Laptop fails to start or enter boot mode—keyboard illuminates before the system powers off on its own.
Laptop fails to start or enter boot mode—keyboard illuminates before the system powers off on its own.
The final event before starting was adjusting the BIOS for RAM and switching the CPU voltage to override. I also altered the CPU voltage from adaptive to manual, without changing any other settings. After exiting BIOS and restarting, the machine powered off automatically. When I pressed the power button to turn it on, it only ran briefly before shutting down. This happened multiple times. I disconnected the main battery and power cable, removed the CMOS battery, and kept the power button pressed for about 30 seconds. After waiting roughly ten minutes, I reinserted the CMOS battery and tried booting with just the battery. The same issue occurred. I repeated the process using both power supply and battery, ensuring the battery was charged. * * * I then replaced the CPU, which was the first noticeable change, but it still shut down after a longer delay before restarting. No POST was achieved. To check, the keyboard lights up, fans spin, and the light changes through Blue → Green → Red before turning off. There are no beeps or other sounds except the fan noise. Could you help identify what might be wrong? If unsure, what steps should I take next to fix this?
Attempt to start the system without RAM. If it powers down, reinsert the RAM and try booting again.
Looking at the steps you've taken, what comes next would depend on further testing. The keyboard lights and fan control suggest the system is still operational, but the BIOS status remains uncertain. After resetting and using different RAM, the behavior changed again. Swapping back to the 11700k helped only briefly. With the Celeron G5905, it runs for a short time before shutting down. You might want to check the power supply, test with another motherboard, or consult a specialist for deeper diagnostics.
There are some updates to share. Previously, it wouldn’t restart without me pressing the power button, but now it’s stuck in a continuous cycle of turning on and off. I’ve used various RAM modules and the issue seems to persist with all of them. The system powers up, changes colors in a sequence, then stays blue for about 30 seconds before turning back on repeatedly. This behavior has happened with faulty RAM before, but now it’s occurring with every RAM I’ve tried. I really need expert guidance here.
Same problem is happening on my MSI stealth 15m A11ek. It worked yesterday but now it’s acting up today. I tried turning it on again. The keyboard lights up briefly, then the fans spin before shutting off completely. I’m also noticing the battery isn’t charging properly. The PSU is working, but I’ve tried two different ones and it seems the battery is completely drained—can’t start without it.
Have you seen any improvement in the troubleshooting? It only loops when connected to the PSU. On battery power it works briefly—about 20 seconds—and the keyboard changes color, the fan is adjustable, but then it powers off and fails to restart. This is really annoying. Typically these issues point to RAM problems, but I've tested four different modules without any difference. I've also tried various CPUs and inspected all socket pins. A new power adapter is arriving tomorrow. If that fails, I might have to desolder the BIOS and attempt external reprogramming.
I solved the issue by installing an adapter to externally modify the BIOS. I wanted this article to have a clear ending, so here it is. I’ll share a photo of the adapter I crafted, but I advise against making one yourself—purchasing is safer. The process took a lot of time, was quite challenging, and demanded more advanced knowledge I’d gained from other electronics work. The soldering part was particularly technical.