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November 21st, 2025 18:07
Frozen Laptop Screen
My laptop is frozen on Dell, Set Up Screen and will not respond to ANY keys on keyboard (see pic). Cannot open anything. I need to open and transfer files to another laptop. Please help unlock frozen screen.
Esther
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user_8d9c25
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November 21st, 2025 18:12
My laptop is frozen on Dell, Set Up Screen and will not respond to ANY keys on keyboard (see pic). Cannot open anything. I need to open and transfer files to another laptop. Please help unlock frozen screen.
Esther
(edited)
ejn63
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November 21st, 2025 19:09
Unplug the system, remove the base cover and disconnect the battery from the mainboard. Hold the power button for 30 seconds.
Remove and reinstall the memory module(s) and hard drive or SSD.
Disconnect all external USB devices and reassemble the system and see if it'll boot.
If you need more detail, post the full system model number (Inspiron 5593, etc.).
user_8d9c25
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November 23rd, 2025 23:22
My laptop is a Dell Inspiron, model #5720, running windows 7.
Is this something any individual can do or does it need to go to the computer shop?
Any help you can give would be appreciated.
Thank you.
ejn63
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November 23rd, 2025 23:28
If the above hasn't produced any effect, that's one option but you have a system that's over 10 years old and worth about $50-75 at best -- a single repair effort will exceed the value of the system
user_8d9c25
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November 27th, 2025 05:26
@ejn63 Thank you for that insight. Noted.
Is it worth removing the hard drive to retrieve stored data?
ejn63
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November 27th, 2025 12:09
If you need the data, the answer is clear.
user_8d9c25
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November 27th, 2025 14:00
Thank you! I do need.
user_8d9c25
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January 20th, 2026 18:46
Hey there, I'm back
I decided to give your above instructions a try. Is there any other step-by-step instructions or illustrations you can help me with to retrieve hard drive data? I am prepared to remove and install memory module(s) and hard drive or SSD. Disconnect all external USB devices and reassemble the system (that I don't know a thing about). I will try. What parts do I need to replace. Any other instructions would be helpful. My laptop is a Dell Inspiron 17R 5720 Windows 7. A video would be nice. Thanks
ejn63
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January 20th, 2026 19:09
Assuming what you have is a 2.5" hard driver, you'll need something like this:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1661744-REG/sabrent_ec_ocub_2_5_sata_usb.html
Remove the drive, mount it inside and attach it to a working system. You should be able to access the data on the drive and copy it to the working system.
Joepiccaso
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March 26th, 2026 13:58
This is the 3rd time this has happened. The only way I could get it back on was to do the battery removal thing. This basically renders the laptop useless. Hie do I fix this or is this just an issue I have to live with? Meaning I have to buy another computer.