chrisgoodhew
asked on
HP Pavilion dv9646em blank screen when power turned on
I have an HP Pavilion dv9646em that presents me with a blank screen when the power is turned on. The laptop appears to be booting up ok - I get the requisite power, keyboard, quick launch lights etc but just a blank, back-lit screen.
It started about 6 months ago when, over a period of weeks i got occasional "odd" colours and lines on the screen. This progressed rapidly into a blank screen when the laptop was turned on.
I have replaced the motherboard and inverter, to no effect. I have performed the standard "power button holding" tests, reseated memory modules, etc, again to no effect. I have also checked and reseated internal cables.
I do not get any signal on an external monitor, either via the hdmi or vga ports.
It started about 6 months ago when, over a period of weeks i got occasional "odd" colours and lines on the screen. This progressed rapidly into a blank screen when the laptop was turned on.
I have replaced the motherboard and inverter, to no effect. I have performed the standard "power button holding" tests, reseated memory modules, etc, again to no effect. I have also checked and reseated internal cables.
I do not get any signal on an external monitor, either via the hdmi or vga ports.
You have a bad video card it may be onboard the mother board if so you need a new mother board.
SOLUTION
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if you replaced the mobo - that does leave only the display and cable
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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Hi,
I believe this is characteristic of the issues the 7000 and 8000 series Nvidia adapters in these laptops where the heat generated by the graphics card causes solder failure on the BGA connection to the motherboard?
I'm not sure whether the video card is on a separate board or integrated onto the motherboard, but it sounds as if it's failed.
I believe that it's possible to re-flow the solder but this is only a short term repair.
I thought HP had issued some sort of a recall and were offering free out of warranty cover for this issue? Might be worth speaking to HP support and checking whether your laptop is elligible?
The fact there is no external display is indicative of an issue with the video card as a screen issue would be seen on the internal display but not an external one?
Regards,
RobMobility.
I believe this is characteristic of the issues the 7000 and 8000 series Nvidia adapters in these laptops where the heat generated by the graphics card causes solder failure on the BGA connection to the motherboard?
I'm not sure whether the video card is on a separate board or integrated onto the motherboard, but it sounds as if it's failed.
I believe that it's possible to re-flow the solder but this is only a short term repair.
I thought HP had issued some sort of a recall and were offering free out of warranty cover for this issue? Might be worth speaking to HP support and checking whether your laptop is elligible?
The fact there is no external display is indicative of an issue with the video card as a screen issue would be seen on the internal display but not an external one?
Regards,
RobMobility.
Hi,
As you're in the UK, have you considered returning the laptop to the shop from where you purchased it under the Sales of Goods Act?
If it's PC World, then the laptop would have been something like £600 - £700 - it's not unreasonable to expect this to keep going for a 2 - 3 years. Since this is a common fault with this laptop, you can state this is a manufacturing fault with the laptop and insist the supplier repairs it for free.
Regards,
Rob Knight.
As you're in the UK, have you considered returning the laptop to the shop from where you purchased it under the Sales of Goods Act?
If it's PC World, then the laptop would have been something like £600 - £700 - it's not unreasonable to expect this to keep going for a 2 - 3 years. Since this is a common fault with this laptop, you can state this is a manufacturing fault with the laptop and insist the supplier repairs it for free.
Regards,
Rob Knight.
ASKER
The graphics card is integral to the motherboard on this laptop.
When I replaced the motherboard, about 4 months ago, the laptop worked for 1 day, after which the blank screen returned.
Today I have completely disassembled and reassembled the laptop, reseating all cables, to no effect. I find myself agreeing that the only possible problem is either the new graphics card onboard the motherboard is also defective or that a cable is damaged but that the damage is not superficially visible (or both!), particularly given that the external monitors still do not work.
I've owned the laptop for at least 3 years. I have since purchased (and am happy with) a new one. I am really continuing to try to repair this one as an interesting technical exercise and to give my children an old laptop to play with!
When I replaced the motherboard, about 4 months ago, the laptop worked for 1 day, after which the blank screen returned.
Today I have completely disassembled and reassembled the laptop, reseating all cables, to no effect. I find myself agreeing that the only possible problem is either the new graphics card onboard the motherboard is also defective or that a cable is damaged but that the damage is not superficially visible (or both!), particularly given that the external monitors still do not work.
I've owned the laptop for at least 3 years. I have since purchased (and am happy with) a new one. I am really continuing to try to repair this one as an interesting technical exercise and to give my children an old laptop to play with!
ASKER
Thank you all for your comments. I think (yet another) new motherboard or repair of the current one is the most likely solution. Given that I've already bought a new one, this laptop may be consigned to the scrapheap!