2133 Won't Start

[narius]

I bought my HP 2133 in June of 2008, and since then I have absolutely fallen in love with it. I thought that by now, I would be jealous of all the other netbooks out there on the market, but honestly, this is still the best one (save for the HP 2140). Anyways, onto my problem:

I was using my HP 2133 today, when it restarted without any error or blue screen. It simply turned off, and the screen flickered.

I powered it up, and the HP boot screen came up, and then asked for my password on boot (which I have it setup to do). I entered the password, and immediately an error message came up saying something to the effect of "checksum failed on file". It wasn't exactly that error, but I was actually in class and didn't think to write it down properly.

I restarted the computer again (doing a hard reset) and this time it sat at the HP screen with the Options for BIOS, Boot Menu, Recovery, etc. I pressed Boot Menu (F9) but nothing happened. I tried pressing Alt+Ctl+Del, but nothing happened.

I did another hard reset, and since then nothing is happening on my 2133. I can see the green power light, and the caps lock light flickers on and off during startup. The LCD screen appears to get power, as it flickers like usual, however it does not display anything. The fan does not go on, nor do I hear any HDD activity (I have the 160GB HDD).

Since then, I have re-seated my RAM, and no change. I have ordered some new RAM that I'll pickup tomorrow to test that, but I wanted to see if there is anything else I can do to test this out.

Specifically, if there is anyone out there who has had this issue, what was the problem, and was there a fix?

I wasn't too concerned at first, but upon learning that the HP 2140 is now discontinued too, I really want to get this working again. The HP 2140 would've been the only alternative to purchase (gotta have the HD screen, bluetooth, 7200RPM HDD, and Express54).

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks!

[Warder]

Dang Narius, that sucks. Sorry it's giving you grief. RAM was my first thought and hopefully that's all it is.

Also, the 5101 is coming and it will have an anti-glare HD screen option as well... so you're not totally out of luck - just missing the 21xx's looks. Should be out soon here (whenever mid July is for HP)

Hopefully someone else can be more helpful than me lol. Let us know what you find out. Good luck!

[narius]

Yea, I'll update this thread tomorrow regarding the results with the new RAM.

I've looked into the 5101, but the fact that it's missing the ExpressCard54 slot is a deal breaker. I don't understand why they'd remove it, or why they'd even change the HP 2140 drastically, it was perfect.

[Warder]

Forgot about that... Their logic was it was only there to provide a slot for a mobile wireless adapter, and now that is has a sim card slot built-in they don't need to include one any more. Short-sighted, I know...

[narius]

Yea, I can understand that logic, especially since most wireless adapters are now USB also, so the extra USB port is useful. But still, I love my Mogo Mouse too much to part with it. It loses the portability advantages if I have to carry a regular mouse with it.

Anyway, onto the topic. I've tested the HDD, and it works fine. I've also replaced the RAM, and it does not fix the issue. So now I'm left with it having to be the motherboard/power supply. Both of which I can't really repair.

Time to buy a 2140 I guess. On that note, anyone want an HP 2133 for parts?

[bigdoodle]

It would guess it's the motherboard.

We (she & me) each bought a HP2133. First her's went in March with exactly the same symptoms as yours: You switch it on and nada. You get a screen flash when you switch it off again. The HP centre repaired it with no ado. On the repair slip they stated that the motherboard was replaced. So if you have any guarantee left, act on it!

To continue may own story, now it has happened with mine as well. It just locked up and that was it - the same symptoms as your's. From what I can see it is the motherboard again. So what worries me is that this is an inherent weakness of the HP2133, and although I can still get it repaired under guarantee, the next calamity might be only a few months away.

Has anybody else heard of this problem and whether HP has addressed it in any way?

[mikez]

Yea, I can understand that logic, especially since most wireless adapters are now USB also, so the extra USB port is useful. But still, I love my Mogo Mouse too much to part with it. It loses the portability advantages if I have to carry a regular mouse with it.

Anyway, onto the topic. I've tested the HDD, and it works fine. I've also replaced the RAM, and it does not fix the issue. So now I'm left with it having to be the motherboard/power supply. Both of which I can't really repair.

Time to buy a 2140 I guess. On that note, anyone want an HP 2133 for parts?

Interested, PM me.

[narius]

It would guess it's the motherboard.

We (she & me) each bought a HP2133. First her's went in March with exactly the same symptoms as yours: You switch it on and nada. You get a screen flash when you switch it off again. The HP centre repaired it with no ado. On the repair slip they stated that the motherboard was replaced. So if you have any guarantee left, act on it!

To continue may own story, now it has happened with mine as well. It just locked up and that was it - the same symptoms as your's. From what I can see it is the motherboard again. So what worries me is that this is an inherent weakness of the HP2133, and although I can still get it repaired under guarantee, the next calamity might be only a few months away.

Has anybody else heard of this problem and whether HP has addressed it in any way?

Thanks for your message. I found it odd that I'd be the only one with a motherboard failure in the past year. Unfortunately my netbook is out of warranty by over 2 months (I bought from the first 24 that entered into Canada). So I'm screwed in that sense.

I hope the issue was fixed in the HP 2140's, cause I just bought one!

[jerry6]

well my 2133 just died , a flash then screen went out . When i shut it down by holding the button 5 sec , get a flash and goes off , turning on does nothing !It is under warranty they are picking it up friday . Wonder what went

[mikez]

One of the most discussed items - try the search button.
One of the members has sold me his dead machine - once it get here,
I may (slim chance, but maybe) be able to figure out what is happening
by comparing its electronics with mine (which is still alive).
- - - -
HP isn't say "why" they just repair or exchange them.