HP Notebook Computer Does Not Start Up or Boot Properly [ Solved ]

DO THIS FIRST - Perform a hard reset

If a PC suddenly fails to boot properly, you should perform a hard reset as the first action. Performing the hard reset will correct many problems. If the computer still does not start properly, select your symptom from the list below to guide you to the recommended corrective actions.

1. Disconnect all peripheral devices and remove all USB devices and SD media cards. You want to test the computer not the accessories!

2. Disconnect the AC power adapter, remove the battery, and then press and hold the power button for at least 15 seconds to drain all residual power and restore default startup settings.

3. Reconnect the AC power adapter (but do not insert the battery), Press the Power button, Look for glowing LEDs near caps lock and num lock keys, and Listen for sounds of a fan or other moving parts turning.

Symptom: LED lights do not glow, display is black, computer does not start

Glowing LEDs - when the power button is pressed - indicate that electrical power is available to the computer's system board.

Common actions to resolve no power issues

If the computer does not start, the LED lights do not glow, and the display is black, you can perform one or more of the following actions to resolve the no power issue.

• Verify the computer is receiving power from the AC adapter .
• Use a different AC power adapter .

CAUTION: Using a power adapter that does not meet the power requirements or has the wrong type of connector may damage the computer. On newer notebook models, connecting the wrong adapter to the notebook may cause the power LED lights to blink but not power the computer.

• Remove the battery and boot on AC power only .

• If LEDS do not glow and the fan or hard drive do not spin, AC adapter may need to be replaced.

• If LEDs glow and PC boots, the battery may need to be replaced.

• If LEDs glow but PC does not boot, go to LEDs glow, fan is heard, but display is black or blank section.

• Remove the AC adapter and boot on battery power only .

• If LEDS do not glow and the fan or hard drive do not spin, battery may need to be replaced.

• If tests of both the battery and the AC adapter fail, there may be a problem with system board requiring service by HP.

• If LEDs glow and PC boots, the AC adapter may need to be replaced.

• If LEDs glow, but PC does not boot go to LEDs glow, fan is heard, but display is black or blank section.

Symptom: LEDs blink or computer beeps but does not start

Recognize Beep Tone Codes

On older computer models, the startup diagnostics use a series of tones (beeps) to identify an error codes. If you hear beep tones (usually 1 - 6 tones), contact HP to report the number and duration of the tones, and receive technical assistance.

Recognize Blink Codes

On HP Pavilion and Compaq Presario notebook computers built in 2009 or later, the startup diagnostics use blinking LEDS to identify errors. If you see the LEDs near the caps lock or num lock keys blinking (usually 1 - 8 blinks in a series), contact HP for assistance.

Blink codes and beep tone codes have a similar purpose but the number of blinks or beeps do not indicate the same error conditions. The codes are specific to individual models, and you will need to know your exact notebook model number.

Common actions to resolve LED blink or beep tone error code

When there is a start-up problem and you see LED lights on the keyboard blink a few times, or hear beep tones, do the following actions:

1. Press the power button to turn on the computer and look for blinking LED lights on the keyboard, or listen for beep tone.

2. Count the number of blinks or beeps in the sequence.

After the sequence of blinks or beeps, there is a pause for a few seconds, and the sequence of blinks or beeps is repeated (usually 3 times). After the blink sequence is repeated, the LEDs do not glow until the power button is pressed again.

3. Contact HP for technical assistance, and report the number of blinks, or beep tones. You must also know the exact model or product name of your computer.

If you have just replaced any internal hardware components (memory modules, hard drive, etc.) and you experience a blink or beep code, the component may not be connected properly. To physically check the connections and correct this problem, you should remove and reseat the new components.

Symptom: LEDs glow, fan noise is heard, but display is black or blank

If the LED lights glow and a fan noise is heard, but the display remains black and the computer will not start, you can perform one or more of the following actions to resolve this startup issue. If you have not performed the required hard reset, do it now!

Hard Reset ! Disconnect any peripheral devices, remove all SD cards, CD/DVD discs, USB devices, and performed a hard reset to restore the default setting! Disconnect the AC and battery power. Press and hold the power button for at least 15 seconds .

Connect an external monitor

If there is a problem with the LCD display's back light or a corrupted graphics driver, the display may appear blank but the notebook may be working. Attach an external monitor to test the display.

If the image displays on the external monitor, there may be a graphics driver conflict. To resolve this, turn on the computer and press f8 key, then select Enable low-resolution video .

If the image displays in low resolution on the LCD display, you can download and install the latest drivers for your specific graphics driver. If an image does not display on the notebook, contact HP for technical assistance.

Physically check the hardware component connections

If the computer appears to try to start but then stops responding, there may be a loose internal connection. Loose connections commonly occurs when a hardware component, such as memory module or bootable hard drive or disc, is installed improperly, or is not compatible with the computer, or the computer was dropped or jarred. Do each of the following actions and then attempt to restart the computer.

