I can't, because it doesn't even get to the first screen. It's like it ran out of battery, when just a red light flashes, vhen you try to start it up. Well in this case the "caps lock indicator" flashes a few times. It doesn't show anything on the screen, it even doesn't start the hard drive.
Post up any part numbers or other info on the 2GB module.
Remove the hard-drive. An then try to power-on with just the on-board 256MB. Use F2 at the Dell splash screen to get into setup. Find the option to load default values and then save and exit.
If that works then re-instate the 2GB and load defaults and save etc.
Then reinstate the HD and see can you run diags.
Officially this system supports only 1.25GB of ram. The 2GB module might work depending on a number of factors, however the construction of the SODIMM will need to be the same as the on-board 256MB. IE. The bit organisation likely needs to be 8 bits wide. Newer modules can be16 bits wide.
It's Goodram GR800S264L6/2G and it worked just fine for two days. After the BSOD I replaced it with the original stick, but nothing happened. It's 800MHz (original stick: 333MHz), but as far as I know it's supposed to work at frequency of the slowest stick.
I have done what you said, but it's still the same. There is no Dell screen, it doesn't even illuminate the screen. It doesn't stard the hard drive. Nothing happens except the blinking caps lock light.
If it won't post with just the onboard 256MB and no HD and nothing else plugged in such as memory cards in the card reader then it sounds like it will be the system board is toast or maybe the screen/inverter.
You could try seeing can you remove stuff such as wireless / bluetooth cards and battery etc and see does that allow post. Might involve dismantling the system.
Apparently Latitude X1's are re-badged Samsung Q30. You could research that model and see does anything come to light.
Removing battery and everything else on the outside was the first thing I did. About dismantling the system... I did that last night looking for the CMOS battery (located under the track pad). It actually involves removing the screen completely! But removing WLAN, phone modem, BT and card reader didn't come to my mind. It's quite a long procedure getting inside, so I'll probably try that tomorrow, when I'll have some spare time.
About the toast... I find it hard to believe the 2GB ram stick had anything to do with that, but I was thinking, the laptop is about 6.5 years old and for the last two years the cpu never exceeded 80% of the time because of the page file. But when I installed the 2GB stick, the cpu was usage was 100% every time it booted up. Let's not forget, the cooling is absolutely passive. Could that be a possible reason?
I think you can eliminate the new ram for now, since you have no POST with just the base 256MB. Since the caps lock indicator comes on you have power, so you likely have corrupt CMOS/ESCD data or faulty hardware, The CMOS you have eliminated by removing the CMOS battery. So you are left with a coincidental hardware fault.
All you can really do is eliminate everything you can until you are left with the system board.
It is hard to see that additional ram would stress the CPU more. And if the CPU overheated due to some failure of the passive cooling then it should have shutdown when a limit was reached. It should restart when cold.
More likely that the Northbridge of the chipset or the GPU has been over heating and packed up. Ram would not cause that. In most cases additional ram is either supported and works OK. Or the system will fail to post, or will crash within minutes if it does post. Removing faulty or incorrect spec ram usually fixes any such issues.
I'm sorry for being so late. I have tried to answer from another computer but kept getting a server error, don't know why. However I have removed just everything from the motherboard, but still the same reaction. Is that the time to call it dead or there is still some hope? Now there is breaking the news, but if anyone gets an idea, please post it up here.
The only thing that comes to mind is to remove the coin cell for the NVRAM / CMOS. Check the voltage with a voltmeter. Assuming it a CR2032 or similar it should read circa 3 volts.
You should be able to get one any place that sells batteries. Even a supermarket.
I have not experienced it myself, but I have read that if the cell voltage drops, maybe to 1.5V then it can cause problems and prevent some laptops from posting. Might be an internet myth - might not..
ieee488
4 Operator
•
11.1K Posts
0
June 17th, 2011 19:00
F12 at bootup and run Dell Diagnostics
hcaine
5 Posts
0
June 18th, 2011 01:00
I can't, because it doesn't even get to the first screen. It's like it ran out of battery, when just a red light flashes, vhen you try to start it up. Well in this case the "caps lock indicator" flashes a few times. It doesn't show anything on the screen, it even doesn't start the hard drive.
