Problem Turning on Computer

[Bushmiller]

For some while now I have had a problem turning on my computer. It is an HP Pavilion All-in-One.

The first time it happened I took it to a repairer and it came back fixed or so I thought. Since then it has happened many times. The solution seems to be to unplug at the power source and wait Then plug it back in. However the wait period seems to be getting worse (ie longer). The last time I waited for a whole day before I could get a start. I have learnt that the precursor to trouble is that the power switch to the computer, which is located underneath the screen, has a light which gives a pulse when I am going to have trouble. With the computer switched off it will pulse seven times and then pause before repeating the sequence. The light has to be lit, but be solid, to get a start on the computer. I think the computer is about three years old.

I suspect that there is a faulty component, but have nowhere near enough knowledge of computers to understand the issue. Also at some point there may be a catastrophic failure too! Any thoughts or help would be much appreciated.

Regards
Paul

[delbs]

When you power it on for the first time since being turned off what do you see on the screen? is it blank entirely or you are presented with an error? or it does start up for you to use as normal but just takes a long time?

Cheers,
Nathan

[Bushmiller]

When you power it on for the first time since being turned off what do you see on the screen? is it blank entirely or you are presented with an error? or it does start up for you to use as normal but just takes a long time?

Cheers,
Nathan

Nathan

Normally nothing will happen at all: Blank screen (grey as in switched off.) However on a couple of occasions I have heard a quick sound which sounded like a fan starting within the computer. It ceased almost immediately (within two seconds at the outside) and then nothing at all. Today, for example, there is absolutely nothing except for the blinking light on the start button. I am using my wife's laptop to communicate.

Regards
Paul

[woodPixel]

Turns out this is a thing.

I typed into the Googs "HP pavilion all in..." and it auto-suggested "one power button blinking".

Yikes --> hp pavilion all in one power button blinking - Google Search (https://www.google.com.au/search?q=hp+pavilion+all+in+one+power+button+blinking)


My guess? Since it wont post (i.e. boot), therefore it isn't beeping, it isn't even getting to the point of juice being supplied properly. Its the power supply. Time for the shop.

[Bushmiller]

3
Turns out this is a thing.

I typed into the Googs "HP pavilion all in..." and it auto-suggested "one power button blinking".

Yikes --> hp pavilion all in one power button blinking - Google Search (https://www.google.com.au/search?q=hp+pavilion+all+in+one+power+button+blinking)


My guess? Since it wont post (i.e. boot), therefore it isn't beeping, it isn't even getting to the point of juice being supplied properly. Its the power supply. Time for the shop.

WP

Thanks for that. I thought perhaps it had defaulted to a sleep mode and I saw that there were some suggestions to hold in the power button for 30 seconds. One recommendation was with power on and another with the power off. I checked the settings and they were selected to "Never" for sleep and power saving and it would never have occurred to me to change anything anyway. The computer finally switched on this evening when I tried it after having the power plug removed for a few minutes.

I can see it will need to go to the repairers next time we go to Toowoomba as the fault does seem to be intermittent, but quite infuriating when it does refuse to "wake up." I don't have much patience with such things.

Regards
Paul

[Jigsaw]

Have you taken it off to the repair shop yet. If not you can try this.
Go to youtube and search for "Laptop not Starting" or similar.
I have watched one from PC Monkey that is OK.
Test the Charger and Battery first, the easy checks.
The rest need you to open the laptop case, which you may not be comfortable with.
At this point off to the shop.

regards Dave

[Bushmiller]

Thanks Dave.

My computer is a desk top model ("All in One".... without a tower) rather than a laptop, but it failed to the point I could not get it to fire up and it was taken to the computer specialists last Friday. I am waiting to hear the outcome.

Regards
Paul

[Jigsaw]

All good, Paul.
I have a 2 in one which is a laptop. I wonder what I am missing out on for mine to be an All in one :)


Dave

[Bushmiller]

All good, Paul.
I have a 2 in one which is a laptop. I wonder what I am missing out on for mine to be an All in one :)


Dave

dave

I don't believe you are missing out on much at all.

I got a call from the repairer this afternoon. The fault lies with the AC adaptor so I have to replace that when I next go to Toowoomba (Friday)

Regards
Paul

[Jigsaw]

Yay, that is great news and it will be the cheapest thing you ever replace on a PC.

Dave

[Bushmiller]

Yay, that is great news and it will be the cheapest thing you ever replace on a PC.

Dave

Dave

That is only true if it works. It didn't!

Looks like it is back to the repairer for comment tomorrow. I tried it this evening after a weekend away. I had bought a new power adaptor. However, there will be no more money spent on it.

Regards
Paul

[LanceC]

For some reason this reminded me of this old joke.



Memo To All Staff From Tech Support

Management has determined that there is no longer any need for network or software applications support. The goal is to remove all computers from the desktop by Dec. 31, 2003.

Instead, everyone will be provided with an Etch-A-Sketch. There are many sound reasons for doing this:

1. No OS problems.
2. No technical glitches keeping work from being done.
3. No more wasted time reading and writing emails.

Frequently Asked Questions for Etch-A-Sketch Technical Support

Q. My Etch-A-Sketch has all of these funny little lines all over the screen.
A. Pick it up and shake it.

Q. How do I turn my Etch-A-Sketch off?
A. Pick it up and shake it.

Q. What's the shortcut for Undo?
A. Pick it up and shake it.

Q. How do I create a New Document window?
A. Pick it up and shake it.

Q. How do I set the background and foreground to the same color?
A. Pick it up and shake it.

Q. What is the proper procedure for rebooting my Etch-A-Sketch?
A. Pick it up and shake it.

Q. How do I delete a document on my Etch-A-Sketch?
A. Pick it up and shake it.

Q. How do I save my Etch-A-Sketch document?
A. Don't shake it.

[Bushmiller]

Lance

Last night I was keen to be a little more violent than merely shaking it!

Regards
Paul

[Jigsaw]

If it is still under warranty then I would let HP solve the problem.
It it is out of warranty, I would pull it apart and have a look for obvious things like loose connections, memory chips not plugged in correctly etc.
If you go onto youtube and type in upgrade HP (model number or identifier), there will be videos I how to pull it apart. Youtube may have common problems with this PC??
A HP Laptop (not an All in One) I looked at it, was a mammoth task to get into and change/check bits.
A Dell laptop is dead easy. The one I bought, I downloaded the manual before I purchased it to check how easy it was to upgrade.
In my first week of purchase, I pulled it apart and installed a second HDD. The drive carrier and cable was already inside waiting for me.
All done in about 15 minutes.
Being a Woody, you can use a screw driver, your almost there.

If you don't find anything obviously unplugged or loose, you screw it back up and take it to the repair shop.

Jigsaw