Troubleshooting a Laptop

[Flava0ne]

A friend recently dropped off an HP EliteBook 8530p Laptop for me to work on, but it won't power on at all even with the brick plugged into a wall outlet. Even tried it with it only plugged into the brick with the battery removed. I'd really appreciate it if someone with some knowledge with laptops help me troubleshoot it and see if it could be easily fixed or not.

 

[Bill_Bright]

I would try a different charger. If you don't have access to an identical replacement, I use and recommend getting a Automatic Universal 90W Notebook Power Adapter. I use this on service calls and when troubleshooting notebooks. You select the proper tip (out of 13 provided with this adapter) and it automatically adjusts its output voltage for the battery and/or notebook it encounters. Thus far, I have had no problems using it on my own Toshiba, as well as several clients’ Dells, HP/Compaq, eMachine, Sony, Lenovo, Acer, and even Apple notebooks.

 

[jsfitz54]

I would also look at the power jack itself. They often break inside or the solder joints break. This could be due to a fall or tripping over the power cord.

Some examples: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odk...0&_nkw=HP+EliteBook+8530p+power+jack&_sacat=0

 

[Flava0ne]

Thanks for the replies, will definitely tell my friend about that charger. I don't think that the jack itself is broken because when I plug it in, the charging light turns on. When I try to power the laptop on, it cycles through the Wifi, Power and HDD LED's then just shuts back down.

 

[95Viper]

Do any of the lights on the notebook glow or flash?
Which ones and what do they do? Answered that.

Have you tried a hard reset, per HP: HP Notebook PCs - Performing a Hard Reset or Forced Reset

To perform a hard reset on a computer with a removable battery, use the following steps:

1. Turn off the computer.
2. Remove the computer from any port replicator or docking station.
3. Disconnect all external connected peripheral devices such as USB storage devices, external displays, and printers.
4. Unplug the AC adapter from the computer.
5. Remove the battery from the battery compartment.
6. Press and hold down the Power button for about 15 seconds to drain any residual electrical charge from the capacitors that protect the memory.
7. Insert the battery and plug the AC adapter back into the notebook computer, but do not connect any of the peripheral devices.
8. Press the Power button to turn on the computer.
9. If a startup menu opens, use the arrow keys to select Start Windows Normally, and then press the Enter key.
10. After reconnecting each of the peripheral devices, run Windows Update and HP Support Assistant to update all device drivers.

 

[Bill_Bright]

When I try to power the laptop on, it cycles through the Wifi, Power and HDD LED's then just shuts back down.

Ah, well that's a lot different that what you said in your first post, "...it won't power on at all". So yea, I would try the hard reset too.

 

[Flava0ne]

Do any of the lights on the notebook glow or flash?
Which ones and what do they do? Answered that.

Have you tried a hard reset, per HP: HP Notebook PCs - Performing a Hard Reset or Forced Reset

Just tried what you suggested and it's still doing the same thing, only this time the LED's on top of the keyboard also lit up.

 

[dorsetknob]

Remove the Ram and fit 1 good known working stick see if ram failure is the problem

 

[Flava0ne]

Remove the Ram and fit 1 good known working stick see if ram failure is the problem

Just tried that with a known good working kit from another laptop and it's still not powering on. Even tried swapping the 2.5" HDD's with no luck either.

 

[SnakeDoctor]

Remove battery,Hdd
test with known working ram
Check the lcd plug on the mb has not got loose ,under button pad / keyboard
Check cd rom not loose

last resort
Most probably the gpu has got an weak solder joint , if lights are switching on and no display
Managed to one hp laptop get working for little (twice) while by unplugging the cpu/gpu fan let heat up until very hot (+-100c)
unplug , then switch back on straight away