Thank you for your reply!
Enceladus
297 Posts
0
June 18th, 2011 05:00
Post up any part numbers or other info on the 2GB module.
Remove the hard-drive. An then try to power-on with just the on-board 256MB. Use F2 at the Dell splash screen to get into setup. Find the option to load default values and then save and exit.
If that works then re-instate the 2GB and load defaults and save etc.
Then reinstate the HD and see can you run diags.
Officially this system supports only 1.25GB of ram. The 2GB module might work depending on a number of factors, however the construction of the SODIMM will need to be the same as the on-board 256MB. IE. The bit organisation likely needs to be 8 bits wide. Newer modules can be16 bits wide.
hcaine
5 Posts
0
June 18th, 2011 06:00
It's Goodram GR800S264L6/2G and it worked just fine for two days. After the BSOD I replaced it with the original stick, but nothing happened. It's 800MHz (original stick: 333MHz), but as far as I know it's supposed to work at frequency of the slowest stick.
I have done what you said, but it's still the same. There is no Dell screen, it doesn't even illuminate the screen. It doesn't stard the hard drive. Nothing happens except the blinking caps lock light.
Thank you for the idea!
Enceladus
297 Posts
0
June 18th, 2011 07:00
If it won't post with just the onboard 256MB and no HD and nothing else plugged in such as memory cards in the card reader then it sounds like it will be the system board is toast or maybe the screen/inverter.
You could try seeing can you remove stuff such as wireless / bluetooth cards and battery etc and see does that allow post. Might involve dismantling the system.
Apparently Latitude X1's are re-badged Samsung Q30. You could research that model and see does anything come to light.
hcaine
5 Posts
0
June 18th, 2011 08:00
Removing battery and everything else on the outside was the first thing I did. About dismantling the system... I did that last night looking for the CMOS battery (located under the track pad). It actually involves removing the screen completely! But removing WLAN, phone modem, BT and card reader didn't come to my mind. It's quite a long procedure getting inside, so I'll probably try that tomorrow, when I'll have some spare time.
About the toast... I find it hard to believe the 2GB ram stick had anything to do with that, but I was thinking, the laptop is about 6.5 years old and for the last two years the cpu never exceeded 80% of the time because of the page file. But when I installed the 2GB stick, the cpu was usage was 100% every time it booted up. Let's not forget, the cooling is absolutely passive. Could that be a possible reason?
And again, thanks for the idea, I'll try it!
Enceladus
297 Posts
0
June 18th, 2011 11:00
I think you can eliminate the new ram for now, since you have no POST with just the base 256MB. Since the caps lock indicator comes on you have power, so you likely have corrupt CMOS/ESCD data or faulty hardware, The CMOS you have eliminated by removing the CMOS battery. So you are left with a coincidental hardware fault.
All you can really do is eliminate everything you can until you are left with the system board.
It is hard to see that additional ram would stress the CPU more. And if the CPU overheated due to some failure of the passive cooling then it should have shutdown when a limit was reached. It should restart when cold.
More likely that the Northbridge of the chipset or the GPU has been over heating and packed up. Ram would not cause that. In most cases additional ram is either supported and works OK. Or the system will fail to post, or will crash within minutes if it does post. Removing faulty or incorrect spec ram usually fixes any such issues.
hcaine
5 Posts
0
June 20th, 2011 15:00
I'm sorry for being so late. I have tried to answer from another computer but kept getting a server error, don't know why. However I have removed just everything from the motherboard, but still the same reaction. Is that the time to call it dead or there is still some hope? Now there is breaking the news, but if anyone gets an idea, please post it up here.
Thank you for all the help.
Enceladus
297 Posts
0
June 20th, 2011 16:00
The only thing that comes to mind is to remove the coin cell for the NVRAM / CMOS. Check the voltage with a voltmeter. Assuming it a CR2032 or similar it should read circa 3 volts.
You should be able to get one any place that sells batteries. Even a supermarket.
I have not experienced it myself, but I have read that if the cell voltage drops, maybe to 1.5V then it can cause problems and prevent some laptops from posting. Might be an internet myth - might not..