Notebook Reboots Every (3) Seconds ??

[Katmandu]

I have a HP ZE 4400 here that after the power button is pushed, it will reboot itself after (3) seconds. It continues this rebooting issue until the system is turned off.

It will not turn off using the power button since in reverts to the battery. I have to pull the battery to get it to turn off.

What's going on here ?

TIA

 

[Katmandu]

Could it be the thermal paste on the CPU dried out or maybe the thermal chip on the motherboard ?

How do I troubleshoot this problem ?????

 

[superdave1984]

Can you pop in the CD and boot to the recovery console?

 

[Katmandu]

Can you pop in the CD and boot to the recovery console?

Should of tried it.

I'm in the middle of teaing it down to check out the CPU/Heatsink/Thermal pad condition.

How does on check out a CPU and/or Thermal Chip ??

Whatelse should I be checking out ??

 

[Katmandu]

I tore the laptop down and looked at the CPU/Heatsink connection. The old thermal pad is very discolored and appears wasn't making good contact.

Now, how can I tell if the CPU was actually damaged OR if it was just that the thermal pad deteriorated ???