Random Fix – Computer Help

I am working on a Dell 530S that when shut down properly from within Windows, restarts roughly a few seconds after a complete shut down.  I have tried everything from updating the BIOS, installing the latest chipset drivers, removing the memory modules and replacing them with new ones, as well as changing the memory module slots, resetting the CMOS, disabling every single power feature within the BIOS, changing the power settings within Windows, as well as changing out the power supply.  The computer still turns on after a few seconds.  I’ve gotten it to shut down completely once or twice but it will consistently not shut down after I turn it back on again.

This is definitely boggling my mind.  Doing a Google search yields very little results with one or two that match the same thing I’m through.  The suggestion in those were all related to turning off the power settings or power on settings in the BIOS.  I tried it all.

My next guess is simply that it’s a motherboard failure and that a new motherboard is going to be required.  There isn’t much more I can do at this point.  The strange thing is that this is the second computer within the past month with the same symptom.  Although the last computer was not a Dell, it was a Compaq.

If you encounter this while trying to install the standalone .Net Framework 1.1 or even 2.0 or 3.0, try doing this:

Go to your start menu.

Click on Run

Type in msiexec.exe /regserver

Hit Enter

Now try it again.  It should work.

If you’re having a problem with double clicking on My Computer, C:, D:, E: drive itself or also when you’re double click on a folder and the search companion comes up, check out this Microsoft support article.

It’s very easy to fix although it does entail going into the registry and changing one or two things.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321186

Has your Dell recently died with symptoms of the ability to turn on but no display being shown?  You may have encountered the dreaded mobile nVidia chipset problem!  Nvidia has several chipsets, specially I believe the 8400 and the 8600 although I have heard of other series being affected too, in which the chipset or video card overheats and dies.  Supposedly it’s the solder points on the actual video card that is being lifted off of the motherboard and in doing so is causing there to be no display.

There are a few main series of laptops that are being affected by this extended warranty.

If you’ve any of the above listed laptops, stick around to find out more.  It appears that Dell is in its infancy stages with setting this program up.  If you need more info. feel free to check out their direct2dell blog.

It appears that nVidia’s head honcho has confirmed why the chips are failing.  Like I mentioned, there are solder points on the video card which hold it in place on the motherboard.  Apparently the unit gets so hot the solder points melt and they lift off of the motherboard.  In doing so, it no longer makes proper contact, thus, the display of the laptop no longer works properly.

HP Pavilion dv2000/dv6000/dv9000 and Compaq Presario v3000/v6000 Series Notebook PCs

Hello, I recently came across a mixture of six DVxxxx series laptops that utilized an AMD Turion X2 processor and a Broadcom wireless card/chipset. 

ALL six laptops exuded symptoms of:

·         Laptop turns on with lights turning on as well but no display on the LCD.

·         Laptop turns on with lights turning on as well but no display on the LCD and no display with an external monitor hooked up to it.

·         Laptop turns on momentarily with the lights flashing briefly for roughly two seconds and then the lights and the entire laptop shuts off.

Prior to these things occurring you may encounter the following:

·         Wireless no longer works.

·         Wireless device is no longer listed in device manager.

·         Wireless device works but sometimes drops out and then disappears completely.

If you are experiencing ANY of these symptoms, I highly recommend contacting HP right away.  There is a manufacturer’s defect with what seems to be attributed to the wireless Broadcom card and the motherboard’s chipset.  I haven’t confirmed this but this is what seems to be the consensus.

The good news is, even if you’re warranty with HP has expired, you will be covered as they have extended the warranty for an additional 24 months while they repair and replace these defective computers.

What amazes me is not many people know about this.  I didn’t even know about this.  Prior to finding out about the recall I kept seeing more and more of the same exact laptop come through the shop only to suffer from the same exact symptoms (symptoms are listed above).

I felt sick at the fact that HP seemed to have made these laptops just roughly one year and a few months and then it dies.  It seemed to me like they put in a pre-made time bomb so that people would be forced to have to buy a new HP laptop after their warranty ran out.

I’m happy that HP is making good on their error and are extending the warranty for an additional 24 months.

Here is the contact information you need:

To contact HP in North America call 1-866-671-7362 from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm MST, 7 days a week.

Here is a link to a very large thread in the HP support forum.  Please be aware that this thread can take a few minutes to actually load on your computer, even if you have an updated/super fast/mighty computer.