Laptop won't boot

[Overkiller]

Hi Everyone -

I have a HP dv9000t with an intel core 2 duo processor, 2 GB ram, 80 gb HD, Windows Vista, etc.

A day ago I tried to shut down my laptop. As it was shutting down I closed the laptop so it latched close. In the morning when I woke up it was still on just in a sort of hibernate mode. I tried to turn on the laptop but the screen wouldn't turn on.

The system has power, it looks like it turns on, doesn't turn on the screen (buttons are lit), then it stops processing as if its at the password promt. After about 2 minutes the system them makes the rebooting sound (power buttons flick on and off) and the cycle repeats. It's almost as if the laptop is trying to start but failing....

Does anyone have any ideas? i've tried the Windows vista upgrade cd it came with and a winxp boot disk and it doesn't change anything.

Also, if I take out the HDD can i hook it up to my main system via a sata cable and at least back everything up?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Fardringle]

Unplug the AC power cord, remove the battery from the laptop and let it sit for a few minutes, then put the battery back in and reconnect the AC adapter. This will force the system to reset completely and might let it boot normally again.

 

[Overkiller]

Thank you for the suggestion. I tried this and it did not work. When I reseated the ram I had to unplug the AC and the battery. I've also confirmed that the issue is not with the AC adapter as the plug lights up blue. This is frustrating! Any other ideas? Thanks!

 

[Overkiller]

Alright. I called tech support and they said the only option was to send it in as I've tried everything already. Now, I want to back up my hard drive incase they do a wipe (they said that it's not normal that they touch the HD but they may wipe it as a last resort). I took out the HD and it doesn't have a standard connector. Doesn't look like its SATA nor PATA. Is there a connector I could buy? I thought most new laptops came with SATA?

[edit] it is a hitachi 160 GB Serial ATA 1.5 GB/s. Safe to assume any 2.5" sata external usb enclosure will work?