Anyone else having issues with laptops not booting?
Posted by Particular-Score-195@reddit | sysadmin | View on Reddit | 15 comments
We have about 300 laptops deployed, mostly HP, all different models and years. Lately we've had so many that just will not turn on. Not on power, not on battery. The fastest fix I've found is to open it up, unplug the battery connection then plug it back in. The problem doesn't repeat afterward. All system checks are normal. I've started checking BIOS version, Windows updates, driver updates, and nothing seems to correlate. Just wondering if anyone else is seeing the same or if anyone has any insight!
i_am_dangry@reddit
We've just gone through this with our HP Elitebook 840 G9's. It turned out to be a bad BIOS update from HP that was causing the devices not to power on and the thunderbolt controller to stop working. A new BIOS was recently released to address the issues. About 15% of our fleet was affected
Particular-Score-195@reddit (OP)
BIOS has been my #1 suspect, but since I was encountering different versions I thought maybe I was wrong. Maybe I'll dive deeper in this direction. Thanks!
gooseman_96@reddit
We've recently had a lot of them acting like they are dead, but really they are doing a dock firmware update. They look dead, but the hp dock light is flashing. I tell people to get a cup of coffee and come back in 10 minutes. If you're using HP docks, check to see if the light is flashing. Just a thought.
Particular-Score-195@reddit (OP)
Ah! I always wondered how the docks updated since they pretend to be driverless but just stop working sometimes. I'd say about half our devices are connected to HP docks so this is something I'll pay attention to. Thanks!
Admin_Stuff@reddit
No, but instead of messing with the battery, have you tried holding the power button for 15-20 seconds? Then wait a moment and try powering on.
Particular-Score-195@reddit (OP)
I have tried that. It has worked on exactly one. The rest don't even blink the LEDs.
Brilliant-Advisor958@reddit
Try longer, maybe 60 seconds. (If you haven't tried already)
sitesurfer253@reddit
We had this on dells for a while, probably different, but the fix was really just to hold the power button in random intervals for 30 seconds, let go, 5 seconds, let go, 60 seconds, etc. While the charger (not the docking station) was plugged in. Eventually it would just come on.
Users always doubted me when I'd walk them through it on the phone. Say they had already tried everything, etc. Then "oh wait, it just came on, what the hell?!"
Brilliant-Advisor958@reddit
We got some hp desktops that occasionally drop the network sometimes. Reboots don't fix it. Disabling/re-enableing the adapter doesn't fix it. Unplugging nic doesn't fix it.
Only unplugging the power for the system for a minimum of 30 seconds fixes it.
All my users are remote, so they are the ones that sometimes have to crawl under a desk to find a pc and unplug the power.
They are usually skeptical but pleasantly surprised it works .
Particular-Score-195@reddit (OP)
I am so happy you posted this here. We have one machine that keeps dropping network and have tried everything to fix it. I wonder if this will work for us too!
DueDisplay2185@reddit
I've seen the same thing with HP machines. If the 15 second power button press isn't working then disconnecting the battery will. Unfortunate to have to do it for 300 machines though. Maybe contact HP for advice?
Admin_Stuff@reddit
Well that's a bummer. I haven't had issues lately, but in the past it has always worked for me on HP laptops.
miharixIT@reddit
or to press small reset button on some (Lenovo). Small wire is needed for pressing it.
Prudent-Character949@reddit
I love it , it’s really straightforward xd they just put a reset button onto it :D
tjn182@reddit
Reminds me of an issue with early model Surface laptops. Something with the keyboard. Same symptoms, but luckily Microsoft hard coded a 30 second "battery blip" into the laptops. Holding for 30 seconds briefly disconnected the battery, fixing the issue until it occurs again.