No DVD (E:) drive Detected (Laptop HP dv6000)

[jrpizano]

I have an HP Pavillion dv6000 laptop. It had been working fiine for several years. However, my laptop no longer detects my DVD drive (E. It was intermittant at first. Starting with 3-4 hours good, then disappear. I would shut down the laptop (30-60 minutes) and it would be fine. The good time interval dropped to several minutes, then nothing. I have two other hard drives (backup) with a copy of the same OS. I tried both backup hard drives and still No DVD drive detected. I tried looking for the Lowfilter and Upperfilter in the KEYS - were not present. The Device manager reported the DVD drive was present when the drive was detected and no DVD when the DVD drive was not showing up in the 'My Computer' icon. Also, I tried reloading the drivers - didn't work. All the channels in the 'Controller' report no problems. I purchased another DVD drive, still not detected... Not sure what to try next other than taking the laptop in for repairs... Anybody have any ideas what could be causing the problem?? NEED HELP!!

 

[compulsivebuilder]

Please don't double post - you won't get twice as many answers (you are more likely to annoy regulars who might otherwise have responded).

 

[katfishgr]

Is this an AMD/nVidia based DV6000??

If so ... it could be the well known nVidia chip defect causing you problems. I have repaired several of these over the last two years. Some had symptoms of missing wifi, computer wouldn't see mini card at all. Some came in and would power on, but not post. Or power on/off in a cycle every 2-3 seconds or so.

And I had two, out of all the ones I have repaired, that lost the dvd drive. And after repairing the defective chip, the drive simply reappeared in windows.

HP's affected models included DV series 2000, 6000 and 9000. Some F700 Compaqs and some HP TX1000 tablets. Common issues among them all, and the affected models were all AMD/nVidia based. The Intel based models didn't have these problems.

There was a lawsuit that followed against nVidia. But that's old news.

 

[jrpizano]

Please don't double post - you won't get twice as many answers (you are more likely to annoy regulars who might otherwise have responded).

Thanks, I double posted by mistake, saw the double posting, but did not delete one. I'll delete one.
I tried to delete one posting, however it is not real clear to me how to delete it. What am I overlooking. Most likely, something obvious...

Thanks,
Mr. Jim

 

[jrpizano]

so you deleted the upperfilters and lowerfilters keys in the registry right?

Do a clean reinstall of windows if you can, all laptops comes with diagnostic software run that to test for errors

1.) There were no upperfilters and/or lowerfilters keys in the registry.

2.) I've tried two backup hard drives with clean OS's, however I didn't try a clean reinstall using the diagnostice software. I'll try this and let you know how it works out...

Thanks,
Mr. Jim

 

[jrpizano]

Is this an AMD/nVidia based DV6000??

If so ... it could be the well known nVidia chip defect causing you problems. I have repaired several of these over the last two years. Some had symptoms of missing wifi, computer wouldn't see mini card at all. Some came in and would power on, but not post. Or power on/off in a cycle every 2-3 seconds or so.

And I had two, out of all the ones I have repaired, that lost the dvd drive. And after repairing the defective chip, the drive simply reappeared in windows.

HP's affected models included DV series 2000, 6000 and 9000. Some F700 Compaqs and some HP TX1000 tablets. Common issues among them all, and the affected models were all AMD/nVidia based. The Intel based models didn't have these problems.

There was a lawsuit that followed against nVidia. But that's old news.

1.) YES. This is an AMD/nVidia based DV6000 system.

2.) I have electronic engineering background. Is the nVidia chip on a socket or is it soldered in?

3.) Is the nVidia chip something I could attempt replacing?

4.) Is there a way to confirm the nVidia chip is defective?

5.) Are you in a position to repair my laptop?

Sorry for so many questions. Your response is the most comprehensive one to date...

Thanks/Regards,
Mr. Jim

 

[jrpizano]

But have you thought about just returning the dvd drive you bought, and swapping it out for an external one, you could just ask the place you bought the new dvd drive from if they will replace it with an external drive, so no money lost and at least it will work.

Yes. I've priced external USB DVD drives ~($29 - $100) at Frys Electronics. I'm going to pursue a few more attempts and if all fails, I will take your advice. It's a good make sense idea...

Thanks and Regards,
Mr. Jim

 

[jrpizano]

Is this an AMD/nVidia based DV6000??

