Compaq EVO N115 - No Video, No Bios Beep

morari · 03-28-2008, 05:05 PM

I have a fairly old Compaq EVO N115. It's always been an underpowered machine, but worked fine for simple word processing and web surfing. Upon initially receiving it, I upgraded the memory with a 256mb stick of RAM. It was compatible and the computer ran for years. Some months ago however, the thing seemingly died.

I had not used it for some time and went to boot it up one day. Well, nothing seemed to happen. Upon further inspection, it didn't quite seem to be booting at all. There is clearly power running through it as all of the appropriate lights flash, the hard drive can be heard spinning up, the CD-Rom will open and spin, etc. However, there is no video at all and it doesn't seem to be making it through (or even to) the BIOS. There is no beep after POST, and no Windows start-up sound if I just leave it sit.

I also checked the video by hooking it into my television via s-video and also into a regular VGA monitor. Still nothing. I'm thinking that it isn't necessarily video related however, due the the apparent lack of any BIOS activity. I've taken it apart down to the motherboard and reseated just about everything I could think of, yet still lacked results.

Thoughts?

**TriggerFinger** · 03-28-2008, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morari

I have a fairly old Compaq EVO N115. It's always been an underpowered machine, but worked fine for simple word processing and web surfing. Upon initially receiving it, I upgraded the memory with a 256mb stick of RAM. It was compatible and the computer ran for years. Some months ago however, the thing seemingly died.

I had not used it for some time and went to boot it up one day. Well, nothing seemed to happen. Upon further inspection, it didn't quite seem to be booting at all. There is clearly power running through it as all of the appropriate lights flash, the hard drive can be heard spinning up, the CD-Rom will open and spin, etc. However, there is no video at all and it doesn't seem to be making it through (or even to) the BIOS. There is no beep after POST, and no Windows start-up sound if I just leave it sit. -- put a flashlight on the LCD and see if there is any activity after you powered it up.

I also checked the video by hooking it into my television via s-video and also into a regular VGA monitor. -- I am not sure a TV will work but I believe an external monitor would do.

Still nothing. I'm thinking that it isn't necessarily video related however, due the the apparent lack of any BIOS activity. I've taken it apart down to the motherboard and reseated just about everything I could think of, yet still lacked results.

Thoughts?

Use an external monitor and not a TV set. AFAIK using a TV set would require 'other' things to make it run, even visible on the TV... in a way it would a little bit more complicated. So keep it simple.. use an external monitor... if you do not have one, i am sure a friend with a desktop PC would.

morari · 03-28-2008, 05:37 PM

Sorry for the confusion. I did use a regular computer monitor with the laptop's VGA jack. However, on the off chance that the s-video jack would do something I tried it as well. I don't know of any s-video enabled monitors however, so I used my television in that regard

What do you mean by placing a flashlight on the LCD? Are you thinking that perhaps the display is just not lighting up, but may in fact be showing something? Interesting. I'll edit this post after trying and relay the results.

**TriggerFinger** · 03-28-2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morari

Sorry for the confusion. I did use a regular computer monitor with the laptop's VGA jack. However, on the off chance that the s-video jack would do something I tried it as well. I don't know of any s-video enabled monitors however, so I used my television in that regard

What do you mean by placing a flashlight on the LCD? Are you thinking that perhaps the display is just not lighting up, but may in fact be showing something? Interesting. I'll edit this post after trying and relay the results. -- yup just light up a flashlight in there, if you see the XP desktop (in the dark), then your backlight or inverter could be dead.

morari · 03-28-2008, 07:18 PM

Unfortunately, the LCD still isn't giving anything. I tried a fairly mundane flashlight as well as an almost blinding spotlight.

**TriggerFinger** · 03-28-2008, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morari

Unfortunately, the LCD still isn't giving anything. I tried a fairly mundane flashlight as well as an almost blinding spotlight.

So you have no screen when you power ON (not even a blinking cursor, logo, or POST). Tested with external monitor but still the same.

Here is a summary of what we have so far:
1. LCD blank (no images, not even a blinking cursor).
2. External monitor (same as with the LCD).

.. am I correct?

If so, then it could be your video card or the motherboard. Most often the video card is integrated in the motherboard. That means for you to replace the video card, you need to replace the whole motherboard.

Unless you tried to update/flash the BIOS recently and failed. Did you?

morari · 03-29-2008, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriggerFinger

Here is a summary of what we have so far:
1. LCD blank (no images, not even a blinking cursor).
2. External monitor (same as with the LCD).

.. am I correct?

You are correct.

