Laptop doesn't boot, screen doesn't turn on, no error beeps or booting sounds are heard

One last thing you can try is removing and reinstalling the memory modules.  If you don't get anywhere with that, it's likely the mainboard needs to be replaced.  Having an AC adapter repaired is a bad idea - done incorrectly it can take out the mainboard, which is likely what happened here.

Hello WWW1992,

In addition to what Ejn63 has said, I would also request you to try running the Pre-Boot System Assessment (PSA / ePSA) Diagnostics and check it generates any error code. If it does, note down the error code and update me with the same, would let you know the next course of action.

Also check if the system is able to enter the BIOS Setup. To enter BIOS Setup, restart the computer and keep tapping F2 key. 

Please try the steps and write back with results. 

I am unable to run the PSA. i have tried multiple times but the screen remains blank.

I perhaps wasn't clear before, i can see nothing on the screen, the screen doesn't turn on at all. Also when i press the power button when the laptop is on, the laptop shuts off immediately.Usually after booting up it takes a press and hold of the power button to turn off the computer, so i am guessing no booting is taking place. Its like the adapter and the battery are only powering the power button light and the notification light of the same and the charging light. The HDD and the rest of the laptop is pretty much dead.

I want to believe this dilemma is not more than a faulty connection between any internal components but i think the motherboard's fried as indicated by Ejn63. But how can a repaired adapter cause that, because the laptop  continued to work perfectly for a week or two after the repair. Shouldn't a fried situation occur almost immediately? Also i think one of my brothers while using it may have spilled some water on the keyboard, could that cause a failure and symptoms like this. Again the laptop was working perfectly since the last time any of my brothers used it.

Hello WWW1992,

It might be possible that the water spillage might be the cause. Even if it had worked but the system got damaged gradually. I would also like to know if you were able to enter the BIOS Setup by restarting the computer and tapping F2.

Awaiting your response!

Thanks for bearing with me.

I was able to access the bios setup  before the laptop's current status. Infact i accessed the setup just a day before this whole issue came about.

As i mentioned earlier the screen shows nothing when i turn the laptop on, there is no dell logo appearing, just nothing. I have tried to press f2 multiple times when i turn on the laptop but since the screen shows nothing, i guess i am unable to enter the bios setup. 

I know you might be thinking there is something wrong with the screen but if the laptop is booting up, i should be able to hear the sounds windows makes when it starts. But i am not hearing any such sounds, which leads me to believe its an all round failure, no sight, no sounds.

Hello WWW1992,

In that case, please shut down the computer by pressing and holding the power button. Once the system is off, press and hold the D key and then press the Power button and check if you see anything on the screen. It should initiate the LCD self-test.

Please try the steps and write back with your findings.

Hello Allan D,

I have done as you asked but the result is still the same, nothing on screen, no hdd response. 

Hello WWW1992,

Please help me understand if you have tried re-seating the memory modules as suggested by Ejn63 in his post earlier. If not, please try re-seating the memory modules.

• Remove all the memory modules from the computer and check if any beeps are heard.
• If you hear the beeps, it means that the motherboard is working fine.
• Then try only one memory stick at one time, in each slot. Example: Take one memory stick, insert it into the first slot, and check if the computer boots to windows. Then try the same memory stick in second slot and follow the same pattern until you test all the memory in all slots.

Hello Allan-D,

It worked. One of the memory modules turned out to be faulty. The computer is booting now.

Before i booted all the way , i ran ePSA diagnostics just to be sure that there weren't any other faults.

I got the following error when the hard drive was being tested. 2000-0142 self test failure or something.

I booted all the way and the laptop seems to be working fine and the hard drive data is all there and the hard drive is functioning normally. I wonder then why the self test failure occurred. Any insight would be helpful.

Thanks for bearing with me.

Hello WWW1992,

Since you have figured out that one of the memory modules is faulty, please consider replacing it.

The error code 2000-0142 means the hard drive self-test failed and the hard drive needs to be replaced. Since the system is still booting into Windows, I would request you to back up all your data immediately. The hard drive might crash any time.

Does the computer have an active warranty? You can check the warranty status here. In case of expired warranty scenario, we would not be able to extend warranty entitled services. If the warranty on the computer has expired, you may contact our Expired Warranty Services (this is for US based customers).

Please write back for further questions.

Dear Allan D,

Thanks for the tip considering the memory/ram modules! I had the same problem with my Acer Aspire 6935G, but your idea worked for me too! 

After a bigstorm, the power went out with my laptop still in the powersocket. I think that that may have killed it.

It didn't do anything, but after I took one ramstick out it booted fine! You're a lifesaver :)

Thanks a million!

I have a dell inspiron n5110, it has the following specs: (2 years since purchse)

core i7

6GB b of RAM

nvidia 525 gt graphics card / 1gb dedicated

Windows 7 64 bit

640 GB HDD

The laptop was working fine yesterday and when i went to sleep i properly turned it off without any errors occurring. Today when i turned it on:-

-the power button turns on

-the three support buttons on the top right corner of the laptop flash

-i can see battery and power notification lights but the hard drive light doesn't blink or turn on

-i can hear and in fact glimpse the fan working.

-the screen shows nothing, it isn't a black screen because that would imply that the screen still turns on but the screen remains off. 

-I hear no error beeps or any kind of booting sounds

-I should also probably mention that recently the AC adapter of the laptop wasn't working properly and i had part of its main connecting wires replaced while keeping the circuit board or main work board intact, and it worked fine after that but i am guessing the repair may have something to do with this new issue.

I have tried the hard reset or flea power method, hoping it would solve the problem but it hasn't work even after multiple attempts. The laptop is no longer under warranty and if the issue is dire and i suspect it is, i would have to send the computer to a dell support  and repair center and i have  heard maintenance and repair costs may be as much as the laptop's price depending on the nature of the fault. 

But at this moment, i have no idea what the fault is. 

Please suggest any faults that may cause such a situation and a suitable course of action for a solution.

Worked for me - thanks!

Hi, I have the same problem as WWW1992. I have a Dell Studio 1450 (Core 2 duo, 2 GB RAM) and it just won't boot after it crashed while playing a game and streaming music at the same time. When I try to turn it on only the power button lights up, there are no sounds or beeps except for, I think, the optical drive (just once), and the screen is blank. It doesn't seem to boot up. And when I press the power button it turns off immediately, unlike before when I have to hold it for a while (just like WWW1992's).

I tried your instruction to remove the memory sticks and when I powered it the computer beeped, which as you said eliminates the motherboard problem. Then I tried each stick at each slot but none of it booted my computer. Does this really mean it's a RAM problem? Do I have to replace my 2 sticks of memory then? Thanks.