If you have recently installed or replaced any components, such as adding more memory or a larger hard drive, do the following:

• Remove and then reseat any newly replaced components to verify that the connections are seated properly.
• Remove any new parts and reinstall the original components. If you install the new components one at a time, you can to determine if one of the new components is defective.
• If you installed multiple memory modules, remove the modules and then install one module in a memory slot and try to restart the computer. If computer does not start, move the memory module to other slot and try again. Repeat this action and test the other memory module in each memory slot.

Perform Memory and Hard Drive Diagnostic tests

If there is power to the notebook, you may be able to access the BIOS or the EFI to run memory and hard drive diagnostic tests. Perform each action and then attempt to reboot the computer. If you cannot access a diagnostics screen, it may be necessary to recover the computer to its original condition.

Mid-2009 and earlier models

To attempt to access the BIOS and run diagnostic tests, press the power switch and immediately press and hold the f10 key. (f10 can be used to access BIOS on both older and newer computers with EFI.)

On the BIOS setup screen do the following:

• Select Reset the BIOS to default condition (f9) .
• Select Perform a Primary Hard Disk Self Test .
• Select Perform a Memory self test .

Mid-2009 and later models with EFI

To attempt to access the Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) environment diagnostic tests, press the power switch and immediately press and hold the esc key. (Pressing esc key on older, non-EFI computers, will not access a startup or diagnostic menu)

On the EFI Startup Menu screen do the following:

• Select System Diagnostics (f2) to run the Start-Up Test
• Select System Diagnostics (f2) to run the Memory Test
• Select System Diagnostics (f2) to run the Hard Disk Test
• Select BIOS Setup (f10) , then select Reset the BIOS to default condition (f9) .

For more information on the EFI environment, see the HP Notebook PCs Startup & No-Boot web page.

Recover the computer to original condition

If the computer is not responding (1) AFTER you performed all of the other corrective actions in this document, (2) AND if you have the operating system recovery discs, (3) AND if the computer can access the DVD drive, you can restore the computer to its original factory condition.

• XP operating system

The Master Boot Record (MBR) within the Windows XP operating system may be corrupt. You must have the Windows Operating System Disc (OSD) provided with your HP computer to repair the Master Boot Record (MBR). See "Operating System Not Found" Error Message Appears On Black Screen

• Windows 7 or Vista or XP operating system

Depending on the condition of the hard drive, the recovery utility may allow you to make a backup of all of your personal files because performing a system recovery. For more information, please see Repairing or Reinstalling the Operating System .

Symptom: Error message displays on a black screen

Actions when specific error messages display

If one of the following error messages is displayed on a black screen, click on the link for more detailed information about resolving the particular error.

• "Non-System Disk Error or Disk Error" Error Message Appears on Black Screen
• "PXE-E61: Media Test Failure" Error Message Appears On Black Screen
• "Missing Operating System" Error Message Appears On Black Screen
• "Sorry for the Inconvenience, but Windows Failed to Start Successfully" Error Message Appears On Black Screen
• "162 - System Options Not Set" Error Message Appears On Black Screen
• "178x - Disk Controller Error" Error Message Appears On Black Screen
• "Disk Controller Error" or "Multibay Lock Error" Message Appears During Startup or Boot
• "Imminent Hard Disk Failure" Error Message Appears On Black Screen

Actions when no error messages display

If the displayed error message does not appear in the list, search for a specific solution:

Symptom: Error message displays on a blue screen

In some cases, the computer may operate properly in Windows but suddenly crash when you start or exit a program. Problems that cause a blue screen error usually display a specific message and have a specific solution. The computer can usually be restarted by turning the power off and then on, but ignoring the error message does not resolve a reoccurring problem.

It may appear that there is no error message if the computer is set to automatically restart when an error is detected. This setting can be changed and when the specific blue screen error message is displayed, use a computer with access to the internet to search the following web sites for solutions to the specific error message.

Disable the Automatic Restart option in Advanced Boot Options

If no error message is displayed, and the computer cannot boot into Windows, do the following to disable the automatic restart feature in the Advanced Boot Option.

1. Turn on the power and press f8 to open the Windows Advanced Boot Option screen.
2. Select Disable automatic restart on system failure to view error messages.

NOTE: For Windows XP, to disable the automatic restart on system failure feature, install XP service pack 2 or later.

Actions when specific error messages display

If one of the following error messages is displayed on a blue screen, click on the link for more detailed information about resolving the particular error.

