Boot fail - Dell Studio 1537

Hi Janyk,

Lets' try the following steps:

Drain the residual power from the laptop:

• Disconnect any external peripherals (flash drives, printers, external hard drives) from the computer
• Then remove the adapter
• Remove the battery
• Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds
• Reconnect the battery and the adapter
• Try to restart the computer and check

I would recommend you to try to run the on-board diagnostics:

• Power off the computer
• Press and hold the 'Fn' key, while the button is pressed and held, press the power button
• This should initiate the diagnostics
• Please refer to the link if any error code shows up http://dell.to/OUGnqT

Please reply with the findings.

Hi Appu S,

Thanks  for your advice.

1. Draining the residual power from Laptop didn't make any difference

2. On-Board diagnostics didn't give me any written message, but as I was holding 'Fn' key while booting 'Volume Down light' started blinking as well. So after this I had a blank screen with blinking cursor, Num Lock light on, Volume Down light blinking.

Unfortunately I couln't find out what this means on Dell.com or in Studio 1537 manual.

Janyk

Hi Janyk,

Thank you for the response. The flashing lights sequence indicates that the issue could be with the memory modules. I would recommend you to reseat the memory modules of the computer (if you are comfortable). If there are two modules installed, then remove both of them and test the system with only one module.

Note: Before removing the parts, please ensure that all peripherals (flash drives, printers, external hard drives) are disconnected; battery is removed and AC Adapter is unplugged from the computer.

Here are the steps:

• Loosen the seven captive screws securing the panel to the system
  
  
   
• Lift the panel up and away from the system
  
  
  
  
• Remove the access panel
  
  
  
  
• Gently pry the memory securing clips away from the memory module
  
  
  
  
  
• Pull the memory away from the memory slot
  
  
  
  
• Remove the memory module from the system
  
  
  
  
• Repeat with the second memory module (if available)
  
  
  
  
• Reverse the previous steps to replace the memory

You may refer to the video for the flashing lights sequence:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=JmlJGb1ud_0

Hope this helps. Please reply if you have any questions.

hi all, 

I have a similar issue with dell 1537. only the hard drive light comes on for few seconds and all goes dead. nothing on the display either. 

the lights on the top of the keyboard start from left to right in a series and then right to left and then it goes all black. 

I have tried the steps to check the memory with 1 dimm and also taking the battery out etc. any suggestions what could the issue be?

Hi. You might have a problem with hard drive inside your 1537. Try following steps: 1. Remove battery 2. Unplug power cord 3. Unplug hard drive 4. Plug power cable and start your laptop If you get an message at start up about missing hard drive, it probably means, that you just need to replace broken drive to solve the issue. Same happened to me before and after the replacement my laptop started to work fine again. Hope this will help you. Regards, Janyk

Hi Janyk,

Thanks. Tried that as well but no luck. Nothing on the screen at all. Does it sound like the motherboard has fried? Hard drive light just comes up for a sec and goes off. Nothng on the screen at all. I do hear the CD drive trying to read once i hit the power button but thats the end of it.

Hi akdelluser,

Appreciate what you have done so many things to fix the issue. You have also followed the steps mentioned by janyk by still no go. This seems to be an issue with the motherboard.

Request you to use the below link and check warranty status:

http://dell.to/130U8oC

If the computer is in warranty do send me the system service tag via private message. I will check and let you know what needs to be done.

To send a private message, click on my user name and select start conversation.