Won't boot past HP Logo!!

Everything worked just fine yesterday, but today this laptop (dv6640) decided not to boot! When I turn it on, the HP logo appears almost instantly, and stays there. Has anyone had this problem and fixed it? Haven't even had the computer for 1 week yet, so If I can't fix it, I don't think its too late to take it back. Although I would prefer to keep it because I just got done transfering all the old files and pictures from my old computer.

 

That could be a million things. If you're not a tech, this is time to take it to a tech.

 

If the computer doesn't have one of those stickers that voids the warranty if you open the RAM compartment, I would recommend removing your RAM and reseating it. If you have more than one SODIMM, I would suggest attempting to boot from each stick individually, too.

Are you able to boot into the BIOS?

 

Ok, well I found some steps from HP on how to deal with the problem. I took the ram out, then put it back in. That solved something because now when it shows the HP logo, it now shows "Press <f2> to ..." ect on the bottom left corner. Still no Windows though. Next, I pressed F8 numerous times to safe boot, but it just shows a blank screen with a cursor after that. Now I am doing the Hard Disk Self Test (yes I can go to BIOS) to see if its the hard drive. Only 20% complete so far (takes 94 minutes?)... Anything else I should try or should I let the test continue?

Also, thanks for the quick responses! *secret* This isn't my computer its my mom who is out of town until Wednesday, so I am anxious to get this fixed so I don't get blamed!

EDIT: Also forgot to mention BIOS recognizes 2GB of Ram so I suppose the ram is working fine or should I still try to boot from 1 dimm?

 

I would still try to boot from each one independently. You might just get surprised. But above that I wouldn't do too much with it - I'd just send it back!

 

Crisis averted. Dunno what solved it. I tried to boot from each one independently and nothing different happened. Yet when I put both in again, I pressed F8 and bam! Windows boots! Thanks Everyone!

 

Uhhh... Take that back. I still doesn't work. Guess I will be taking it back

 

Burn and boot a MemTest86+ CD. Let it run for at least half an hour. If it flags any errors, take the notebook back and tell them what the problem is. (Don't mention the part about reseating the RAM.)

I suspect a software problem rather than hardware though. If you burned restore DVDs, use 'em, and while that's working do a thorough virus/worm/spyware sweep of your other machines.

 

Your startup file might be corrupt.

 

I recomend doing a system resore to ensure that it is not a software problem (if it will run), then memtest. Above that send it back. Fundamentalman thinks it is bad memory or bad memory socket.

 

Remember to use a destructive restore when you restore. Kill everything on the disk.

 

Also, let us know how it turns out. I am curious at this point.