My HP Touchsmart took a dump last week. It turns on, the fan spools up, the HDD turns on, the DVD self-tests, no screen, no beep. Which means, no POST.

I'm debating on taking the 1TB SATA HDD out of it, copy all the "good" stuff off of it onto my laptop, and put it in my FreeNAS server to add even more storage. Or, stuff it back in the box and ship it to HP and maybe they can resurrect it.

Thoughts?

How old is it?

If it is still under warranty let them fix it, if not then you could try to fix it yourself, my money is on the SATA HDD failing, of course I am not sure how hard it would be to swap out the 500GB STA drive for a tad bit smaller SSD drive, if it is possible that is what I'd do, but I am not familiar with laptops really, only desktop PC'*, I have only touched a laptop once.. :o
I don't see why you couldn't get a 3.5" SSD, or a 2.5" to 3.5" adapter to make an SSD fit, of course you could probably just go with a regular 500GB HDD like it already has, as a SSD is going to cost more for the money, as a 3.5" SSD is a lot of $$$$$ for a tiny SSD...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...h=1&srchInDesc

HDD is not the issue. Its the computer. It won't "turn" on and POST.

Computer is about 4 years old.

Question I'm debating is, accept my loss and just use the HDD as extra storage in my FreeNAS server or pay to get the PC fixed.

Ahhh ok, I was a little thrown off by you saying "It turns on, the fan spools up, the HDD turns on, the DVD self-tests".
Not posting would be a hardware failure, probably the mobo, which would be pretty costly to repair, compared to the price of buying a new one.
So I'd lean towards "accept my loss and just use the HDD as extra storage in my FreeNAS server".

Have you tried disconnecting the hard drive, optical drive, and wireless network card one at a time to see if it would post?
That is what I have done in the past when troubleshooting a desktop PC that won't post, if unplugging all hardware does nothing then it is either the mobo, or the CPU.
One other thing, have you tried to remove the battery, then hold the power button down a few seconds?
That should clear the CMOS, it most likely won't change anything, but it won't hurt to try.

Thing is, its a Touchsmart. A super laptop designed to be a desktop with a touchscreen. Thing isn't built like desktop. I tried jumping the jumper to clear the CMOS, but no change.

Guess I'll copy the good stuff and use it for "good stuff" storage

I just can't win today. I get everything copied over from the 1TB, re-partition the HDD, login into the server via the web GUI, shutdown the server, install the HDD, attempt to turn the server back on and nothing. I grab my 80 diagnostic card, throw it in, and its showing no power from the PS. It'* too late to hit the PC store.

My Norton is going to throw a hissy fit because it can't find the 2nd backup location. Grrr.

Damn Mike, definitely not your week man, hopefully this is the last of your PC troubles!