Member Avatar for classic_max1

Hi everyone, and Happy New Year. I've been having a problem with my HP Pavilion a450y that I bought off the HP website about 4 years ago, and I hope that you'll be able to give me a hand with this!

I performed a system restore a few days ago (restoring factory settings). Ever since, I've been able to turn on the computer, but unable to get to the POST screen.

The light underneath the power button that blinks with PC activity blinks once before staying solid.

Back before I had this problem, the fan used to whir pretty loudly for about one second at the POST screen before slowing down when Windows XP would start up. Now when I turn the computer on, the fan doesn't stop whirring loudly, and I can't even reach the POST screen.

I've tried unplugging the fan, using a different graphics card, and using different RAM, but none of these have solved the problem thus far.

Could it be a problem with the heat sink? Or might it be the processor?

Thanks a lot for your help!

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by prsrose

Dani AI

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Useful follow-ups to the ideas already posted by and — a short, ordered plan that fills the gaps most threads miss.

Start with a safe visual check: power off and unplug, then inspect the motherboard around the CPU/VRM area for bulging, cracked, or leaking electrolytic capacitors and any burn discoloration. Visible capacitor failure and leakage are classic causes of sudden no‑POST behavior. (en.wikipedia.org)

Next, treat the power supply as suspect even if its fan runs. A PSU can spin yet fail to provide correct rails or a stable Power‑Good signal; force it on standalone (paperclip/jumper) and measure the +12V, +5V, +3.3V and the 5VSB/PG lines with a multimeter before connecting any components. If voltages are out of tolerance or PG is absent, replace the PSU or swap in a known‑good unit. (blog.silverpc.hu)

If the PSU looks OK, perform a minimal “bench” test on a nonconductive surface: CPU + cooler, one DIMM in the recommended slot, PSU (24‑pin + CPU 4/8), and video only if needed. Use a small internal speaker on the front‑panel header to catch POST beeps (many boards don’t include one by default). This eliminates case shorts and helps the board produce a diagnostic beep or code. (blog.silverpc.hu)

If there’s still no POST sound or video, consult BIOS/POST diagnostics: beep patterns and manufacturer POST codes differ by vendor (AMI/Award/Phoenix), so add a speaker and check the relevant code table. For HP systems where firmware corruption is suspected, follow HP’s BIOS recovery guidance (USB or key‑combo methods) before assuming the board/CPU is dead. If all of the above fails, the likely culprits are motherboard power‑delivery failure or CPU fault — at that point professional bench testing or a board swap is the most practical route. (thomas-krenn.com)

Safety note: always work with mains unplugged, discharge capacitors by holding the power button after unplugging, and avoid probing live circuits unless confident and using proper tools.

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Member Avatar for caperjack

after the restore ,did it boot for you and then stop booting ,or after the restore it just hasn't boot completely yet . if no to last / ,did you try and do the restore again ,as something obviously went wrong

Member Avatar for classic_max1

I was able to boot the computer properly once or twice before the problem arose, so I didn't think anything was wrong at the time. But now I can't even get the computer to reach the POST screen.

Member Avatar for caperjack

check in the bios and make sure that it still sees you harddrive .
and or maybe do/try the restore again

Member Avatar for classic_max1

Sorry, I don't think I've been clear enough. The problem is that I can't get to BIOS... matter of fact, I can't get anything to display on my monitor at all. I turn on the computer and nothing shows up on the monitor.

Member Avatar for caperjack

time for hands on computer repair shop i guess .i'm not much help unless i'm right in front of it !

Member Avatar for classic_max1

OK, thanks very much for your help.

Member Avatar for caperjack

Sorry, I don't think I've been clear enough. The problem is that I can't get to BIOS... matter of fact, I can't get anything to display on my monitor at all. I turn on the computer and nothing shows up on the monitor.

just a thought ,any chance you have a second monitor around to try it ,also what fan is spinning really fast the cpu one!?
.unplug power to everything like cdrom and floppy drive and harddrive ,just leave power to the motherboard ,remove all ram chips,and any pci cards like network and modems if any ,and try,you should hear beeps because of the no ram ,if no beeps then the motherboard/ or cpu is not working

Member Avatar for prsrose

just a thought ,any chance you have a second monitor around to try it ,also what fan is spinning really fast the cpu one!?
.unplug power to everything like cdrom and floppy drive and harddrive ,just leave power to the motherboard ,remove all ram chips,and any pci cards like network and modems if any ,and try,you should hear beeps because of the no ram ,if no beeps then the motherboard/ or cpu is not working

perhaps consider the graphics card variable-- if its vga/onboard or a PCI etc. Not sure if this is of any relevance, but a variable to at least look into.

I'm having similiar problems with my HP m1000 computer -- but i can get to bios etc just cant get a re-install or boot.

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