Unsolved
This post is more than 5 years old
3 Posts
0
2390
March 26th, 2005 14:00
Can't Boot at All (not even to BIOS)
I have an Inspiron 5100. It has been overheating a lot lately, so I followed some recommendations I found in the support forum and blew some compressed air into the vents. It blew out a ton of dust, so I figured there was my problem right there.
Problem is that now my computer will not boot at all. I can't even get the Dell startup screen. The power light comes on, the fan comes on, and the DVD-drive clicks, but that's it. No flashing of NUM LOCK or CAPS LOCK lights, no hard drive activity, and the display doesn't even flicker. I pushed all the keys on the keyboard, with no results. I tried downloading a BIOS iso and burning it onto CD-ROM, but that didn't do anything.
A couple of possibly relevant observations:
- In the middle of my blowing compressed air into the vents, some liquid did squirt out of the bottle, and I suspect into the interior of the computer through the vents.
- As I was holding the computer sideways while trying to blow air into the vents, I dropped it back onto the table. It wasn't far, basically just dropping at a 90 degree angle back onto the tabletop, but could I have jolted something inside?
Unfortunately, my warranty expired, so I can't send it back. Any suggestions would be extremely appreciated. Thanks.
Problem is that now my computer will not boot at all. I can't even get the Dell startup screen. The power light comes on, the fan comes on, and the DVD-drive clicks, but that's it. No flashing of NUM LOCK or CAPS LOCK lights, no hard drive activity, and the display doesn't even flicker. I pushed all the keys on the keyboard, with no results. I tried downloading a BIOS iso and burning it onto CD-ROM, but that didn't do anything.
A couple of possibly relevant observations:
- In the middle of my blowing compressed air into the vents, some liquid did squirt out of the bottle, and I suspect into the interior of the computer through the vents.
- As I was holding the computer sideways while trying to blow air into the vents, I dropped it back onto the table. It wasn't far, basically just dropping at a 90 degree angle back onto the tabletop, but could I have jolted something inside?
Unfortunately, my warranty expired, so I can't send it back. Any suggestions would be extremely appreciated. Thanks.
No Events found!
Computer_Engine
6 Posts
0
March 26th, 2005 15:00
yanks2023
3 Posts
0
March 26th, 2005 21:00
I'm quite sure it's not the display. There's just no activity even with the hard drive. I took your advice and tried connecting to an external monitor, and I tried booting with a Windows CD. No change.
I don't think it's the hard drive either, since I don't even get a startup screen.
Could it be something with the processor?
leduke30
2 Intern
•
4K Posts
0
March 27th, 2005 01:00
johnallg
2 Intern
•
7.3K Posts
0
March 28th, 2005 21:00
yanks2023
3 Posts
0
March 29th, 2005 07:00
Unfortunately, nothing's worked so far. I tried reseating the RAM modules (even switched my 2 DIMMS around). I even went so far as to take apart the computer and remove then re-place the heat sink fan. Same results.
RaffyB
1 Message
0
June 14th, 2005 15:00
I have the same problem since one month and only then, when my Laptop is stored below 20°C. BIOS only starts up, when i softly heat the laptop (like lay it in the sun for about 5-8 minutes) before starting up.
But there was no shock to the Laptop like his. I handled it always carefully.
When it doesn't find the BIOS, the screen remains black or there are some blue lines altering with white lines. No Dell logo or any other system or boot messages.
Could it be that the BIOS battery should be replaced (if there is one) ?
leduke30
2 Intern
•
4K Posts
0
June 14th, 2005 16:00