Dv7 3185dx- BIOS for 2 seconds, computer stays on, screen go blank

Question

I've been looking at other posts for this problem and haven't seen one.
The screen obviously is working because it come on for the 2 seconds (tried to hook up a 2nd moniter and it has blank to.)
I changed the internal battery (CR2032)
I tried all the function keys and nothing??
The laptop is about 3 years old and used only a few times a week
I've got 6 dead HP laptops (no kidding) from over heating motherboards (parts??).  This is different however.
Any advise would be great!!

Answer 1

Thanks for the advise.
I followed your instructions
"Immediately press the Escape key repeatedly, about once every second, until the Startup menu opens"
The screen remains dark, startup didn't open, computer shut down.
Now when I press the power button the BIOS doesn't visually flash.  The screen stays blank, the panel lights go on and 15secs later the computer turns off??
I called the HP  number (Saturday) and was put on hold for over a half hour. The tech asked a bunch of questions, then asked for model number and serial number. She  told me that the computer (purchased in 2009) is obsolete and they do not support (or have parts) for anything over 4 years old. Why was she asking my story? She said  I can try a computer store.  I asked what a computer store would do if the manufacturer doesn't have the parts needed fo a repair. She said some may still have parts but if they don't try another store??  (more time!!)
ADVISE:  PLEASE WARN THE CUSTOMER ABOUT THE > THAN 4 YEAR POLICY... SOMEWHERE ON THE WEBSITE, ANSWERING SERVICE.  MY TIME WAS WASTED AS WAS HP'S?
Thanks for trying!