This weekend I had to re-start my laptop many times. The last time I had to re-start it, I could not get it to turn on at all. I push the power button and lights flicker for a second but the fan does not turn on and there is no activity on the screen. Does this mean my mother board is fried? Is there any hope for me? Or do I call Juno and cancel my internet subscription?
The power for the laptop comes straight for the a/c outlet. I don't use a battery with it. ==================================================== 04-11-05, 12:40 PM putasolutions I assume you still have the battery? If so, will it start on battery power? ==================================================== 04-11-05, 12:44 PM Georgia85 The battery that came with it has been dead for the past year - I've never used it. ==================================================== 04-11-05, 12:58 PM putasolutions Frown ok, that doesn't help!
Obviously you have another source of internet connection, or you wouldn't be posting here.
Does the laptop has a floppy drive?
If the answer is yes, what version of Windows is on it?
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and what laptop is it? ==================================================== 04-11-05, 04:00 PM Georgia85 I'm posting while at work using the commpany computer. It's my personal computer at home that is dead.
It does have floppy drive and a cd rom drive. It has Windows 98 on it. And it's a:
Dell Latitude Cpi D233ST Model No: PPL ==================================================== 04-11-05, 04:53 PM putasolutions I don't suppose you have the permissions to download a file do you? ==================================================== 04-11-05, 05:02 PM Georgia85 How the devil can I download something when I can't even get my computer to work? lol
If you think there is a way I can get my laptop to turn on, I would greatly appreciate directions. If there is a file I need, just tell me where to find it and how to get it on a dead laptop. Thanks Smile ==================================================== 04-11-05, 05:11 PM putasolutions I was meaning at work.
I had the permissions so tight at my last place of work, that it was impossible to download anything. bit more relaxed now
go to this page and download the diagnostic utilities, you will need a couple of disks ==================================================== 04-12-05, 08:16 AM Georgia85 At work I can't download but I can get a friend to download from home and save an application on discs. Thing is, if my computer won't even start up, what good will the discs do? They won't be able to load.
I did try to go to this page but I got "Access Denied" May I trouble you for the direct url typed out and further instructions so that I can print them out and ask for my friend's help? ==================================================== 04-12-05, 08:34 AM putasolutions support.dell.com/support/downloads/format
There are full instructions on the page.
What I am thinking is that the hard drive may be damaged and this may be able to determine the cause. ==================================================== 04-12-05, 10:50 AM Georgia85 Thanks for the full url. The tiny url doesn't help tho because I am blocked from that page so I can't get to the instructions. But now that I have the above url - I can give it to a friend and see if she can download what I need. Will the instructions show how having the disc can actually get the computer to turn on? That's what I don't understand. If the computer won't turn on, how can putting a disc in it do anything? ==================================================== 04-12-05, 11:50 AM putasolutions What I am hoping, for your sake, is that the system is just automatically shutting down, "I push the power button and lights flicker for a second", putting the disk in, it may have something to "talk" to ==================================================== 04-12-05, 01:35 PM Georgia85 Oh....yeah, well I think it will be an awful short conversation! Wink
So in other words - so much for my online activity at home! ==================================================== 04-12-05, 11:59 PM Dwight If Windows is unable to start-up, you can sometimes start it in "Safe Mode". To do that, you repeatedly press and release the F8 key at the first screen. If the system starts, use your arrow keys to select the "Safe Mode" option, then press enter.
If you can get it to start in "Safe Mode", you can run many diagnostic checks. More on this later (hopefully...).
You can also sometimes start a reluctant machine using an "Emergency Start-up Floppy Disk". You can make an * emergency startup disk using any Windows 98 or Windows 98 SE machine. Once it is created, put in the floppy disk and try starting your computer. If the computer can see the diskette, it will boot to that.
It sounds like your hard drive may not be working correctly. I have also seen a similar situation with a Sony Vaio laptop where the grounding pin was slightly bent and the system would not start. Opening the case and manipulating the grounding pin solved the problem. The grounding pin is where the AC power cord connects to the computer (in the case of the Sony).
Your situation is obviously a serious problem, but I hope you won't give up on it too quickly. Sometimes, the most difficult problems turn out to be the easiest to fix.
Dwight ==================================================== 04-13-05, 08:58 AM Georgia85 Thanks so much Dwight. I had found a site yesterday that talked about an emergency startup disc but I never could figure out how having a disc would help if I couldn't even turn the computer on. You've explained it somewhat to me. So...do I push the power button and then insert the disc or do I insert the disc first and then push the power button? Right now I have the laptop unplugged and sitting still. I've also read that with Dells sometimes if you leave them alone for a week or two they will mysteriously start up again.
I hope that may be the case because I don't even know how I could make that emergency startup disc for Windows 98. Everyone I know uses 2000 or XP.
You think I should try to figure out to open the case and look to see if anything looks bent? ==================================================== 04-13-05, 04:01 PM Dwight To startup using an Emergency Startup Diskette, you put in the disk, then press the power on switch. Since the floppy disk is normally set to boot first, if a disk is seen, it will boot to that disk...if the diskette is a system disk. If the diskette isn't a system or boot disk, it will generate an error message saying "Non-System disk..." and "Please remove the disk and press any key."
