Laptop screen bank - not booting up

[tony_i]

Turned on the laptop today and there seems to be a major problem.

Though not completely dead, it doesn't sound like it's booting up properly and the screen is blank.

I'd opened up recently to inspect the DDR memory cards with a view to an upgrade (there are two filled slots). They seem to be seated okay but could this be the cause? Even if I'd damaged one while getting it out wouldn't the other boot up the computer okay?
Is this the cause of my problems?

Thanks for any help.

Tony

[thewizardofodds]

Turned on the laptop today and there seems to be a major problem.

Though not completely dead, it doesn't sound like it's booting up properly and the screen is blank.

I'd opened up recently to inspect the DDR memory cards with a view to an upgrade (there are two filled slots). They seem to be seated okay but could this be the cause? Even if I'd damaged one while getting it out wouldn't the other boot up the computer okay?
Is this the cause of my problems?

Thanks for any help.

Tony

ram not seated properly could cause it to not boot up. Can you plug into external monitor ?

[tony_i]

Appreciate the reply.

I thought about putting it on an external monitor but there's doesn't seem much point as it's not booking. There's power and the fan's turning but that's about it. I don't think it's a screen issue.

I've even swapped the ram sticks around but it hasn't made any difference.

My dilemma is whether new ram would solve the problem. However, the laptop is old and I don't want to start throwing good money after bad.

The upsetting thing is, typically, that I have some important photos I haven't backed up.

[thewizardofodds]

Appreciate the reply.

I thought about putting it on an external monitor but there's doesn't seem much point as it's not booking. There's power and the fan's turning but that's about it. I don't think it's a screen issue.

I've even swapped the ram sticks around but it hasn't made any difference.

My dilemma is whether new ram would solve the problem. However, the laptop is old and I don't want to start throwing good money after bad.

The upsetting thing is, typically, that I have some important photos I haven't backed up.

I wouldnt buy new ram for it if its old unless u can get some cheap off ebay or free around here from someone.
Dont worry about the pics thats easy enough to get off the drive, you can get an adaptor off ebay for a couple of quid that will let you plug a lappy hdd into pc slot or even buy an external usb box for lappy hdd for under a tenner. Check all connections like hdd etc and try using only one ram stick at a time and try in both slots

[tony_i]

Whether I'd be able to use a caddy on the hdd was going to be my next question. That's a relief.

I need to break off now but I'll give your suggestions a go later and let you know how I get on.

Thanks.

[tony_i]

Had a go at swapping the ram but no joy. Checked all the connections I can get too but no luck. Maybe it's time to call it a day. (The hdd's an old 40 gb Hitachi Travel Star dated 2006 so it's earned its passage.)

Is this the kind of thing needed to farm the data from the hdd?

USB to SATA IDE Hard Drive Adapter Converter w/AC Cable on eBay (end time 07-Sep-10 11:46:10 BST) (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/USB-SATA-IDE-Hard-Drive-Adapter-Converter-w-AC-Cable-/270499795000?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL)

Thanks.

[thewizardofodds]

Had a go at swapping the ram but no joy. Checked all the connections I can get too but no luck. Maybe it's time to call it a day. (The hdd's an old 40 gb Hitachi Travel Star dated 2006 so it's earned its passage.)

Is this the kind of thing needed to farm the data from the hdd?

USB to SATA IDE Hard Drive Adapter Converter w/AC Cable on eBay (end time 07-Sep-10 11:46:10 BST) (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/USB-SATA-IDE-Hard-Drive-Adapter-Converter-w-AC-Cable-/270499795000?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL)

Thanks.

As long as its a SATA hdd mate.

[tony_i]

Looks very much like on of these. Doesn't say SATA on it. Is it one?

File:Hitachi Travelstar.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hitachi_Travelstar.jpg)

[thewizardofodds]

If its got pins like the pic then its IDE not sata mate. Maplin sell ide adaptor for (.99. daerer than ebay etc but you can get over counter

2.5inch to 3.5inch Hard Drive Adaptor : Hard Drive Accessories : Maplin (http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?moduleno=36945)

or get something like this from ebay and you can use your old hdd for backup etc

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3-5-USB-2-0-IDE-HARD-DISK-DRIVE-HDD-EXTERNAL-CASE-UK-/390229613509?pt=UK_Collectables_HardDriveEnclosure s_RL

[tony_i]

I reckon the ebay one's the way to go.

Thanks for your help - really appreciated.

[thewizardofodds]

no probs mate.

[rsebastian]

Hi tony_i Did you check the Bios?? Sometimes the problem is because the Bios doesnt have assigned the hard drive to start all the computer.

So try this. Turn on ur laptop and at the same time press the F2 buttom. If you get access to the Bios, check that your hard drive is set up as primary IDE, if dont you have to do it, because maybe your laptop read ur cd-rom first or a usb port.

I hope this information will be useful for you

Cheers :thrasher:

[tony_i]

Hi tony_i Did you check the Bios?? Sometimes the problem is because the Bios doesnt have assigned the hard drive to start all the computer.

So try this. Turn on ur laptop and at the same time press the F2 buttom. If you get access to the Bios, check that your hard drive is set up as primary IDE, if dont you have to do it, because maybe your laptop read ur cd-rom first or a usb port.

I hope this information will be useful for you

Cheers :thrasher:

Thanks for your interest but the screen is dead so can't assess the state of the BIOS.

Gracias anyway.