davy <davy.2ulcth@no.email.invalid> wrote in
news:davy.2ulcth@no.email.invalid:

>
> I would try re-seating the video card for starters, pull it
out
> and then re-insert it, the card is not being detected it
seems.
> The connections are usually fine copper strips with gold
plating
> on them and sometimes you get 'creep' due to these being soft
and
> the tension of the spring contacts on them... as well as
heat,
> they become 'pitted'.
>
> Faulty video cards can cause boot problems as well as not
being
> inserted properly... all you need for bios boot and be able
to
> access bios set up screen is the CPU, RAM and graphic
card.... all
> else can be disconnected.
>
> Re-seating should be the first step, the card should be seen
in
> device manager even with no monitor connected, you could try
> another video card or try the suspect elsewhere you won't
need to
> install the drivers just to prove the card is guilty or not.
>
> The first step is to get the card recognized in Device
manager,
> having said that it could well be the bios needs a reboot or
its
> back-up battery on the verge of going 'duff' seeing that you
are
> having problems with booting, so this is worthy of
consideration,
> doubt this is the cause so should be left as a last resort.
> *
> Note:* When removing the battery for more than about three
minutes
> will cause the bios to reset to it's default settings and you
> would have to run through the set up screen... there's
usually
> some preset setting you can click if you don't want to go
through
> manually.
>
> Whilst delving inside keep an eye out for swollen capacitors
with
> domed tops, there may be gunge leaking from them.
>
> davy
>
>

Thanks. It's an integrated video card and can't be removed.
I've tried reseating the memory and the processor, but that
didn't clear up the problem. Sometime the computer won't start.
A few seconds after pressing the start button the screen
brightens slightly but nothing happens. If I shut down with the
power button and let it sit for a few hours it will usually
start. I wondered about the CMOS battery because sometimes the
clock settings change to default on boot up. The battery is
almost hidden under part of the laptop case. I asked someome
who sells used motherboards and he thought the battery is not
replaceable on a HP laptop, but he wasn't sure.
rt