For our purposes, I believe you could try putting in any floppy disk and seeing if you see the error message. If you do, then we could try the Emergency Boot Diskette. I could make and send one to you if you like. My email address is listed on my webpage http://dwightblackburn.com and you could send me a mailing address.
If you don't generate the "Non-System disk..." error message, then I would guess the problem is that the motherboard is not receiving any electrical power. That could be caused by a variety of problems including a failed On/Off switch (possible, not likely), a damaged "ground" as mentioned above, a "fried" motherboard, etc. Many computer shops will do a diagnostic check without charge and then give you an estimate of repairs. The "grounding" problem mentioned before cost $78 in labor fees to fix.
Their Anchorage/Wasilla stores do a very good job at fair prices.
I hope this helps!
Dwight ==================================================== 04-13-05, 04:57 PM Georgia85 I will go home now and try a floppy disc to see if I get any message. I'm not very confident that I will get anything to happen but we shall see (said the blind man as he picked up his hammer and saw)
Thanks for the link for Computer Renaissance. There don't appear to be any stores in Atlanta but I appreciate the info.
I'll be back! ==================================================== 04-14-05, 10:30 AM Georgia85 Thank you Puta and Dwight for your suggestions. Unfortunately none have worked. I made a startup disc and tried turning on the machine with that in it - no luck. I took out about 25 screws last night and took the computer apart but everything looked alright. Put the case back together and still no luck. It almost seems to me that there is no connection between the power button and the internal source it must contact but I could not figure out a way to get under the power button to see. Just pushing down on the button causes a quick "whirl" of the fan and then it's gone. Monitor remains black. ==================================================== 04-14-05, 10:52 PM vansrme Georgia, Could you get me the service tag for your laptop? If you dont feel right posting it, just email it. it should be on the bottom of the laptop with a white tag. Thanks!
chris ==================================================== 04-15-05, 03:08 PM Georgia85 Chris, didn't you ask me for the service tag number last year when I was having problems and wasn't the conclusion that there was no service tag? Remember, it was a hand me down from a corporation in NY and it had their own inventory tag on it. But I will certainly look again when I get home and then send you a reply from my cingular pager to your yahoo address. Thanks
p.s. vans are meaty? After the initial laugh I finally was able to decipher your e-mail address listed in your profile. ==================================================== 04-15-05, 10:38 PM vansrme Dell Laptop Won't Start hahaha! Yeah, that email listing is a little odd.
I dont remember about the service tag from before, but I'll check it again anyway, my memory isnt what it used to be! Smile
chris ==================================================== 04-18-05, 04:32 PM Georgia85 Attention all people who need help with computers....add Vansrme to your list computer experts!
Can I just tell you, this man rocks. Not only did he spend an hour and half on the phone with me Saturday BUT he got a dead laptop to start up. Kudos to Chris and thanks to Puta and Dwight for all their efforts Smile ==================================================== 04-18-05, 10:44 PM vansrme AWWWWWWWWWWW, now cmon georgia, LOL (Blushing)
chris ==================================================== 04-18-05, 10:54 PM Dwight Thanks Chris for all of your help... Just curious what you found was the problem with the laptop. Dwight ==================================================== 04-19-05, 09:30 AM vansrme Dwight, I had contacted Dell to ask for suggestions, and they sent a list of things to try. I really didnt do much. The first thing she tried , was to unplug the AC Adapter from the laptop, then hold the power button down for about 10 seconds to drain off any power left. Then when she plugged the Adapter back in, it booted right up! She had to do it again to make sure, but it booted fine after that. After taking it apart earler, she had inadvertantly left a connection loose from the keyboard to the motherboard, which is why she couldnt get it to work. An external keyboard would work tho. She took it back apart, and fixed the keyboard, now it seems to be ok. I'm wondering if maybe the switch was just overloaded temporarily. The Dell tech was the real hero, LOL. I hadnt thought of that approach yet, tho I should have, Smile. oh well, live and learn huh?
chris ==================================================== 04-19-05, 12:36 PM Georgia85 I had already had all power sources unplugged from the laptop and when Chris told me to hold down the power button for 10 seconds I was like "Have you lost your mind? How the devil do you think that will do anything when the darn thing isn't even plugged in?!" Then he heard me squeal in delight and say "Well I'll be - it worked!" Big Grin
Yeah, who woulda ever thought of contacting Dell directly Roll Eyes It's more fun to contact ya'll! ==================================================== 04-19-05, 12:49 PM Dwight That is a new one on me, too. I never would have thought of doing that! Printers (especially HP's) will do the same thing. You shut them off and then wait about 10 seconds before turning them back on to clear out everything and get a "clean" restart. The capacitor drains down during that 10 second pause.
My guess is that the capacitor was overcharged and unplugging everything and pressing the power button drained it.
Thanks to both of you for the follow-up.
Dwight ==================================================== 04-20-05, 10:59 PM vansrme No problem Dwight! I just hope thats the last of Georgia's problems with her laptop.
chris ==================================================== 04-21-05, 04:24 AM putasolutions At least the lappie hasn't gone to the great junk yard in the sky, full marks to Dell Support!!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,
Posts: 9192 | Location: Atlanta, GA, USA | Registered: 06-03-02
