Member Avatar for joy22_22

I own a Compaq laptop w/ the Windows Vista System (and Sempron). It's not verry old, about a year maybe two and I've had no issues with it so far. However, I was playing an online video from youtube that it was having no issues with. I do have it on powersaving and hadn't touched the mouse so it went black on the screen and the music cut out. Now I haven't been able to turn it on for nearly 3 days! (Thank goodness I have 2 laptops.) I need it for college work but anytime I press the power button, the light showing power flashes 3 times and won't turn on. How can I turn it back on? I've tried:
-Closing and Re-Opening it
-Unplugging the Power cord to see if it will just die and kinda "re-boot" its self
-Holding the Power button Down

Any insight is appreciated!

Joy

*Please note: I have just joined and I'm hoping I am in the right thread. This was the first place that allowed me to figure out how to post a thread.

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Dani AI

Generated

This thread describes a very common power-delivery failure rather than a Windows/Vista problem. Early suggestions from and to check power components were on point, and ’s follow-up that the DC jack was loose confirms the likely cause: a failed DC-in jack or its solder joints (mechanical wear/strain), a bad adapter, or a related power-rail fault.

Recommended diagnostic checklist (least invasive first):

  • Inspect the AC adapter and cable for frays, heat damage, or a missing adapter LED. Swap in a known-good adapter or check the adapter output with a multimeter to confirm proper voltage.
  • Perform an embedded-controller discharge: remove battery and AC, press-and-hold the power button for 15–30 seconds, then connect AC (no battery) and attempt power-on. This can clear transient EC/SMC hangs.
  • Visually and manually check the DC jack for play. Any wobble, intermittent contact, or power only when the plug is held at an angle indicates jack or solder failure.
  • If the jack is faulty, a short-term workaround is strain-relief (tape, cable routing) but the long-term fix is jack replacement or board-level repair by a technician. DIY soldering risks further board damage unless experienced.
  • If repair isn’t immediately practical, remove the hard drive and use a USB enclosure or adapter to copy important data before sending the machine for service.

Notes and cautions: opening the chassis can void warranty; if the laptop is under warranty, contact HP/Compaq first. Replacing a DC jack is usually inexpensive compared with motherboard replacement, but a professional assessment is recommended to avoid accidental damage.

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Member Avatar for Member #697672

Have you tried removing the battery


I own a Compaq laptop w/ the Windows Vista System (and Sempron). It's not verry old, about a year maybe two and I've had no issues with it so far. However, I was playing an online video from youtube that it was having no issues with. I do have it on powersaving and hadn't touched the mouse so it went black on the screen and the music cut out. Now I haven't been able to turn it on for nearly 3 days! (Thank goodness I have 2 laptops.) I need it for college work but anytime I press the power button, the light showing power flashes 3 times and won't turn on. How can I turn it back on? I've tried:
-Closing and Re-Opening it
-Unplugging the Power cord to see if it will just die and kinda "re-boot" its self
-Holding the Power button Down

Any insight is appreciated!

Joy

*Please note: I have just joined and I'm hoping I am in the right thread. This was the first place that allowed me to figure out how to post a thread.

Member Avatar for Member #697672

try removing the battery, then put it back and switch on

Member Avatar for joy22_22

i just tried that, and it's still doing the same thing. I left the battery out for a few min.

Member Avatar for Xlphos

Hello,

Have you tried the laptop without the battery?
Try removing the battery, attach the power cord to the laptop and try turning the laptop on.

- Let us know how it goes.

Member Avatar for joy22_22

I just got back from taking it to a man who fixed my other laptop after it had the "blue screen of death" (?. Turns out my jack for the laptop I had the problem with is lose. It's currently being fixed. Thanks for all the help!

Joy

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