Can't reboot, black screen, F8 key unresponsive

maps9

New Member
On starting up my Compaq Presario CQ60-218, I received notification of a virus and whilst attempting to remove it, the laptop shut down to protect itself. I briefly got a blue screen with text advising me of this before it quickly went to a black screen of death with flashing cursor.
I've researched this on various threads and forums but nothing described the exact problem I have. When I tried advice to reboot in safe mode by using Ctrl+Alt+Delete, nothing happens and I get no response from repeatedly hitting the F8 key either, just the black screen.

I've tried various things I've seen recommended, powering off for 10 mins, removing battery, hard reset including 20 sec battery drain etc but nothing worked. I also connected an external monitor which showed nothing thereby I think ruling out graphics card and display issues.

I did find that by hitting F10 key I was able to get into BIOS diagnostics and ran memory test which was passed and then a primary hard disk test which failed within seconds with #1-07 Fail. So could i somehow reset to an earlier state, even if it wiped computer, or is only option an expensive new hard disk?

I'm posting this from a 2nd machine so I do have the option of downloading and using USB to transfer solutions if I can get Compaq to respond.
Grateful for any advice
Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq Presario CQ60-218EM
If you failed the inbuilt hard drive test, it's most likely that your hard drive has failed.
If you're unsure of that, run one of the free diagnostics listed here: HD Diagnostic (read the details at the link) - Test ALL of the hard drives.

I just bought a 250 gB hard drive today for $43 (US)
You'll also need recovery disks for your system. If you don't have them, here's a link for ordering them (US only): Order Recovery Discs (USA)
 

My Computer

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    a6530f Desktop
    CPU
    HP-PAVILION
    Motherboard
    M2N68-LA (Narra3)
    Memory
    8 Gigs of Ram/DDR2 PC2-6400 MB/sec
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
    Sound Card
    Intergrated Realtex ALC888S Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG W40 series widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1600 X 900
    Hard Drives
    1 640 GB Sata transfer rating: 3.0 Gb/sec speed: 7200 RPM
    PSU
    300W
    Case
    Mid-Size ATX
    Keyboard
    HP Multimedia Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse 5000
    Other Info
    Processor: AMD Phenom X3 8450 Operating speed: Up to 2.1 GHz, Number of cores: 3, Socket: AM2+, Bus speed: 3600 MHz HT3 (clocked down to 2000 MHz)

    Modem: 56K WinModem/

    Supermulti: 16X DVD(+/-)R/RW 12X Ram (+/-)R DL Lightscribe SATA Drive

    Menory Card Reader: 15-in-1 Multimedia Card Reader

    Media Drive
thanks guys.

USAMA - the only thing I can get to work on the laptop is the F10 key to BIOS, absolutely nothing else. This rules out most of the advice on that link, but I will take the back off to get make and model of hard disk. Perhaps they're not as expensive as I thought but I think I'd have to get a pro to install it as I don't think I'd have the competance. I'd need recovery disks as well. Would that get me up and running again? I understand I'd lose all data on the computer but I'm 100% backed up.

americancritic - thanks for link but it was all too technical for me really
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq Presario CQ60-218EM
The drive is easy to put in.

1 - remove the AC Adapter and battery
2 - open up the case over the hard drive (usually 1 or 2 screws)
3 - lift up on the plastic tab to remove the hard drive
4 - remove the adapter over the SATA/IDE connector (it pulls off)
5 - unscrew 4 screws to remove the drive from the "caddy"
6 - reassemble in reverse.

Since the old drive is bad, you'll definitely need a set of recovery disks. If you don't have them now, you'll have to order them from the link I gave earlier (If in the USA). They usually arrive in a couple of days and it'll take a couple of hours to install.

Turn the computer on, open the CD/DVD drive and put Disk 1 in. Close the drive
Restart the system, tapping Esc as soon as the Compaq splash screen shows up.
Select the CD/DVD drive to boot from - and follow the prompts.

Here's a link to the product manual. Chapter 4 deals with replacing the hard drive: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01523646.pdf
 

My Computer

Thanks USASMA,

I checked hard drive prices and they're cheaper than I thought. I also took the back off and looking at your instructions, it does seem simple enough to replace.

However, I do have a few questions.

With a new drive fitted, will the laptop options be available again to allow viewing of the menu to change the boot options to read from the DVD drive? At the moment only option that works is F10 key.

Secondly, if I purchase Vista recovery disks won't I need a product key? As Vista was pre-loaded on laptop I don't have one.

And finally, I've heard you have to partition a new drive? I don't know what that is or what it entails.

Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq Presario CQ60-218EM
With a Compaq/HP, you should rapidly tap the Esc key when the Compaq/HP logo appears. This'll either take you to a boot menu, or to another screen with F9 being the option to get the boot menu (this is present on newer systems).

If you're having difficulties accessing these options - it can be caused by the hard drive (or by other things). Try removing the hard drive and then boot it to see if you can get at the different function keys. Remember that nothing will work because there's no hard drive to access.

There should be a sticker with a product key on the bottom of the laptop.
If not, then it's still cheaper to try the recovery disks - as they normally take care of activation without the need for the product key.

In the old days you had to partition the drive. Nowadays the OS installation routine takes care of that for you - so there's nothing to worry about there.
 

My Computer

Cheers USASMA.

Thanks for your help. Tomorrow I'm going to get the drive and disks to do what you suggest.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Compaq Presario CQ60-218EM
Hi,

I fixed this issue, I too had the same problem. Here is how I did it.

1) Reboot and press F8
2) Select "Repair my computer"
3) Select the keyboard layout and lanugage
4) When you reach system recovery tools, select System restore.
5) Select the restore point when it was working fine and restart the computer.

That's it....

If you do not have the system restore points, try startup repair.
 

My Computer

Back
Top