Member Avatar for can't take this

hello there, Daniweb community. I'm new to the site and know next to nothing about computers. I have got a problem. I suspect it's common, but regardless, I can't seem to find anyone else with the problem. What's been happening is my laptop (Compaq Presario F767NR) seems to turn off when I "open" the laptop. By that I mean when I flip the screen portion up so that both the keyboard and the monitor are exposed. I can only open it so much (less than a 90 degree angle) before the screen goes black (blank) and if I open even more than that (not much farther) it completely turns off. No shutdown or anything, just an unexpected "off". I imagine the problem is a wire or cable or some kind of conductor of electricity that has gone loose, and that would be why I have to be so careful with it, but I can't say for sure. If anyone knows what it could be, please please please share with me your advice, for this laptop is important to me. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Edited by can't take this because: n/a
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  • Latest Post Latest Post by aliwb

Dani AI

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Brief diagnostic note building on and : when lid movement reliably triggers loss of power, the cause is almost always a hardware fault in the hinge/display area or a power-connection problem — not an OS/drivers issue. The helpful goal is to quickly determine whether the machine is losing all power (fans/LEDs die) or only the built‑in panel goes dark while the machine continues to run.

Quick, safe checks to narrow it down:

  1. Reproduce the fault once while watching status LEDs and the fan. If lights/fan stop, that indicates a power interruption; if they stay on but the screen is black, that points to the display cable/inverter/backlight.
  2. Attach an external monitor (VGA/HDMI). If external shows output while the internal panel is black, focus on the display cable/inverter.
  3. Test power sources: with the laptop off, remove the battery (if removable) and test on AC only, then test on battery only. Always power down and unplug before removing the battery. Differences here isolate a bad battery/connector or a faulty DC jack.
  4. Remove any tape or adhesive used on the hinge; as @aliwb discovered, tape can jam the power or latch switches and make things worse.
  5. If comfortable opening the case, inspect the display cable at the hinge for fraying or pinching. Look for a loose DC jack or broken power-button assembly.

Recommended next actions: back up important data immediately. If testing shows only the screen is affected, replacing the display cable or inverter often fixes it. If the whole system loses power when the hinge moves, suspect the DC jack, battery contacts, or a short on the motherboard — those require careful repair or a shop. If unsure about disassembly or safety, professional repair is the prudent choice.

Member Avatar for aliwb

this has happened to me too! I have to hold it really carefully when I open it and wait before letting go of the screen. When I go to move it or the screen wobbles slightly it just shuts down. I think the hinge on the screen is loose as I can see when I open it one way and then the other then the laptop opens up slightly, but when I have it in the position that I have to use it, it is closed. I decided to sellotape it together, which actually helped slightly... but the power button went completely stiff and I couldn't turn it on and off. I really don't know what to do!!

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