Laptop won't reboot-acts like it, but doesn't

[artyk]

I am working on a laptop for some relatives (it's an HP pavilion zt1130, XP Home SP2). It has a quirky problem. When you try to reboot, it shuts down fine and acts like it is going to start back up (fans spin up, some lights, etc.) but instead of it starting up, it emits a high-pitched beep out of the speakers (I've determined that it's not the system speakers, because it goes away when you mute the audio controls). The only way to start it back up is to turn it off and let it sit for a couple of minutes. After that, it starts normally. I cleaned several instances of spyware/viruses off of it using a variety of tools, but nothing has made a difference in that aspect. I'm leaning toward it being a hardware issue, but I'm not sure where to start. Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[acewarlock]

Do you have a bootable CD, see if it will boot off the CD when you reboot it. if it boots off the CD you may have an HD problem.




This is a Signature and not part of the answer, it appears on every reply.

This is an Analogy so don't take it personally as some have.

Why change the engine if all you need is to change the spark plugs.

 

[wahnula]

it emits a high-pitched beep out of the speakers (I've determined that it's not the system speakers, because it goes away when you mute the audio controls).

Maybe it's an alarm of sorts? Next time after this happens look at the CPU temp in BIOS, or use SpeedFan to monitor system temperature. Shutting down a PC is like shutting down a car; the cooling system now no longer works so temps go up after shutdown, then stabilize. If a car has an electric cooling fan it will keep running during this period to bring the temp back down, I don't know why PC fans don't do this too, or at least give you the option.

You might get the problem solved by blowing out the cooling fan with 1/2 second bursts of canned air.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[artyk]

Thanks, both of you! I will check those suggestions and get back to you.

 

[artyk]

Very well could be a heat issue. I tried to blow it out, but it was extremely clean. So, I tried starting it up and rebooting it as soon as it was able and it came up no problem. I have yet to try the bootable CD idea. I will try that one next.