If so ... it could be the well known nVidia chip defect causing you problems. I have repaired several of these over the last two years. Some had symptoms of missing wifi, computer wouldn't see mini card at all. Some came in and would power on, but not post. Or power on/off in a cycle every 2-3 seconds or so.

And I had two, out of all the ones I have repaired, that lost the dvd drive. And after repairing the defective chip, the drive simply reappeared in windows.

HP's affected models included DV series 2000, 6000 and 9000. Some F700 Compaqs and some HP TX1000 tablets. Common issues among them all, and the affected models were all AMD/nVidia based. The Intel based models didn't have these problems.

There was a lawsuit that followed against nVidia. But that's old news.

CAN YOU RECOMMEND A PLACE TO HAVE MY HP PAVILLION LAPTOP dv6000 CHECKED OUT / REPAIRED ??

Thanks,
Mr. Jim

 

[jrpizano]

Best answer selected by jrpizano.

 

[katfishgr]

It's soldered on the mainboard, BGA (ball grid array) ... I don't have the equipment to replace the chips, I simply heat them to a certain temp. And this seems to work fairly well. With about an 85% success rate. Some chips are in worse shape than others.

Once that has been done, I modify the cooling system, heatsink. HP used a little rubber-like pad between the chip and the heatsink. I can't see how this is real efficient for transfering heat. I replace that rubber pad with a 1mm copper shim and use some artic silver thermal paste on both sides of the shim when putting it back together.

With the defects the chip had, and the lack of decent cooling in the laptop, it was only a matter of time before people started to have problems. HP even extended warranty service, by one year, on models they designated as being affected. Problem there was, some models weren't on the list, but still had the problems.

I read somewhere that other brands with the same chip had problems as well. But maybe not as bad as HP had it, given the poor heatsink design.

As far as where to take it?? Maybe check some local shops, ask if they are familiar with the defect. Ask if they have any experience in repairing the problem. Or putting a bandaid on it, which is more or less what is done. You could always replace the mainboard, but you'll eventually have the same symptoms again, or worse.

I'd maybe recommend getting an external drive and use that until the laptop dies and no longer posts, eventually it will die. Then replace the laptop.

 

[mikosco4real]

It's soldered on the mainboard, BGA (ball grid array) ... I don't have the equipment to replace the chips, I simply heat them to a certain temp. And this seems to work fairly well. With about an 85% success rate. Some chips are in worse shape than others.

Once that has been done, I modify the cooling system, heatsink. HP used a little rubber-like pad between the chip and the heatsink. I can't see how this is real efficient for transfering heat. I replace that rubber pad with a 1mm copper shim and use some artic silver thermal paste on both sides of the shim when putting it back together.

With the defects the chip had, and the lack of decent cooling in the laptop, it was only a matter of time before people started to have problems. HP even extended warranty service, by one year, on models they designated as being affected. Problem there was, some models weren't on the list, but still had the problems.

I read somewhere that other brands with the same chip had problems as well. But maybe not as bad as HP had it, given the poor heatsink design.

As far as where to take it?? Maybe check some local shops, ask if they are familiar with the defect. Ask if they have any experience in repairing the problem. Or putting a bandaid on it, which is more or less what is done. You could always replace the mainboard, but you'll eventually have the same symptoms again, or worse.

Dear Katfishgr,
You appear to be the only guy with good idea of what is causing this common problem. Please what material do you use to apply the heat on the Chip, and how do you regulate the temperature of the heating so that it maintains such success percentage.?

 

[guy repair some]

YOur gonna need: 1. A heat gun 2. screw drivers according to the laptop 3.How to disassemble it.( Through youtube if u like) next heat the graphice chip which is next to the cpu chip for about 35 to 45 seconds on 450 degrees c. then u can use the 1 mm copper shim or a 1 cent copper coin from 1980 or older which is pure copper. and apply thermal paste( a good quality) on both sides of the coin and place it on the gpu. see youtube for more info, I have personnally done this many times.

 

[Peter David Hill]

Excessive heating is the cause of failure of the BGA chip solder. Heating in an oven at 200C for 8 min can fix it. While you have it in bits remove the lint ball from the fan and heat exchanger fins. This will give it a better chance of lasting longer.