[Christina Kovalic]

I have an old HP laptop from 2009 (G61-320US) that for some reason is not working correctly.  The computer boots up, but black screen.  No beeps, but power light remains on and you can tell fan is running.  I know a little about computers, but not that much :-).

-Have had a wacky battery for years now, that it needs to remain on charger at all times to boot up or keep running, so I think battery won't keep charge - but think battery and cable are OK for most part.
-Tried to reset BIOs doing the thing where you hold down the windows key and B, then power button, then release – nothing L
-Checked screen with bright light to see anything - nothing.
-Removed battery, held down power button for 3 min. to discharge any energy.
-Removed and reinserted RAM (and switched around slots – 4 different ways), tried starting each time, no success.
-I even cleaned the RAM slots and removed any dust (with bulb air blower I have).  Made sure to not touch any contacts, etc.
-Ordered new RAM online yesterday to see if that will fix the problem, will try when it comes in.  Although I will feel guilty about spending the money if that does not fix the problem and it’s just a dead motherboard.
 

Basically, I wanted to know if there is any sure fire way to see if the motherboard is truly dead?  Is the motherboard even worth replacing considering the computer is so old?  Also, I am not sure if it is even worth having a technician look at the computer if the computer is so old, and maybe I should just get another one?  Sorry this is so long winded, hoping someone can point me in the right direction and/or maybe something I have not tried yet?  I have heard about using the oven to reflow the motherboard – but I am sure I would screw something up with that J.

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Sounds more like the screen rather than the motherboard is it sounds like it is booting and not beeping.

 

The obvious way to rule out a bad screen is to connect it to an external monitor.  

(Sometimes you need to also press a function key to switch between the laptop screen and the external monitor.  Come to think of it that could be what happened to yours.  Try pressing and holding the Fn key then press the f4 key and release both keys.  Each time you do it is is supposed to switch back and forth between internal and external.

[RKinner]

Sounds more like the screen rather than the motherboard is it sounds like it is booting and not beeping.

 

The obvious way to rule out a bad screen is to connect it to an external monitor.  

(Sometimes you need to also press a function key to switch between the laptop screen and the external monitor.  Come to think of it that could be what happened to yours.  Try pressing and holding the Fn key then press the f4 key and release both keys.  Each time you do it is is supposed to switch back and forth between internal and external.

[Christina Kovalic]

Forgot to mention that I tried that.  I hooked it up to a VGA monitor and my HDMI tv and nothing :-(

[HolyCowZ]

I suspect you tired the check list on the HP site for booting and a blank screen?

http://support.hp.co...ument/c03518165

 

Maybe your GPU has died as my dying gpu when stressed has the light come on and stay on.

 

Sorry for interrupting Rkinner I'll but out now just thought maybe gpu as mine does similar and is almost dead.

[RKinner]

Yes but when you hooked up the monitor did you play with fn + F4?

 

Doubtful that it's a memory error.  Pull the memory and boot up.  Without memory it should beep.  Sounds like the mobo is really toast.  Changing out a mobo on an HP is a real pain so I would be inclined to junk it.

[Christina Kovalic]

Yup, did the FN + F4, no go.  Tried without memory as well, no beeps.  I think its probably toast too.  Just was not sure if I was missing anything else to try.  Wish there was a light or something that could clearly tell you a motherboard is dead, lol.

[RKinner]

Just out of curiosity, do you know if it normally gives you a light when you plug in an Ethernet cable?  If so does it do it now?

[Christina Kovalic]

Does not have Ethernet light, and never noticed one before, so I don't think it has one.