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32 Posts
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33914
January 11th, 2015 06:00
Problems with Start Up Black Screen No Boot
Dell Inspiron 7720 (17R SE) approx 2 years old, just started having problems about a week ago when turning on the computer. LEDs flash and dell quickset buttons light up; but then process just dies, screen is black and only the LEDs by the power symbol and on power buttons are lit, never reaches the Dell logo screen, no fan sounds or anything.
At first, hitting the power button to turn off then back on and the second time the boot process would work. Then it failed to do that, so I had to remove the battery, pull the power cord and hold the power button down for 30 sec's, and then it would boot normal. Now even that does not work, just have to keep powering down and re-powering and after a random number of times, 10-30 it finally boots normal, every once in while it will work first try. It seems to be getting worse.
I have used the Dell Diagnostic on boot (though it took many tries to get into the ePSA, that did not detect any problems. When I use the Dell Support Advanced, no problems detected, and I specifically rand the Motherboard (which included CMOS test) and those did not find any problems.
If I put the computer in sleep, it comes back fine. It is only when I shut down, laptop just will not boot until I hit power on (fail) / power off repeatedly until finally, as if by luck it works fine.
Mary G
4 Operator
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20.1K Posts
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January 11th, 2015 08:00
Did you run the Custom Diagnostics on the hard drive? The regular Diagnostics runs only a quick test and doesn't test the whole drive. Do you have recovery disks you can use to boot? Is the battery working OK? Check Quickset for Battery info. Remove the battery and leave it out use just the adapter and see if that works OK. After 2 years you might need a new battery. If you don't need the mobility, use the adapter alone and save the expense of replacing the battery.
To get into the diagnostics quicker, tap F12 as soon as you reboot without waiting for any screen. Keep tapping until you see the Boot Menu.
VinOth_VingO
2 Intern
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285 Posts
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January 11th, 2015 08:00
Hi,
i would suggest to you, Install fresh operating system (Clean Installation method).
Refer this link for Clean Installation,
windows.microsoft.com/.../clean-install
tjc
32 Posts
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January 11th, 2015 19:00
Quote " i would suggest to you, Install fresh operating system (Clean Installation method)."
Not sure why you would suggest this since the boot process never reaches the operating system. Fresh install is a lot of work, and I don't want to lose all my settings unless absolutely necessary. Is there any logic to your suggestion? Thanks,
tjc
32 Posts
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January 11th, 2015 19:00
I did the custom diagnostics using the F12 (like I said, it took many re-power boots to try and get it to run, but it finally ran) and said everything passes.
I have tried booting with the battery removed using power cord and it does not change anything in terms of intermittent boot up problem; some times it works after 10 power cycles, sometimes 20, once in a long while on first try.
Laptop runs fine on battery power once booted, and can even intermittent boot with just battery power, so I know it is not a worn battery or battery charging issue, and the CMOS part of motherboard check (which I assume checks the CMOS battery) comes back as pass.
Any other ideas? Thanks,
VinOth_VingO
2 Intern
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285 Posts
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January 13th, 2015 10:00
Hi,
i understood. But, i suggested that final step. If you want your backup files. Simply Load ubuntu operating system and select "Try Ubuntu without Installation". Once you get the desktop screen, go to My computer->choose whatever colon you get backup -> copy to external disk or device etc.,
tjc
32 Posts
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January 17th, 2015 06:00
Missing the point, this computer can eventually login fine, just takes numerous power up boot attempts. I do not need to boot to a separate disk. Just trying to find what is causing an intermittent startup.... which once started passes all diagnostics.
tjc
32 Posts
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January 24th, 2015 06:00
Does Dell Tech Support read these forums and offer any advice?:emotion-1: