computer issues help: Have Compaq 3 yr old lap top powers up but has black screen. - Help.com

Possible causes:
-Monitor is defective
-Video Card Problem
-AGP/PCI-e Connector Problem / Motherboard
-System RAM Problem

Hi, sorry about the late response. It’s just a process of elimination.

First off, remove the battery and try to start up the laptop. This can fix a whole plethora of odd laptop problems.

If that doesnt work, try connecting an external monitor to your laptop.

-If the external monitor works it likely indicates a screen or screen connection problem.
-If it does NOT work it is likely a motherboard/gpu/cpu/memory failure.
-Since you don’t even see ANY kind of loading screen, it rules out software problems.

You are likely looking at either getting a new screen or motherboard (For laptops, prices are usually about the price of whole new laptop.)
Or new memory/cpu, whose prices are a little more reasonable.

However aside from testing these components in another machine there is nothing you can really do to find out exactly what component you need to replace short of taking it to a real tech.

Oh thanks for reading my post! Yeah, that was a while ago. Last summer was a bit better than the previous two. I am still CRAZY about that girl and that alone hurts so much still. I have since been learning to deal with it and I even started going out with a few different girls which have kept me distracted somewhat, but I just don’t like any of them. I knocked out my depression though and have brought some new things into my life since then to keep me going. Still searching for my purpose and still waiting for her to break up with him (even though I shouldn’t) Haha.

Good luck with your computer!!! I will pray for you too haha.