no display on startup

[artiemac]

i have a compaq presario laptop model 1625 which has developed a no display problem on booting up. i went to the compaq site and followed the suggestion on how to get the system started again but unfortunately the solution only worked one time and since then i have not been able to get it going again. everytime i try i just get the error beeps which are-one long beep-two short beeps-two short beeps again. could someone please help as i am very attached to my 'top' and i would at like to get to my displays so that i can at least transfer some of my programs to my desktop. i have also tried connecting an external monitor to maybe get access to the display panel but again nothing. please help me!!! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/confused.gif

[kenja]

I believe Compaq writes its own BIOS, and I couldn't find a table for the POST (Power On Self Test) beep codes.

I'm guessing you've got a hardware problem that won't be helped by trying to boot into DOS, but here is Compaq's idea of support for Presarios: http://www5.compaq.com/athome/support/paqtip/20042.html

[hiredgoonz]

Yeah, compaq is kinda lousy in the support dept...a frriend of mine and I both have compaq laptops and have had display issues, sometimes it just won't turn on completely, if you hold your head just right you can see something, but bot enough to use the computer, while his just quit working one day. He had it replaced and still has the same problem, so it sounds like a common problem.

How old is the system and how much use and abuse does it deal with? The connector from the display into the computer can break after repeated opening and closing of the display, but if an external monitor does not work, then it seems more likely that the vidcard is marginal...don't suppose it's still under warranty?