One long beep and two short beeps. That's a indication of that video card has been failed. If you think of solving the basic hardware problems with laptops...
1) remove the battery and try to boot is using AC power -failed
2) remove RAM and boot - yep it stop booting at all (normal)
3) replace RAM and boot - failed
4) connect to a external monitor and boot - failed
5) remove hard rive and boot - failed
pretty much everything I tried failed. Even contacting HP failed as it was already out of warranty. No complain for HP for that. After all the testing I have done I sure they will not give me any warranty. Only option was to put it aside and get a new computer. There is no point of replacing the hardware (video card is inbuilt one) it's going to cost me more.
After couple of months later I wanted a extra computer to test Windows7. Took the HP laptop back and booted it up. Same problem. Three beeps, nothing on the screen and lights are on. Tried couple of times.
Removed the battery and power and hit it bit hard on my leg (should not try it as it may hurt you) as I was bit upset about it.
Put the power back and BINGO. It start working. It booted up after three four months. Installed Windows7. When rebooting had the same issue as it did not reboot. I thought it is having issues in rebooting. But when you switch it off and boot it again it start normally.
So video card should be fine.
Then what is wrong with it? Even it start up it did not fix the problem. It keeps on coming and fix by it self and working again.
This is what HP is saying about this not booting HP laptop problem.
I assume it is something to do with heating problem as the BIOS fix make the fan run constantly to solve the issue it seems. But if the machine is already stop booting there is no luck with upgrading the BIOS. But you might be bit luck try bit of shaking and banging and see if there is any luck with it.
It is a common problem in HP DV series laptop unfortunately. In America it seems like HP is giving extended warranty for these machine but nothing like that in Australia. Everyone who is having this problem tells the same symptoms and no luck with it.
Good luck with it. If you are under warranty or in USA do not try any of these methods. simply contact HP and let them solve the problem for you. If you are having HP DV series machine make sure do the BIOS upgrade. That's all I can say about this issue.