• "USBHUB.SYS" Error Message Appears on Blue Screen When Resuming From Standby or Hibernation
• "BugCheck Code 0xD1" Error Message Appears On A Blue Screen When Computer Enters or Resumes From Hibernation or Sleep
• "0x0000010E" or "0x000000C1" Stop Error Message Appears on a Blue Screen When Using Applications Requiring Heavy Graphics Processing
• "BugCheck 8086" Error Message Appears on Blue Screen
• "0xFE" Blue Screen Error Message Referring to File usbohci.sys Appears During an Unexpected Shutdown
• "0x50 or 0x8E" Error Message Referring to HPCI.sys File Appears on Blue Screen

Actions when no error messages display

If the displayed error message does not appear in the list, search the specific solution:

If you cannot search on a specific error message, perform one or more of the following common actions to resolve blue screen error messages .

Actions to resolve blue screen error messages

If the computer displays a blue screen and stops responding, you can perform one or more of the following actions to resolve the startup or no boot issue.

Perform Memory and Hard Drive diagnostic tests

In some cases, if there is power to the notebook, you may be able to access the BIOS, or EFI diagnostics, and run memory and hard drive tests. If you cannot access a diagnostics screen, try one of the other actions listed in this section.

• Mid-2009 and earlier models

To attempt to access the BIOS diagnostic tests, press the power switch and immediately press and hold the f10 key. On the BIOS setup screen do the following:

• Select Reset the BIOS to default condition (f9) .

• Select Perform a Primary Hard Disk Self Test .

• Select Perform a Memory self test .

• Mid-2009 and later models with EFI

To attempt to access the Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) environment diagnostic tests, press the power switch and immediately press and hold the esc key. On the EFI Startup Menu screen do the following:

1. Select System Diagnostics (f2) to run theStart-Up Test
2. Select System Diagnostics (f2) to run theMemory Test
3. Select System Diagnostics (f2) to run theHard Disk Test
4. Select BIOS Setup (f10) , then select Reset the BIOS to default condition (f9) .

Use Windows Advanced Boot Options to start computer

If computer does not boot into Windows, turn on the power and press f8 . On the Windows Advanced Boot Option screen, select one or more of the following options. Select them one at a time and press the enter key to attempt a system restart.

• Disable automatic restart on system failure to view error messages.
• Repair Your Computer allows Uninstall recently installed software programs Windows to run diagnostic tests.
• Last Known Good Configuration (Advanced) to return settings to an earlier point in time.
• Boot into Safe Mode and then Uninstall recently installed software programs .
• When in the computer is running in the Safe mode, click Start , Control Panel , and select the Uninstall a program option. When the computer is operating again, go to program manufacturer's web site for support information.

Run a Microsoft system restore

• In Windows XP

Click Start , All Programs , Accessories , System Tools , System Restore . Select a windows restore point from a time when the computer operated properly, and then restart the computer.

• In Windows Vista or Windows 7

Click Start, type restore in the search field, and select System Restore from the list. Select a windows restore point from a time when the computer operated properly, and then restart the computer.

If the computer does not boot into Windows, you can restore the computer settings to an earlier point in time. Turn on the power and press f8 . On the Windows Advanced Boot Option screen, select Safe Mode and boot into Windows.

Update Windows, the BIOS, and HP device drivers

Symptom: Displays Windows logo on screen and hangs

The Windows logo may appear on a blank screen or a specific error message is displayed. The computer can usually be restarted by turning the power off and on. With Windows Vista and Windows 7, the computer may prompt you to select a Windows Startup Repair option when the power button is pressed again after a startup error.

Disable the Automatic Restart option in Advanced Boot Options

If no error message is displayed, and the computer cannot boot into Windows, do the following to disable the automatic restart feature. Turn on the power and press f8 to open the Windows Advanced Boot Option screen. Select Disable automatic restart on system failure to view error messages.

Actions when specific error messages display

• Use Windows Advanced Boot Options to start the computer .

If computer does not boot into Windows, turn on the power and press f8 . On the Windows Advanced Boot Option screen, select one or more of the following options. Select them one at a time and press the enter key to attempt a system restart.

• Repair Your Computer allows Windows to run diagnostic tests.

• Last Known Good Configuration (Advanced) to return settings to an earlier point in time.

• Select Safe Mode and then run a Microsoft System Restore to an earlier point in time.

• Select Safe Mode and then Uninstall recently installed software programs .

• Restore the BIOS defaults .

To reset the BIOS configuration to its default condition, turn on the computer and press f10 to enter the BIOS setup , and then press f9 key to reset the BIOS defaults option.

• Restore the default VGA Low-Resolution graphics settings .

If there is a graphics driver conflict, turn on the computer and press f8 key, then select Enable low-resolution video . This allows you to download and install the latest graphics drivers. Once the correct driver is installed you can select the desired resolution.

• Run an anti-virus program .

Search for and remove any virus or malware.

• Test the hard drive .

The HP Hard Drive Self Test can repair most errors. Turn on the computer and press f10 to boot into the BIOS Setup and select Hard Disk Test .

• Restore the system to a known good configuration using Microsoft System Restore .

Turn on the computer and press f8 and then select Boot into Safe Mode . When in Windows, click Start , type Restore in the search field and select System Restore . Select a restore point when the computer was operating properly.