HP dv6000 Laptop Problem

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The Critic

The Critic

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Friend/Co-worker's laptop isn't booting.

It gets past the HP logo, so I assume it POSTs, but then I get a "PXE-E61" Media Test Failure, check cable error.

Since the problem is intermittent, I was once able to get it to boot into Windows normally and at that time, I updated the BIOS to the latest version.

The boot sequence is correct--CD->notebook hard drive.

I went into the BIOS and did a Hard Drive self-test, and it passes the quick, comprehensive and smart portions of the test.

I pulled out the RAM (while the battery is out) and reseated it.

I noticed that the hard drive door was loose so I took out the hard drive and reseated it and also fully tightened down the screws on the cover.

What would you folks recommend?

Thanks.
 
Boot partition is bad/or corrupted. If you have a xp/vista/7 bootable CD/DVD try to get into the recovery console and run fixmbr or fixboot.

If the partition is bad, the HDD will check out okay on BIOS testing, as it only looks for SMART errors and hardware problems.

Hope this helps.
Dave
 
Download the Ultimate Boot CD and run the manufacturer of the drive's test on the drive.

It sounds like the drive is starting to fail.
 
My sis's hp dv had to have the mb replaced too. It still runs really hot and is one of those laptops where you have to be scared of leaving it near something flammable for a long time. I think if it was placed on skin long enough that it would cause a burn. Scary
 
Long story short, after trying multiple things, I took all of the memory out of the HP and swapped in one 2GB stick of Kingston HyperX (taken from my own laptop) and all of the problems have been resolved. It loaded Windows just fine, hasn't had a single no-boot incident so far, nothing.

Now the dilemma is, what should I tell my co-worker? Pay me for a stick of ram? I'm not even 100% sure if that's the problem, but I tested the hard drive and it passed all tests, so I wasn't sure what else could be the problem which is why I started swapping out parts.
 
I started to work on a DV9000 until I found the recall information, and it wasn't booting. Haven't heard back from guy whethey they are going to fix it. Doesn't help he spent $150 on a new CPU for it (before he came to me) and it still didnt boot.
 
I think I've found the problem.

The laptop works fine with 2GB of HyperX. No BSOD, no errors, no problems at all.

As a test, I put back the old memory and booted it up-- error messages galore and the system wouldn't boot.

Put the HyperX back, no problems again.

So, can I safely assume that the problem is memory related?
 
Originally Posted By: Onmo'Eegusee
Does it have two or one stick?
Rare, but possible. Have you tried putting the HyperX in both slots?


The HP laptop does have two slots available for RAM. However the Crucial website says it has a 2GB max limit, and the two HyperX sticks I have are 2GB each.
 
Originally Posted By: Onmo'Eegusee
It might be 2GB per slot, since the 2GB you have works.

Crucial just says 2GB maximum. It's a dv6345us.
 
Originally Posted By: The Critic
I think I've found the problem.

The laptop works fine with 2GB of HyperX. No BSOD, no errors, no problems at all.

As a test, I put back the old memory and booted it up-- error messages galore and the system wouldn't boot.

Put the HyperX back, no problems again.

So, can I safely assume that the problem is memory related?



Yup. Could run memtest on it to verify if you like.
 
what does his memory stick do in your laptop when booting windows? or it's not compatible?
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Cutehumor
what does his memory stick do in your laptop when booting windows? or it's not compatible?


Good question. With some convincing by PandaBear, I decided to try it. Here's what I found:

With the questionable memory installed, immediately upon booting my Dell up, I get this message:

Memory Address Line failure at 1C04A080
Read FBFBFBFA, expecting FBFBFBFB

It gives me the option to hit F1 to continue, which I do, but then I get this message:

No physical memory available for Windows boot Manager. System Cannot Continue.

'Nuff said. Took out that memory and put back my HyperX and now my Dell boots fine.

So I think the memory is at fault for the HP's problems.
 
Wow, so it failed on the BIOS mem check. I dont think Ive ever seen that happen! Ive seen them give weird errors and problems, but always takes a more sophisticated test to find out if its memory. At least you found the problem.
 
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Download the Ultimate Boot CD and run the manufacturer of the drive's test on the drive.

It sounds like the drive is starting to fail.


+1

If it's trying to PXE boot (means it's looking for a boot image on your network), that means it doesn't think the internal hard drive is bootable. Replacement notebook drives are pretty cheap. I'd replace the drive and re-image the system.

Also, have you checked the memory? Odd that it would only happen occasionally.

Edit: Just saw your subsequent notes. Looks like you found the culprit.

Best,
 
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