Compaq Evo N115 Won't Start...

I own a Compaq Evo N115. While not the most thrilling computer experience I’ve had, the mobility aspect of simply packing a laptop has proven valuable. Recently it has stopped working however. When I attempt to turn it on, by pressing the button, it makes a click and winds up but nothing more. The power light is on, yet nothing ever displays on the screen. Upon pressing and holding the button for a moment to turn it back off, it does a similar wind down.

If I could just get it working again, I’d be interested in upgrading it as much as possible (bigger hard drive and processor, better video card, DVD burner?). I had installed more RAM upon initially purchasing it some years ago.

 

Try re-seating the RAM that may work but it's doubtful. It sounds like something on the motherboard is probably fried a transistor or such not allowing it to fully boot. I'm willing to bet the only way to fix this would be to get the motherboard replaced which would cost a lot.

 

Just the kind of thing I was hoping not to hear.

I had tried re-seating the RAM to no avail. Upon further probing of what did and didn't work however, I found that I can open the CD-Rom, flickering processing light and all. Furthermore, upon inserting a disk, it sounds as if it's trying to do something at first but then nothing else happens...

If repairing it would cost too much, I'm afraid it's no laptop for me... Probably for the rest of my life, hehe.

 

Did you do something like flashing/updating your laptop's BIOS or software? It may be the cause (a bad flash)

 

since theres a blank screen and the laptop is turning on it could also be the LCD is broken/connection loose?

 

No, I've not done anything to it. I let it sit unused and off for a few days, then it would not function when I returned.

I don't think it's just the LCD. It seems as though I would still hear the bios beep, as well as more harddrive activity if that were the case. I can assure you that it has never been a very quiet machine. Furthermore, I should be able to log into Windows by waiting the appropriate amount of time and then typing my password, thus giving off the typical login sound. Besides, I've tried plugging into both a regular CRT monitor AND my television via the S-Video jack.

 

I know it's almost a year later but I just got here. Did the Ram you put in was it SODIMM H ? if not get that RAM but the wind up could be the Mother board fried. Check the RAM first if not you could replace the board yorself for about $200 or less. I have one that someone else had and I cleaned it and up the RAM and she's running nice now