Laptop "BIG PROBLEM"

[jws34109]

I have a Compaq Presario 1200 xl 119.
Will not boot ! Nothing, but the power lite comes on ?
Looking for thoughts !

[Sylvander]

Is this your notebook make & model? http://tinyurl.com/about
How long have you had it? Is it out of warranty?
This might be worth referring to http://tinyurl.com/bwz83
Then this http://tinyurl.com/e2s2q
Then http://tinyurl.com/c8m4q

In particular:
"1. Remove the battery and disconnect all external devices from the computer.
2. Connect the AC adapter to a wall outlet and insert it into the computer. Then press the power button.

One of the two following symptoms may occur:

Power indicator LED is on
If the power indicator LED is on the AC adapter is functioning correctly. The problem is most likely a result of a hardware failure in the notebook itself. To repair this problem it will be necessary to send the notebook to a HP certified service center.
See: HP Notebook PCs - Using a Certified HP Service Center to Repair a Notebook PC ."

What are your thoughts on using a Certified HP Service Center?
Do you have the knowledge and experience to go inside and fix it yourself?

[jws34109]

DID #1&2
also took out batt. & held down power buttom for 60 sec. NOTHING.
I'am going to make it personal and take this puppy apart an make it work.
Do you know where I can get a service manual for persario 1200 XL 119
are all 1200 series components interchangeable ?
What would say to a failed HD?
Jack

[jws34109]

Its not worth sending in, but think of the learning process.
I figured out to use this thread.

[david eaton]

The links in Sylvander's post should point you to the manual, and documentation.

[Sylvander]

Download a copy of my diagnostic flowcharts from here
www.erniek.eclipse.co.uk/downloads/sylvanderdiags.zip
and print them to leaf through.
Begin on the STARTUP chart.

1. Your PC is not "dead". [The LED is on, power is getting through.]
Are there any other signs of life? Fan?
2. Do you normally hear a single short beep at startup?
[That's normally the sign of successful completion of the POST.]
The video card is enabled immediately following, and that's when you would normally see a display on-screen.
3. Since you hear no single short beep [no successful POST], and no multiple beeps [no warning from the BIOS of a problem], then you have NO POST. [You could remove all RAM to see if there are any beeps, and probably there would be none.]
Go to the NO POST chart.
4. This recommends testing the PSU. What does this have as a PSU? And can you test it? I can supply instructions suited to a desktop PC. Perhaps they could still apply? You may decide to [initially] skip this step and jump to the next.
5. Try a "bare-bones boot" as follows:
Disconnect all but the power supply, MB, CPU+heatsink+fan, 1 stick of RAM in the 1st slot, video card+monitor, case speaker [if any], and power button, and make sure the power supply's voltage selector switch is set to the correct voltage and the PS connection to the MB is securely seated.

If there's no beep/display, then check the CMOS battery for the correct voltage (3V). [Could it be dead?]
If that's ok, then make sure the 'Clear CMOS' MB jumper [if there is one] is not in the 'Clear' position.
If the jumper is in the proper position, then turn off the power, disconnect the power cord, and clear CMOS either with the MB jumper or by removing the CMOS battery for at least 30 minutes.
If no luck with the above, then try to make certain the board is not shorting to the case. If that produces a fix, try to make the absence of a short permanent.

[jws34109]

I'll start on the presario 1200 in a month or so I'am in Fl. I left the machine in Wi.
Thank You Very Much
Jack