Compaq Evo N800C Doesn't Boot, Fan Won't Spin

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jamiphar · #1 Post by **jamiphar** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 5:26 pm

I know this is a Thinkpads forums, but the basics of one laptop are pretty much the same as others...

My recently-acquired Evo N800C has a problem....I press the power button and it turns on (the lights go on, and I hear the DVD-ROM and hard drive spin up), but the LCD and the fan don't turn on. It doesn't seem to boot or show a display when attached to an external monitor.

Has anyone ever had a laptop with this problem? Could it be a bad motherboard even though the hard drive and DVD-ROM spin up?

Orevin · #2 Post by **Orevin** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 6:12 pm

I would check the memory first. Reseat it or replace it with one that is known to be good (PC2700 DDR).

jamiphar · #3 Post by **jamiphar** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 7:26 pm

I just tried it with a known working one (PC2700) from my brother's laptop, and it didn't make any difference.

#4 Post by **GomJabbar** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 9:00 pm

Check the complete list of changes for the latest BIOS update. I remember seeing something similar as a problem that a BIOS update was supposed to fix on a T43. Whether a BIOS update could be applied at this time, I am not sure. The following is a quote from the T43 BIOS update page.

Version 70ET68WW (1.28)
Note: This BIOS version will only work with Embedded Controller Program Version 1.04 (or higher).
(Fix) If the computer is forced to shut down by special conditions (pressing the power button for a few seconds or exhausted battery in suspend mode), the computer may not function after power on.

One thing you could try is remove the main battery and backup battery and wait at least 10 minutes for the CMOS data to be cleared. Reinstall the backup battery and main battery, plug in the AC adapter and see what happens.

jamiphar · #5 Post by **jamiphar** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 9:52 pm

I've checked the revision history, but I don't see anything pertaining to the issue I'm having.
I've also already tried removing the batteries and draining the power like you said, but it didn't change anything.

Orevin · #6 Post by **Orevin** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:37 pm

Remove accessories, like ethernet/wireless/modem cards, optical drives (if possible) and USB devices. If that doesn't help, open the machine and reseat the CPU.

jamiphar · #7 Post by **jamiphar** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 11:03 pm

I've tried powering on with nothing but ram and processor and I've had the same result. I've also carefully reseated the CPU after cleaning out the socket with an air duster and there still isn't any change.

#8 Post by **GomJabbar** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 11:10 pm

RIP

One notebook users opinion.

jamiphar · #9 Post by **jamiphar** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 11:14 pm

GomJabbar wrote:RIP

I hope not, but if it is, I think it'd be worth getting a new motherboard as I got this laptop for free.

jamiphar · #10 Post by **jamiphar** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 7:09 pm

I recently took a look at the Evo's motherboard to see if there's simply a blown fuse or something. Problem is, I can't tell which components are fuses (or if there ARE any fuses). The ThinkPad motherboard would be marked with an "F" and be pretty easy to find anyway, but I don't see anything like those in this.

I'm trying to decipher the names of the various components, I figure C is capacitor, R is resistor, L is inductor, and Q appears to be transistor....but what are U, D, X, and CHK? Would fuses be under any letter other than F?
Also, feel free to correct me on C, R, L, and Q if I'm mistaken.

jamiphar · #11 Post by **jamiphar** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 9:47 pm

Is there anybody who knows which letters are assigned to the various components?

#12 Post by **JaneL** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 10:39 pm

jamiphar wrote:Is there anybody who knows which letters are assigned to the various components?

Have you tried the HP/Compaq forum at http://forum.notebookreview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=3

jamiphar · #13 Post by **jamiphar** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 10:46 pm

nonny wrote:Have you tried the HP/Compaq forum at http://forum.notebookreview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=3

No, I haven't. But that's not a bad idea.

:EDIT:
I just posted a thread over there, I'll update here if anything changes.

jamiphar · #14 Post by **jamiphar** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 12:24 am

I just replaced the motherboard (and the CPU, it came with the mobo), and the Evo fired right up. I'm waiting for an 80GB drive to arrive for it, so I installed Fedora Core 6 on a 5.1GB drive for the time being. I finally get to try out the sweet 15" SXGA+ display this machine has.

NS · #15 Post by NS » Sun Feb 11, 2007 3:15 am

Hey try this. http://www.notebookforums.com/forum94.html

*Many of our members from this forum are members over there too*

Compaq Evo N800C Doesn't Boot, Fan Won't Spin

Compaq Evo N800C Doesn't Boot, Fan Won't Spin

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