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Question

HP Touchsmart 310-1037 Black screen on startup

Mar 19, 2015 6:38AM PDT

When I press the power switch, the switch lights up, the fan wooshes, and I hear some clicking, but screen is black.

I've tried unplugging it and holding down the power switch, and then restarting. That worked a couple of times, but no more.

I tried the F5, F10 routine, and that didn't work.

I took the back off, and reset the RAM cards, and checked the battery, and no go.

I think this is a fairly common problem, and I've heard that it might be the motherboard, but I don't just want to buy a motherboard without knowing what the exact problem is.

I plan on contacting HP Support later, but in the mean time, does anybody know any further diagnostics to help me narrow down the problem? Thanks in advance. Ed

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Tell me about that battery check.
Mar 19, 2015 7:06AM PDT

How many Volts did it read?

As to the motherboard, this is where service centers have it all over us. They can swap in a board and not take the wallet shrinkage.
Bob

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voltage
Mar 19, 2015 7:22AM PDT

I used my multimeter, and it read 3.09 volts

Ed

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For a CR2032 that's a pass.
Mar 19, 2015 7:33AM PDT
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A little clarification please
Mar 19, 2015 7:58AM PDT

I'm not afraid to tear into a computer, but am basically a beginner at this stuff. Could you please explain it a little better. Are you saying to remove the Hard Disc Drive, and ODD (Optical Disc Drive??,) I don't know what that is but I think it might be the disc drive in the side. I removed that when I checked the battery to access screws, and remove one RAM stick and re-try.

When you say 'power supply' are you talking internal, or the external cord with the transformer?

I was also going to try another monitor via a usb to make sure it's not the screen.

Thanks for the link with the parts, it was helpful

Ed

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Remove = unplug them and set aside.
Mar 19, 2015 8:49AM PDT

Those parts are not required to see if it's those or the mainboard/power supply.

The external cord and transformer is a full fledged power supply. Just out board rather inside as with a desktop.
Bob

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Ok I'll try it.
Mar 19, 2015 9:15AM PDT

Will try later, am at work now. Ed

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OK, I did it, and still black.
Mar 20, 2015 1:11AM PDT

I removed the drives and one stick of RAM, and re-tried, and still the same thing.

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Then the fault is in these last parts.
Mar 20, 2015 2:11AM PDT

Sorry it didn't fire up but looking around unless the mainboard is really cheap I would not fix this one.
Bob

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Also tried re-seating the processor...
Mar 20, 2015 2:22AM PDT

...and I tested the output voltage on the power supply. It's supposed to be 18.5V and I got a steady 19.5V..........still black screen.

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OK, thanks Rob.
Mar 20, 2015 2:27AM PDT

I'm not sure if this is cheap, but the motherboard for this one is $114. What do you think? Any chance it's a bad processor? I know they're cheap.

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Rarely a bad CPU
Mar 20, 2015 2:37AM PDT
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OK, thanks.
Mar 20, 2015 3:04AM PDT

I definitely hear what you are saying.

It might be a tough repair like you say, and it still might not work.

The risk is small, only time and a little $, oh and I forgot a lot of frustration Happy. I like a challenge.

Thanks for the links, we might be using them. Ed

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Parting advice.
Mar 20, 2015 3:07AM PDT

Look for BAD CAPS on that old board (and new one?)

Google BAD CAPS to learn what to look for and why this happened. I've lost count of how many I've seen over the years.
Bob

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Answer
One more question
Mar 20, 2015 3:28AM PDT

First, thanks for all your help, and I don't want to over stay my welcome.

I will look for the bad caps.

One big issue is that my wife doesn't want to lose the hard drive. If we do get a new computer, can I just take the old hard drive and put it in a case and plug it in externally to the new computer.

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Yes. That's the usual thing to do.
Mar 20, 2015 3:36AM PDT

There are many such things out there today case wise.

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I replaced the motherboard
Mar 29, 2015 8:23AM PDT

Rob, Did you realize that I was the one that started the more recent thread about losing Windows license after replacing the motherboard? It all worked out...motherboard replaced and Windows is now running smoothly. Ironically on the new motherboard 2 caps were a bit bent, so I straightened them a little and pressed them down. Fortunately they were flexible and didn't break and were undamaged. The caps on the old board were stiff, and just for the grins I tried to bend one of the old ones and it just snapped off. Thanks for all your help. Ed