I've never done anything to the BIOS as far as I can recall. I had installed Linux on the computer once, but I don't think GRUB is that invasion. Besides, it chugged along for a while. The entire reason I had tried to boot the computer up again after a month or two was because it was sitting without any OS and I was going to put XP back on it. That was when it wouldn't go.

If it comes down to it, I know where to get a new motherboard and could definitely replace it myself. I just don't want to do that and have it be something else.

**TriggerFinger** · 03-29-2008, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morari

You are correct.

I've never done anything to the BIOS as far as I can recall. I had installed Linux on the computer once, but I don't think GRUB is that invasion. -- no definitely not GRUB.

Besides, it chugged along for a while. The entire reason I had tried to boot the computer up again after a month or two was because it was sitting without any OS and I was going to put XP back on it. That was when it wouldn't go.

If it comes down to it, I know where to get a new motherboard and could definitely replace it myself. I just don't want to do that and have it be something else.

-- your call.

morari · 03-29-2008, 12:49 PM

I have an interesting revelation to add, but first a little background on the situation.

I was going to give the laptop to my brother for school purposes. That was why I went to put a more conventional OS on it. It had simply been sitting blank for months anyway, as I was liking my newly upgraded desktop too much to give it any attention. Well, it turns out that my brother took it upon himself to attempt the laptop's install. He apparently put XP on it and installed some drivers, but quickly encountered the current problem after the customary "reboot after install" routine.

It took him this long to mention the facts because he thought I'd be mad. I honestly don't have anything to loose in the laptop, so it only hinders him at this point. Thing is, he says that he opened the bottom up and took a device card or two out. He says that he was looking at the modem to see what it was in order to install the appropriate driver. He also, out of pure curiosity apparently, dislodged the extra RAM and put it back in.

It seems pretty obvious now that he caused this, either through his install of Windows or his tinkering. Both the modem and extra RAM are simply clipped in, easily accessible from the bottom of the laptop in a way similar to the battery or hard drive. The bottom of the motherboard is fairly well exposed in these little areas as well. Do you think that possibly he could have shorted the mother board by accidentally touching it in the process of removing the modem or RAM? If so, do you think just the mother board would need replaced, or am I looking at more than that?

**TriggerFinger** · 03-29-2008, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morari

I have an interesting revelation to add, but first a little background on the situation.

I was going to give the laptop to my brother for school purposes. That was why I went to put a more conventional OS on it. It had simply been sitting blank for months anyway, as I was liking my newly upgraded desktop too much to give it any attention. Well, it turns out that my brother took it upon himself to attempt the laptop's install. He apparently put XP on it and installed some drivers, but quickly encountered the current problem after the customary "reboot after install" routine.

It took him this long to mention the facts because he thought I'd be mad. I honestly don't have anything to loose in the laptop, so it only hinders him at this point. Thing is, he says that he opened the bottom up and took a device card or two out. He says that he was looking at the modem to see what it was in order to install the appropriate driver. He also, out of pure curiosity apparently, dislodged the extra RAM and put it back in.

It seems pretty obvious now that he caused this, either through his install of Windows or his tinkering. Both the modem and extra RAM are simply clipped in, easily accessible from the bottom of the laptop in a way similar to the battery or hard drive. The bottom of the motherboard is fairly well exposed in these little areas as well. Do you think that possibly he could have shorted the mother board by accidentally touching it in the process of removing the modem or RAM? If so, do you think just the mother board would need replaced, or am I looking at more than that?

you could say it is a victim of electrostatic discharge. start with the RAM. you said you have 2 sticks of RAM available. install one stick and try to power ON. also if you have opened it up, visually check the RAM and modem sockets, the cables, the motherboard if there is something unusual. Also get hold of the service manual for your model. it is comes very handy.

morari · 03-29-2008, 07:25 PM

I only have on stick of RAM, the other 256 is onboard as far as I can tell. I've tried booting it up with different combinations of devices. With and without the extra RAM, on battery power and on A/C power, etc. I didn't notice anything obviously out of place or broken while I had the machine taken apart.

I have the service manual in PDF format. I probably would have never figured out how to get the thing apart without those diagrams! Sadly, the troubleshooting section isn't as thorough as one might hope. Every tree chart it leads me down does point toward a faulty mother board however. I need to repeat the process however, as now the CD-ROM won't open for me on its own power... I must have put something back incorrectly.

**TriggerFinger** · 03-29-2008, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morari

...Every tree chart it leads me down does point toward a faulty mother board....

yup because it could really be the motherboard. if your video card is not integrated then there is that chance that your motherboard is still OK.

morari · 03-29-2008, 08:37 PM

The video card is completely integrated. It is an older, more business oriented laptop. Gaming wasn't really the idea behind it, I'd assume...

