Problem with HP Pavillion DV9000

[masteryoda34]

I'm having a problem with my HP Pavillion DV9000 laptop and I'm not sure what to do at this point. Laptop is a 17", about 1.5 years old, 2.0GHz C2D, NV 7600GT, P965 chipset, Vista Home Premium 32bit. It had a one year warranty which is now expired.

Problem Description:
1. Laptop was in use, image on screen went all weird (random black and white lines), and I shut the computer off.
2. After trying to restart the compter, nothing comes up on the display. It doesn't even light up. The fans and lights and hard drives still start up though.
3. If I plug an external monitor into the VGA port I get an image. Windows will boot up, but only in safe mode. Attempting to start in regular mode results in a blue screen.

What I've tried so far:
1. Took the display apart.
2. Replaced the inverter for the display. (Figured that I would try that first since inverters are only $15.)
3. After replacing inverter, nothing has changed. Still no image or light on the screen.

Now, after having the display apart, I have noticed that there is some light coming from behind the LCD panel when the computer is on. The screen itself doesn't light up at all though.

Cliffs:
1. Computer locked up with weird display.
2. No image after restart.
3. Windows will boot up in safe mode with an external monitor attached to VGA port. Booting normally results in a blue screen.
4. I replaced the display inverter, that wasn't it.
5. Some light appears behind LCD panel, screen itself doesn't light up though.

Anyone have any suggestions as to which part might be broken? The logical choice seems to be the LCD panel since the external monitor works. However, the fact that the computer BSODs in normal boot makes me think maybe the motherboard died. I don't really want to replace both of them. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Fardringle]

What is the error code on the blue screen when you try to boot to Windows normally?

It sounds like a problem with the video card itself. It could be hardware or software, so boot to safe mode with an external monitor attached, completely uninstall the video card drivers, then reinstall them and try to boot Windows normally again.

 

[masteryoda34]

The laptop display doesn't even come before windows loads though. The BIOS don't even show up on it. Nothing does at all. I don't see how it can be the drivers if it doesn't even work before windows loads, right?

I can't get the BSOD error code because I don't have access to the machine ATM, but I do remember that there was an Nvidia driver listed on the BSOD.

 

[mruffin75]

Sounds like you've been hit with a failed Nvidia chip...I had a DV6000 which pretty much did the same thing (GF7200).

 

[k0rnh0li0]

mine is starting to act up also 8600gt on the go. i'm sending mine in later this week

 

[masteryoda34]

I ordered a new motherboard for it. I'll post the results back here so other people can use this thread as a reference.

 

[Questi4110]

Here is a simple solution to try but try changing the display mode (usually fn key + display key on keyboard)

Good Luck

 

[masteryoda34]

Thanks for everyones suggestions. Just for the reference of other people, I ended up changing the motherboard and the problem was solved. Guess I was hit with a defective nvidia chip. (GeForce Go 7600).