HP Pavillion dv9800ca boot problem

Hi Oklo,

I own a 9700, the same machine essentially. The problem definitely screams motherboard to me (since the GPU and motherboard are inseparable).

You are right that the tilt issue could be a cable problem, but I experienced a problem with a board in a 9700 where tilting the screen (which can flex the casing) would cause a blue screen if it wasn't done JUST right. That was definitely the motherboard as testing the cable to make sure it was connected yielded nothing but a replacement board worked flawlessly.

Another alternative is a bad screen. However, a bad screen on its own SHOULDN'T interfere with boot and Windows startup. Again, that suggests the motherboard is at fault.

As far as cost effective: To ME it is, if the system is otherwise working well for its intended use. If it's still considered powerful enough and usable, then the cost for the repair should be workable.

I tend to shop this site for my replacement boards: http://www.getpartsonline.com/

Their prices are pretty good overall. I know the Intel board numbers by heart, but if you have an AMD board you'll want to do some research on the part numbers. If it's Intel, I can relay the information I have.

I hope that helps. Let us know what happens!

Regards,
O Shadow Fox O

Hi Oklo,

HP's parts website is often incorrect. They listed incorrect parts for my C503WM and the listings for my DV9700 CTO were vague at best

For example, instead of searching by part number I went to the listing for system boards for HP Pavilion, and looked through the listings of models in the same family as the 9800 (stick to 9700-9900 if you can, they're more recent than the prior models even though the boards are the same shape), which turned up 450799-001. Price: $100. It's refurbished, but if you don't mind that then that may be a choice.

It takes some digging (which unfortunately I don't have time to do right now), but you can USUALLY find the differences in the boards by comparing specs of laptops that use those parts from the HP parts website. Search the exact part number instead of laptop model, then when the results come up click on the part number. It will bring up a listing of machines that USE that part (according to THEM, again they're not 100% accurate). Search those model numbers on HP's website (not the parts website, the main site) and check their specs to see what processor and video are present.

If the machine is used only for browsing and e-mail and the like, then a board that's not necessarily as capable as what you have may be acceptable.

As for disassembly, I made a thread which QHN kindly stickied that contains pictures and a detailed teardown of a 9700. The process for the 9800 should be virtually identical. It's an Intel based system, but the overall construction is the same, there are simply some minor parts configuration differences. The thread is here:

http://www.notebookforums.com/t/238333/intel-based-hp-pavilion-dv9700-upgrade-information

That being said, if you search some of the related models on HP's website, you can find maintenance manuals in the information for them. The maintenance manuals detail disassembly steps, which is how I learned at first.

I hope that information helps. Keep your eyes open and search for related part numbers. The only thing you need to be sure of is that it's an AMD based board, there will be multiple versions (some with discrete graphics, multiple types of discrete graphics, and some with integrated graphics). A bit of research will go a long way. It's a shame you don't have an Intel system, I have some more detailed info on them. When I get home tonight from work I will look into the listings and see if I can find any others that might be suitable.

Take care!

Regards,
O Shadow Fox O
Edited by OShadowFoxO - 4/27/12 at 5:47am

Apologizes for providing a reply so late, but if I may;

 

The HP Pavilion dv2000 series, Pavilion dv6000 series, and Pavilion dv9000 series, has a problem with inadequate cooling for the graphics chipset.

 

The cooling system consists of;

1) Cooling Tube:

Slightly flattened copper tube sealed on both ends, and filled with Nitrogen.

One end has two small metal plates attached along it. One plate sits on top of the Processor, the other plate sits on top of the GPU. (Graphics Processing Unit, or graphics chipset)

The other end of the Cooling Tube is connected to the Heatsink.

 

2) Heatsink:

Small strip of metal that has tall, thin fins protruding from it. Rectangular in shape.

 

3) Fan Assembly:

Fan inside a shroud. (Surrounding cage)

 

The two metal plates absorb heat from the Processor, and GPU. The heat is then absorbed by the Cooling Tube, and transferred up to the Heatsink.

The Heatsink absorbs the heat, then radiates it away with it's tall, thin fins.

Air flow from the Fan Assembly, helps carry heat away from the fins of the Heatsink.

 

The small plate that resides on the GPU, is inadequate in surface area. Too small.

This allows the GPU to overheat.

 

The GPU's circuit board is mounted to the motherboard, via a BGA surface mount. Ball Grid Array.

To explain the BGA surface mount, compare to an older Intel Pentium 4 processor, that uses a Socket 478 socket.

The Intel Pentium 4 processor has contact pins on the bottom. 478 of 'em.

The Socket 478 processor socket has matching socket holes. (478)

 

With a BGA surface mount, there are no contact pins nor socket holes. In place of the contact pins there are Solder Balls. In place of the socket holes there are Copper Pads.

(These are gold plated also)

The graphics chipset (GPU) is set into place on the motherboard, with the Solder Balls lining up with the Copper Pads.

Heat is then applied at a specific temperature, and length of time. This action melts the solder balls, and solders the graphics chipset to the copper pads.

(Which in turn solders the graphics chipset TO the motherboard)

 

With the graphics chipset constantly overheating, then cooling down, (Laptop turned off), the solder connections that were made turn into cold solder joints.

A cold solder joint results in a poor contact, or no contact at all. This means the graphics chipset has a poor contact with the motherboard.

IMHO buying the same t3rd of a motherboard again, will result in the same problem. There is a solution, however.

 

1) Properly reheat the graphics chipset, and make those solder joints good again.

2) Add more surface area to the metal plate, that resides on the graphics chipset.

 

The PROPER method of reflowing the graphics chipset, is to use a BGA Rework Machine. Not something you have in your backpocket, or in the average computer repair shop.

The laptop manufacturers when repairing the problem, send the motherboard to their depot. This is a laugh, because they send the motherboard to a shop, that has a BGA Reflow machine, plus skills, and experience.

 

I just want to show you one person's method of repairing the problem, and want you to know I am NOT advertising for said person, nor subscribe to the reflow method used in the video.

View the video for REFERENCE, (In the persons behalf however, he does state in - Show more - that the proper method is to use a BGA Rework Machine, when referring to the dv6000 series),

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnkQNmKauEc

 

A look at a BGA Rework Machine at work,

 

http://www.ersa.com/index.php?modul=entry&id=346&entry_id=1472&sub_id=346&cont=95

 

..................and now Bob back to you.........

 

Regards,

joecoolvette

my BGA rework machine is my oven

cheers ...