Author Topic: Does anyone know anything about computers? Need help.... (Read 323 times)

Robyn Norris · « **on:** July 09, 2008, 06:54:12 AM »

My laptop is not acting right. It won't let me download anything and when it reboots, it shows the welcoming page and then the screen goes black. If I hook up an external monitor, the laptop starts ok with no black screen but flickers a little. I can then remove the external monitor hook up and the laptop will work fine except for some flickering and it won't download certain files.

Any thoughts on this?

If it helps, it's a little over a year old and is an HP Pavilion dv9420us.

Just so you know, I have everything backed up so I won't lose anything.

Wrapcandy Forum Community · « **on:** July 09, 2008, 06:54:12 AM »

mloforte · « **Reply #1 on:** July 09, 2008, 07:17:45 AM »

I can't really be of any help with your computer, but did you type your problem in Google and try some troubleshooting?
I have done that and helped solve some of my problems when I had them.
Sorry I can't be of more help.

Shantell Graham · « **Reply #2 on:** July 09, 2008, 07:24:58 AM »

I would try going here and do a scan:

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Shantell Graham · « **Reply #3 on:** July 09, 2008, 07:26:11 AM »

Just click continue free scan

Robyn Norris · « **Reply #4 on:** July 09, 2008, 07:46:18 AM »

I've been troubleshooting online for 2 days. I have found that it could be the hard drive going out to the motherboard failing, to something inside that came lose.

I'm really ready to go buy a new one but thought I would ask here first. Thought maybe someone has had the same experience and knew how to resolve it.

Robyn Norris · « **Reply #5 on:** July 09, 2008, 07:52:40 AM »

Shantell - I tried the free scan but it didn't find anything. Thanks for the link though.

AliSarah · « **Reply #6 on:** July 09, 2008, 10:32:31 AM »

If something is coming loose, you could just open it up and tighten things and be able to save it... It might be worth a trip to someone who can work on it to have them check the connections for you. At least if you have them all checked, you know something is failing or not, and you don't replace a computer that wasn't really dying...

Huggles!!
~Sarah~

Shantell Graham · « **Reply #7 on:** July 09, 2008, 10:48:15 AM »

Good Idea Sarah. Maybe go to like best buy and have the geeks check it.

Robyn Norris · « **Reply #8 on:** July 09, 2008, 12:14:14 PM »

Thanks for the tip Sarah. I'll probably do that before I buy another one. I'll have to find some where other than Best Buy, the geeks there don't know anything about laptops.

foursailing08 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 09, 2008, 08:58:14 PM »

What about the warranty? You would think that it should still have warranty, gosh they just don't make things like they used to.

My laptop dies a while ago and it did the excate same thing. You can still turn it on and it starts with everything there but once you go to do anything the screen goes black. Found out it was the mother board and it woul dcdost $650.00 for a new one, now that's worth the money hey LOL.

I would try the warranty, things shouldn't be allowed to crash after such a short time.

Leanne

Robyn Norris · « **Reply #10 on:** July 10, 2008, 05:33:26 AM »

The warranty's out since I've had it over a year. I actually have it back up & running. Don't ask me for how long though. We'll see....

I'm thinking of buying another laptop anyway just to have a backup if this one goes out. Since you have to send them off to HP to be fixed, it takes 2 or 3 weeks to get them back. What to do without a laptop for that long...I don't even want to think about it.

Linda or Tony Murphy · « **Reply #11 on:** July 10, 2008, 05:56:22 AM »

Have you run a virus scan? The scans that come with the computers are usually good for 1 year. If it has expired, uninstall it, it's no good to you anyway.

AVAST virus scan is free and works really well.
CCleaner is free and very good, it will scan for all kinds of things & will clean your registry.

If you have downloaded any new programs lately you could have a program conflict. You can do a system restore and see if that helps.

If this is a PC, not a MAC, be sure that you have all of the critical updates from microsoft.com

Viruses, worms, trojans, bugs, conflicts & no updates can make a computer act really weird or can kill it completely.

You could see if you can call an HP techie or ask the Geek Squad at Best Buy.

Any computer should last longer than a year.

Robyn Norris · « **Reply #12 on:** July 10, 2008, 06:10:24 AM »

I have an updated virus/ spyware protection.I always take Norton out and replace with a better program right away. I've done a system restore, it didn't help. It gets updated from microsoft automatically so that's not it. I ran a check disk and that seemed to help for now. I'll probably call HP to see what they recommend.

If laptops don't last longer than 18 months, I won't pay $1400. for another one.

Thanks for the help everyone.

krzy4candy · « **Reply #13 on:** July 11, 2008, 05:39:54 PM »

i always go to www.geekstogo.com
they have always helped me to fix my computer problems ... its totally free and they have you use freeware. they are just volunteer geeks who help. Just follow the steps and see where it takes ya ... it takes a little time but well worth it. They saved me from buying new computers!! Good Luck!