Member Avatar for scedwards11

I have an HP Pavilion dv8135nr. The main HD crashed. I got a new HD, installed it in the laptop. When trying to re-load my recovery/intall CD, the computer keeps shutting down like it would if the battery were dead. I tried having just the power supply and no battery, but it keeps doing an abrupt shut down. The computer won't stay running more than maybe 30 seconds then wham it's off. Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

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Good pointers from (possible overheating) and (isolate the drive). The following concise, ordered checklist is intended to narrow the problem to one of three areas: power delivery (adapter/DC jack/motherboard), the added hard drive, or thermal/fan failure. Steps proceed from simple, low-risk checks to more invasive inspection.

  1. Power supply and DC jack

    • Confirm the AC adapter matches the laptop voltage/current rating and shows its rated voltage. An adapter can measure OK open-circuit but fail under load; substituting a known-good adapter is a fast check.
    • Watch the DC jack while powering on for any looseness or flicker that could indicate an intermittent connection or short.

  2. Minimal-boot isolation

    • Power the machine with only essential components (CPU/heatsink, one RAM stick, no internal storage or optical drive). If the system stays powered longer, the internal drive may be causing an overcurrent or short.
    • Test the suspect drive externally using a USB-to-SATA adapter or by connecting it to a desktop to confirm it spins up and is healthy.

  3. Thermal and fan

    • Observe whether the cooling fan starts immediately at power-on and clear vents with compressed air. A seized fan or poor heatsink contact can cause rapid thermal shutdowns, though true thermal trips usually take longer than a few seconds.

  4. Memory, BIOS, and board inspection

    • Try each RAM module alone and in different slots. Reset CMOS (remove RTC battery briefly) to rule out firmware oddities.
    • Visually inspect the motherboard for bulging capacitors, burn marks, or a damaged power section. A faulty power regulator or short on the board will cause abrupt shutdowns and usually requires component-level repair.

When these steps point to the drive or adapter, replace or test those parts first. If the fault points to the motherboard power circuitry or a loose DC jack, professional diagnosis/repair is recommended for safety and accurate rail measurements. Safety note: always disconnect mains and main battery and observe ESD precautions before opening the chassis.

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Member Avatar for jbennet

Sounds like an overheat?

Member Avatar for HoustonIT

Remove the hd and try to boot. Will the system stay up for longer than 30 seconds this way? If so, your new hd might be the culprit.

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