Help needed with a hibernating pc

Bob in Calif.

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 4, 2002
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653
I bought my daughter and two sons each a new HP PC for Christmas last year and all have been working well, untillllllll My daughter had a power surge at her home while the computer was on. The computer has Windows XP and went into the hibernate mode and will not come of that mode, even after turning it on and off a number of times.<br />I am ok with computers, to an extent, but this is beyond my knowledge of how to get it out of hibernation and working normally. Any suggestions on making that thing useable again would really be appreciated. <br />...Bob in Calif... :confused: :confused: :confused:
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,784
Re: Help needed with a hibernating pc

I hope someone has an easy answer for you. I had a pc 6 years ago that did this. I could actually get it on by flippin the master power switch on and off--rapidly, until the motherboard would wake-up. I ended up putting in a new $42 motherboard to really fix it.<br /><br />What I would do if no one has an easy solution for you:<br /><br />Move harddrive to another computer to salvage any valuable data, photos, etc.<br /><br />Re-install harddrive.<br />Get a new motherboard and processor for $120, and install.<br />If it still won't work, reformat the harddrive and re-install windows.<br /><br />Of course, I like throwing new parts in my computer, zoom zoom zoom.
 

Ralph 123

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Jun 24, 2003
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3,983
Re: Help needed with a hibernating pc

Unplug the power cord from the back of the computer. Wait 60 seconds. Plug it back in. Turn the computer on. Do same with monitor (unplugg it for a minute) Post results.<br /><br />If she had a surge, components may very likely be damaged including the monitor.<br /><br />Be sure she checks that all cables are plugged in the back of the computer.<br /><br />Did she have everything plugged into a power surge protector? Running w/o surge protection is like boating w/o life jackets. Not a problem until something goes wrong.<br /><br />Find your paperwork and see if it is still under warranty. Just in case.<br /><br />Post results and we'll take it from there.<br /><br />If this forum is too slow, she probably has free 12 month tech support and can call them on the phone. They can walk her through diagnosing the problem in real time.
 

boge

Cadet
Joined
Apr 23, 2003
Messages
16
Re: Help needed with a hibernating pc

Will it boot into the cmos. If so turn off the power saving options there. Power options are also a part of the windows operating system. First thing to decide is if it is actually in hibernate mode. Try booting into safe mode and see what happens. If it boots into safe mode go to control panel and turn off power saving options. Do you get a video signal? If you do is the machine posting? If that is happening then slave the hard drive into another machine and save what you need. Reformat and reinstall windows. You may get by with just a windows repair. If that fails then and only then start diagnosing components. I have built several machines out of thrown away "bad" parts.
 

Bob in Calif.

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 4, 2002
Messages
653
Re: Help needed with a hibernating pc

Thank you all for the quick replies. I will e-mail her what has been posted, as she has a laptop also, and have her try everything she can, with out pulling the hard drive out.<br />I believe there is a 1 year warranty, which is still in effect. I should have her drop the computer off at my place someday before she goes to work, so I can look inside for "cooked" stuff. She lives about 60 miles away, but works less than 20 miles away. Thanks again, I'll keep you posted. ...Bob in Calif...
 

Ralph 123

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Jun 24, 2003
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3,983
Re: Help needed with a hibernating pc

Bad components will be tough to spot with visual insoection. The CMOS ICs used can be damaged ineternally and can't be detected with just visial inspection. The transistors sued in CMOS ICs are tiny (micron sized) and can be dmaged very esaily by high voltage spikes - that is why you have to handle ciruit boards and ICs wearing a grounded wrist strap to prvent ESD (elctrostatic discharge) from your body.
 

boge

Cadet
Joined
Apr 23, 2003
Messages
16
Re: Help needed with a hibernating pc

Something that I for got about. Unplug cord and open box. See if you can find a set of jumpers that say cmos on them. Should be 3 pegs with the jumper on 1 and 2. remove from 1 and 2 and put across 2 and 3. This will clear the cmos. Replace on 1 and 2 and reboot. Anything is worth a shot. Lots of things that you can try before replacing anything.
 

Scoop

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jul 19, 2002
Messages
1,158
Re: Help needed with a hibernating pc

Don't bother looking for burned components, you would be able to smell them. Removing the power cord option is a good thing to try.<br /><br />How does she know it's in Hibernation?<br /><br />Is the monitor on? If so, is it getting signal?<br /><br />Does it beep when she turns the power on?<br /><br />I have seen a lot odd problems from power surges including damaged expansion cards that will prevent booting.
 
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