HP dv7-1245ef 1 blink every 3 seconds

[piernov]

This laptop has got a Compal LA-4083P motherboard, with a discrete GPU NVidia 9600M GT (G96-630-C1).

When you turn it on, the fan spins, but nothing shows up on the screen. After about 10 seconds, the caps lock/num lock indicators start to blink every 3 seconds.

Removing the RAM doesn't make a difference, I tried with another CPU and done a CMOS reset. I tried heating the GPU too, nothing changed.

I still think the GPU is dead, what do you think?

[fester]

Re: HP dv7-1245ef 1 blink every 3 seconds

1 blink mean cpu not functional so meassure all cpu voltages first.Have you schematic for this board?

[piernov]

Re: HP dv7-1245ef 1 blink every 3 seconds

Thanks, CPU and GPU VCore were here, but I found +1.5VS and +VCCP shorted: southbridge partially shorted. I'm quite surprised to get VCore on a board with a half dead ICH, but that's how it is…
Also there is a small bubble on the northbridge package. I guess someone was here before me and rehot the chips already…

I'll try to solder a new ICH, but this board is probably beyond repair.

[Th3_uN1Qu3]

Re: HP dv7-1245ef 1 blink every 3 seconds

Rare to see an ICH shorted indeed. This may be beyond economical repair if the Northbridge ends up being bad as well, chips can be scavenged from any old board as they rarely fail but the work hours you put into that won't pay off.

[piernov]

Re: HP dv7-1245ef 1 blink every 3 seconds

Ok so the northbridge was dead too. Rather than spending 2 hours replacing both chips only to find out the GPU is dead as well or some other issue, I ordered another "working" motherboard. Obviously it didn't work. At least that one would be easy to fix, PQ402 shorted, and on top of that I've got a donor board. Not messing with it until I'm refunded though.