Member Avatar for Karen.buunhi91

My Compaq Presario laptop is 4-5 year old ( i know it may be too old). But last week when i turned it on, the screen just went black. I tried to to shut it down by pressing the power key and restart it again, but it stayed black. I dont know what to do cuz the screen showed nothing for me to fix. i really wanna fix it myself ( so to save some money) please if anyone be so kind to help me out pleaseeee!!!!!

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A short diagnostic summary for based on the thread so far: a laptop that powers on but shows a black screen usually fits into three practical categories — no POST/power problem, video output present but no backlight, or a motherboard/GPU failure. Comments from and have already started narrowing those possibilities; the following expands the troubleshooting path and highlights safe checks that add value without repeating earlier posts verbatim.

If the machine gives no obvious signs of POST (no fan/HDD activity or LEDs), the fault often sits with the power input or mainboard power circuitry. A basic multimeter check of the AC adapter output and a visual check of the DC jack for looseness are low-risk ways to confirm power delivery before any internal work. If the system shows signs of life (fans, drive activity, keyboard LEDs respond or the OS sounds), the graphics pipeline is more likely.

A useful non-invasive test for display vs backlight: in a dim room, shine a strong flashlight at the screen from a shallow angle. A faint desktop or login screen visible under bright light points to a failed backlight or inverter (common on older laptops). No image at all while the rest of the machine appears to boot points to the panel, its cable, or the video output stage on the board. Beep/LED POST patterns and toggling display-output keys can further indicate POST success or failure.

For hands-on checks that remain safe for cautious users: try swapping or reseating memory modules (bad RAM can prevent POST), visually inspect the LCD cable at the hinge if comfortable doing so, and avoid powered disassembly without ESD precautions. As noted, opening a laptop is riskier than desktop work; if internal fault-finding is uncertain, a short paid diagnostic at a repair shop often saves time. Given the age of a Presario, weigh repair cost (panel/inverter/board) against replacement.

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Member Avatar for flagstar

Hi and welcome to Daniweb!

When you power on your laptop, does all hardware working ie. fan, HDD, etc. except screen?

When was the last you used and it still worked?

Member Avatar for jingda

So your laptop is not starting at all and you can't see a thing. Try clearing the heatsink, make sure there is no dust to rule out an overheating issue. Can you try reseating the graphic card.

Member Avatar for flagstar

So your laptop is not starting at all and you can't see a thing. Try clearing the heatsink, make sure there is no dust to rule out an overheating issue. Can you try reseating the graphic card.

Jingda, you miss the other point again...

My Compaq Presario laptop is 4-5 year old

Member Avatar for jingda

Where? Which point?

Member Avatar for flagstar

Where? Which point?

Reseating heatsink and graphic card when it was a laptop to begin with?? Ignore this if you do know what to do...

Member Avatar for jingda

Forget my advise above. Try taking out the battery and use the power cord and see whether that works. If you have an external monitor, connect it with your laptop and check whether you can view anything?

@ Flagstar

Why does clearing heatsink does not applied and work in this case?

Member Avatar for flagstar

because people rarely brave enough to open their own laptop casing and taking out component inside without knowing what they are except the laptop were already dead to begin with. If you have no knowledge whatsoever on laptop maintenance, would you try to salvage it on your own? Even I won't dare to open mine...

Member Avatar for jingda

Ok sorry for the late reply. I never really consider about the OP. By the way why have not the OP reply?

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