**TriggerFinger** · 03-29-2008, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morari

The video card is completely integrated. It is an older, more business oriented laptop. Gaming wasn't really the idea behind it, I'd assume...

yup... you are definitely correct.

03-28-2008, 05:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
morari Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 23 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate (64bit)	Compaq EVO N115 - No Video, No Bios Beep I have a fairly old Compaq EVO N115. It's always been an underpowered machine, but worked fine for simple word processing and web surfing. Upon initially receiving it, I upgraded the memory with a 256mb stick of RAM. It was compatible and the computer ran for years. Some months ago however, the thing seemingly died. I had not used it for some time and went to boot it up one day. Well, nothing seemed to happen. Upon further inspection, it didn't quite seem to be booting at all. There is clearly power running through it as all of the appropriate lights flash, the hard drive can be heard spinning up, the CD-Rom will open and spin, etc. However, there is no video at all and it doesn't seem to be making it through (or even to) the BIOS. There is no beep after POST, and no Windows start-up sound if I just leave it sit. I also checked the video by hooking it into my television via s-video and also into a regular VGA monitor. Still nothing. I'm thinking that it isn't necessarily video related however, due the the apparent lack of any BIOS activity. I've taken it apart down to the motherboard and reseated just about everything I could think of, yet still lacked results. Thoughts? Last edited by morari; 03-28-2008 at 05:10 PM.

03-28-2008, 05:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
morari Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 23 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate (64bit)	Re: Compaq EVO N115 - No Video, No Bios Beep Sorry for the confusion. I did use a regular computer monitor with the laptop's VGA jack. However, on the off chance that the s-video jack would do something I tried it as well. I don't know of any s-video enabled monitors however, so I used my television in that regard What do you mean by placing a flashlight on the LCD? Are you thinking that perhaps the display is just not lighting up, but may in fact be showing something? Interesting. I'll edit this post after trying and relay the results.

03-28-2008, 07:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
morari Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 23 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate (64bit)	Re: Compaq EVO N115 - No Video, No Bios Beep Unfortunately, the LCD still isn't giving anything. I tried a fairly mundane flashlight as well as an almost blinding spotlight.

03-29-2008, 12:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
morari Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 23 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate (64bit)	Re: Compaq EVO N115 - No Video, No Bios Beep I have an interesting revelation to add, but first a little background on the situation. I was going to give the laptop to my brother for school purposes. That was why I went to put a more conventional OS on it. It had simply been sitting blank for months anyway, as I was liking my newly upgraded desktop too much to give it any attention. Well, it turns out that my brother took it upon himself to attempt the laptop's install. He apparently put XP on it and installed some drivers, but quickly encountered the current problem after the customary "reboot after install" routine. It took him this long to mention the facts because he thought I'd be mad. I honestly don't have anything to loose in the laptop, so it only hinders him at this point. Thing is, he says that he opened the bottom up and took a device card or two out. He says that he was looking at the modem to see what it was in order to install the appropriate driver. He also, out of pure curiosity apparently, dislodged the extra RAM and put it back in. It seems pretty obvious now that he caused this, either through his install of Windows or his tinkering. Both the modem and extra RAM are simply clipped in, easily accessible from the bottom of the laptop in a way similar to the battery or hard drive. The bottom of the motherboard is fairly well exposed in these little areas as well. Do you think that possibly he could have shorted the mother board by accidentally touching it in the process of removing the modem or RAM? If so, do you think just the mother board would need replaced, or am I looking at more than that? Last edited by morari; 03-29-2008 at 12:51 PM.

03-29-2008, 07:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
morari Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 23 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate (64bit)	Re: Compaq EVO N115 - No Video, No Bios Beep I only have on stick of RAM, the other 256 is onboard as far as I can tell. I've tried booting it up with different combinations of devices. With and without the extra RAM, on battery power and on A/C power, etc. I didn't notice anything obviously out of place or broken while I had the machine taken apart. I have the service manual in PDF format. I probably would have never figured out how to get the thing apart without those diagrams! Sadly, the troubleshooting section isn't as thorough as one might hope. Every tree chart it leads me down does point toward a faulty mother board however. I need to repeat the process however, as now the CD-ROM won't open for me on its own power... I must have put something back incorrectly.

03-29-2008, 08:37 PM	#13 (permalink)
morari Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 23 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate (64bit)	Re: Compaq EVO N115 - No Video, No Bios Beep The video card is completely integrated. It is an older, more business oriented laptop. Gaming wasn't really the idea behind it, I'd assume...