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black screen with blink cursor after boot...Dell Inspiron 5150
It seems like the problems never end of me and this laptop. Yes I know its getting old, but if its not one thing it’s the other. Just recently I added:
Seagate 160GB 5400/8MB 2.5" Mobile PATA HD (TMD-160A SY)
And
Crucial 1GB 200-Pin DDR SO-DIMM DDR 333 (PC 2700) Laptop Memory - Retail
Things seemed to be going well and running better then ever. I turn it on this mourning to get a black screen with a blinking cursor in the top left Connor.
I am able to boot up and the bar runs all the way across, the next screen is black with the blinking cursor.
I went into the setup and ran the diagnostic test and everything seemed fine.
What is going on here? Is the HD bad? I just got it. Am I going to loose all of the files on the drive?
I had a problem a few years ago with the OEM Dell HD and that the drive was not bad just couldn’t boot up. I remember someone told me to get a 2.5 enclosure external drive and just get my documents off it and do a fresh install…is that the case now?
Any help is greatly appreciated. And Happy Holidays!
Seagate 160GB 5400/8MB 2.5" Mobile PATA HD (TMD-160A SY)
And
Crucial 1GB 200-Pin DDR SO-DIMM DDR 333 (PC 2700) Laptop Memory - Retail
Things seemed to be going well and running better then ever. I turn it on this mourning to get a black screen with a blinking cursor in the top left Connor.
I am able to boot up and the bar runs all the way across, the next screen is black with the blinking cursor.
I went into the setup and ran the diagnostic test and everything seemed fine.
What is going on here? Is the HD bad? I just got it. Am I going to loose all of the files on the drive?
I had a problem a few years ago with the OEM Dell HD and that the drive was not bad just couldn’t boot up. I remember someone told me to get a 2.5 enclosure external drive and just get my documents off it and do a fresh install…is that the case now?
Any help is greatly appreciated. And Happy Holidays!
husky0894
1.6K Posts
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December 18th, 2008 12:00
The hard drive is likely fine, but the mainboard is faulty - at $400+ with labor to replace, it's probably time for a new notebook.
bigmikedmb
41 Posts
0
December 18th, 2008 12:00
you think? would another Dell Inspiron mainboard work? my rommate might have one...how hard is it to put in?
I have been told it could be bad RAM....
husky0894
1.6K Posts
0
December 18th, 2008 13:00
You can try reseating the memory, but the usual diagnosis of the flashing underscore is a bad board. No, another board won't work - you need the exact same one you have now.
bigmikedmb
41 Posts
0
December 18th, 2008 14:00
well, so what should my first move be to rule stuff out? I mean should I just try a fresh install? Should I get that enclousure to try to get the media off of it?
bigmikedmb
41 Posts
0
December 19th, 2008 13:00
anyone else
wolfpackoffroad
1 Message
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May 1st, 2009 08:00
Well don't know if this is timely enough as I have just had a similar problem but here was my situation.
Specs: 5150, 2GB mem, 160GB HD, 3.2GHz P4 processor running XP professional sp3, BIOS version A38(IIRC).
I had my laptop running, closed the lid to move and when I opened it in the other room it froze. I forced shutdown and laptop would not boot. I went immediately to the blank screen w/ cursor. It would just stay at that screen and then to shut it off pressing the power button would cause it to shut off instantly. Took it to a local shop as my warranty was up. They said dc jack was loose and replaced it. Also the HD was damaged from whatever event took place so replaced that as well. Got it back and works fine. The kicker is though that the tech said he had to disable speedstep and HT in the bios, it was giving him problems. I wanted more performace when i got the comp back and enabled them- upon restart I got the same immediate blank cursor. :-/ I plug in the ac adapter to the laptop, it was not even plugged into an outlet, and wiggled it. The comp booted right away from the blank screen w/ cursor and i went back to bios and disabled both speedstep and HT and it works fine now. If you can get to bios try disabling both settings and see if it solves your problem. As for why my computer worked for 4+ years with speedstep and HT working fine and all of a sudden it is a culprit I have no idea, but I am trying to get to the bottom of it.
Hope this helps!
Cheers-Josh