(Advise/help)Laptop not booting

[nokiaera]

Hi,

I have a compaq cq45-121tx. Recently my laptop refuse to boot (no compaq logo show up) and have no display from the screen. It does, however, blink light above the scroll lock button and beside the caps lock in the sequence of 4 times.

I understand the 4 blinking sequence indicates that problem with graphics.

I tried reconfiguring my ram by swapping ram slots. My laptop comes installed with 3gb ram by manufacturer (2gb+1gb).

The thing is, if I remove the 2gb ram from my memory slot, my laptop will boot and everything works slowly (due to 1gb ram still in it). If I put only the 2gb memory slot in it(with the 1gb memory removed), my laptop will not boot at all.

Could this means the issue is with my ram module (i.e. a faulty 2gb ram)?

Side notes:
1) I have done a diagnostic on the 2gb ram by installing it on my other laptop (acer). The laptop will boot without any problem.

OR could this be a problem with the other component in my laptop?

Will buying a new set of ram solve the issue?

Thank you

 

[Guanjin Peter]

might be dirty RAM or faulty RAM. since it worked before when u bought it shouldn't be about compatibility issue. It may even be a faulty Slot (try the 1GB ram on the 2GB slot and see if it works)

take a white sheet of paper, brush against the bottom gold part of the RAM (where u slot in to the motherboard) to clean the RAM. You'll see if it's really dirty, if the paper is stained in black. Brush it until the paper is black (when you brush it with a new white paper)

Test your RAM again and see if it works. Usually, it works for me after physically 'cleaning' the RAM

 

[PC_Dreams]

Did you put the 2GB into the 1GB slot that is working?

Anyway, 4 blinks means graphics issue. Causes could be:
1) Graphics chip faulty
2) Graphics memory faulty.

For 2), since graphics card uses RAM memory, it could sometimes be RAM related issues.

For RAM related issues, it is either RAM slot or RAM.

To confirm, just swap your RAM on the working RAM slot and see if it works.

Do try and let us know.

 

[nokiaera]

Hi,

Thank you for your reply.

I have tried using the 1gb ram on the 2 gb slot. Both slots are able to run the 1gb ram.

I use a ear cotton bud to rub on the metal contact and use dust off to blow any particles off the 2gb ram. Still, my laptop refuse to boot with the 2gb stick on it.

I have also just tried your paper method. But still the laptop refuse to boot.

What's funny is that when I plug the suspected 2gb on to another laptop. The other laptop boot with no issue.

I also used a windows built in memory to test the ram. The report came back all normal.

might be dirty RAM or faulty RAM. since it worked before when u bought it shouldn't be about compatibility issue. It may even be a faulty Slot (try the 1GB ram on the 2GB slot and see if it works)

take a white sheet of paper, brush against the bottom gold part of the RAM (where u slot in to the motherboard) to clean the RAM. You'll see if it's really dirty, if the paper is stained in black. Brush it until the paper is black (when you brush it with a new white paper)

Test your RAM again and see if it works. Usually, it works for me after physically 'cleaning' the RAM

 

[nokiaera]

Hi

Thank you for the reply.
Yes, tried swapping slots for the 2gb ram, did not work. However, the 1gb ram works on both slots.

I am puzzled by the graphic issue as the laptop will boot normally into windows if I only have the 1gb ram in the memory slot.
If I put the 2gb ram only in the laptop or combined with the 1gb ram, the compaq laptop won't boot.

Seems to me that the compaq motherboard "reject" the 2gb ram module due to some hidden ram fault that seem to be affecting only the compaq motherboard.

Could a failed graphic controller refuses to recognise ram modules more than 1gb?

I'm not sure if my deduction is right. Do tell me your opinion.

Thank you

Did you put the 2GB into the 1GB slot that is working?

Anyway, 4 blinks means graphics issue. Causes could be:
1) Graphics chip faulty
2) Graphics memory faulty.

For 2), since graphics card uses RAM memory, it could sometimes be RAM related issues.

For RAM related issues, it is either RAM slot or RAM.

To confirm, just swap your RAM on the working RAM slot and see if it works.

Do try and let us know.