios? How do I go about doing that if I'm unable to enter setup, or anything else? - Thanks!!

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 14920

lacyjean,

Do Both suggestions.

Unplug machine, remove main battery and also remove small 2032 CMOS battery for about 5 minutes.

Replace small 2032 CMOS battery with a new one.

Put everything back together and plug in power adapter to wall receptacle.

Power up machine and see if you can get into Bios Setup by using F2 Key.

Ensure Bios is Re-set to Defaults plus set up correct Date and Time, etc.

Save Bios Settings and Reboot Laptop.

Post Back as to Results.

Kindest Regards,
Rick P.

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
lacyjean
Posts: 10

I couldn't access the CMOS battery. I tried to take it apart, but couldn't access it enough to even locate the battery. I took out the main battery, and plugged in the charger. I turned it on, entered setup, & it asked me for a password. I didn't know the password so I shut it back down. I have not been able to access that screen again, it sit & 'thinks'. I'll try again this weekend to disassemble it. There must've been something I missed. - Thanks

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
lacyjean
Posts: 10

we managed to get the whole thing apart, but didn't find anything that looked like a watch battery. Are we out of luck?

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 14920

lacyjean,

What is Series Number and Model Number of machine ??

Kindest Regards,
Rick P. ♣

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
lacyjean
Posts: 10

It's an HP N5420 - Thanks!

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
lacyjean
Posts: 10

Is anyone still willing to help me out??

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 14920

lacyjean,

Yes, we are here.

Just need to catch up on topic thread plus think.
Kindest Regards,
Rick P. ♥ :)

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
whs
whs
Posts: 17584

Rereading the thread I don't think we really have a battery problem. As Lighthouse said, the CMOS battery is probably OK. They last 5 to 7 years and if it was dead, you would not have gotten that far. The main battery should not be a problem either. If it's dead you may want to buy a new one another day, but right now the laptop should run on wallpower.
It looks more like you are in some sort of loop. Try hitting F8 when you get to the HP logo. That should get you into safe boot. If that works, do a restart from there. If it does not work, we'll have to regroup.
Btw: The CMOS battery is on the motherboard - sometimes hidden. Be careful on the Mobo. Read this.

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 14920

lacyjean,
Here is the service manual.
Try the (Paper Clip Reset) as shown in the manual.
My "Bad" for not downloading the manual a month ago.
http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/bpi04434.pdf

Post Back.

Kindest Regards,
Rick P. ♥ :)

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 



Topic Closed

This topic has been closed to new replies. Please create a new topic instead.


Create New Topic Return to Forum