Member Avatar for mozez1975

Hi there. I have an hp desktop that runs windows xp home and when its turned on, all lights and evrything work properly untill the blu hp screen comes on and the power light stays on for about 30 seconds and then goes out and nothing else happens...

Any ideas?

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by caperjack

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This is a pre-boot failure: the machine reaches the HP splash, then the system shuts itself off before Windows starts. That pattern points to a hardware or firmware problem rather than the OS. correctly lists motherboard, video card or memory as possible causes, and ’s real-world result (removing the optical drive restored boot) shows how an attached device can bring the whole system down. Use the short checklist below to isolate the faulty component in a safe, ordered way.

  1. Remove nonessential devices first. With power removed, disconnect all USB devices and internal extras (optical drive, extra hard drives, card readers, PCI cards). Try powering the system with only CPU, one RAM stick, PSU, and video (use onboard video if available).
  2. If it boots with minimal hardware, add components back one at a time until the failure returns — the last item reconnected is the likely culprit. This mirrors @Pattikat’s result: a failed or shorting optical drive can stop POST.
  3. Reseat and test RAM sticks one at a time in different slots. Bad memory often prevents POST or causes unusual shutdowns.
  4. Check the PSU. A dying power supply can let the board start then die under load. Swap in a known-good unit or use a PSU tester if available. Avoid creative power-short tests unless you know what you are doing.
  5. Reset BIOS/CMOS by removing the battery for a few minutes or using the clear-jumper procedure for the board. Also watch for beep codes or front-panel LED blink patterns and compare them to the HP service diagnostics for your model.
  6. Visually inspect the motherboard for bulging/leaking capacitors, burn marks, or loose standoffs that could short the PCB. Those are reliable signs the board needs repair or replacement.

Recover data before major repairs by mounting the hard drive in another PC or using a USB adapter. If the minimal-boot tests still fail and no PSU swap helps, the fault is most likely the motherboard (or very rarely the CPU). For model-specific steps and beep/LED code meanings, consult the HP maintenance/service guide for that exact Pavilion model.

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Member Avatar for BeastOverlordH6

Considering the problem occurs systemmatically, at this menu, I'm assuming there's something up with the motherboard.

This could additionally be a problem with the video card, even memory, but my presumption is leaning heavily onto the board. The only way to attempt a fix would require another motherboard to test from.

:( Not much else to provide, motherboards are hardly fixable.

Member Avatar for Pattikat

Hi there. I have an hp desktop that runs windows xp home and when its turned on, all lights and evrything work properly untill the blu hp screen comes on and the power light stays on for about 30 seconds and then goes out and nothing else happens...

Any ideas?

I was having this same problem. Not being an expert I gave some good old "give it a try" ideas.
I unplugged my dvd/cd player and got back to the regular screen of windows, everything else works good. I am going to take this as it needs to be replaced. If anyone has suggestions as to what to buy, I would appreciate it. Mine is a HP pavilion a705w.
Thank you!
Hopes this helps someone.

Member Avatar for caperjack

I was having this same problem. Not being an expert I gave some good old "give it a try" ideas.
I unplugged my dvd/cd player and got back to the regular screen of windows, everything else works good. I am going to take this as it needs to be replaced. If anyone has suggestions as to what to buy, I would appreciate it. Mine is a HP pavilion a705w.
Thank you!
Hopes this helps someone.

hi dvd burners are really cheap now so you could replace it with one,not sure that one of the basic models is much better than the other,but i have really good use out of my 5yr old LG model ,they see here in Canada for about 30-35 dollars

Edited by caperjack because: n/a
Member Avatar for AISF

First check i your BIOS setup.in that select SATA DISK as enable then try it

Member Avatar for caperjack

First check i your BIOS setup.in that select SATA DISK as enable then try it

machine to old to have sata i think,board dosn't have sata .

Edited by caperjack because: n/a
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