Small girl with a big problem!

[xgemgemx]

Hi all!

I have an acer Aspire 1360 laptop and it was running very slow then I tried turning it on today and it comes up acer screen then goes black with flashing white horizontal line top left of the screen.

 

I have absolutely no clue about computers and I was just wondering if anyone would be able to help me at all but in simple terms!

 

I have tried searching the forum but it all seems a bit technical for me! :confused:

 

I would very much appreciate any help given!

 

Thankyou in advance!

Gemma :D

[KenB]

Hi and welcome to ExTS :)

 

I must state now - I do not use Win 2K.

 

If you switch on and constantly tap F8 ( about once per second ) you should get the Advanced Startup Options.

If you do..

 

Select "Last Known Good Configuration".

 

If that doesn't do it - try "Safe Mode"

 

Let us know how you get on.

[xgemgemx]

Hi and thankyou :) And thanks for your response!

 

I think its actually windows xp sorry I really am an amateur!

 

I tried getting up the Advanced Startup Options but after Id tapped F8 a few times it started beeping everytime I pushed it?

 

And sorry again what is safe mode?

[KenB]

Hi,

what is safe mode?

This is a way of booting using minimal drivers etc. useful for diagnosing problems.

It would have been on the same list as "Last Good ..."

But you say you cannot access this.

 

If this is XP - do you have the original installation CD ( not recovery disks ).

It will look like this:

http://pcblogger.net/images/stories/tutorialimages/Windows_XP_FULL_CD.jpg

 

If you do it may be possible to do a Repair Installation - which will retain all of your data.

[xgemgemx]

Ah I see, unfortunately no I dont I only have the recovery discs :(

[KenB]

Can you confirm that you started tapping F8 immediately you switched on.

Please try one more time - tap the key a bit faster this time as there is only a small window to access the Advance Startup Options.

 

Do you know where the battery is located?

Sometimes it is at the back - sometimes underneath.

My Acer has panel underneath and a release slide to unlock the battery.

It will be a long narrow panel.

 

 

Take the battery out and try booting with just the Power Supply.

 

Do you get any writing before the Acer splash screen?

[xgemgemx]

Yes Ive tried a few times now tapping F8 and nothing..

 

I took the battery out like you said but the laptop wouldnt power on at all without it

 

And no it literally comes on the acer screen then once the bar has loaded at the bottom it goes onto the black screen and stays there.

 

On the acer screen it say press F2 to enter set up and F12 to display boot menu, I dont know if any of this helps?

[KenB]

Sorry - got distracted.

 

Without the battery the laptop does not run at all???

 

Is the AC adapter showing an LED lit ?

Does the laptop have a power LED lit ? ( with the adapter plugged in )

 

Try disconnecting the AC Adapter and run on just the battery. Does it boot now?

[xgemgemx]

Thats ok!

No it doesnt turn on at all without the battery..

Really sorry, what is the AC adapter? Is it the "charger"?

[KenB]

What is the AC adapter? Is it the "charger"?

Yes

[xgemgemx]

Ok it does the same thing whether its plugged in or not the LED light is on on the adapter and the laptop too

(Thankyou for your patience by the way!)

[KenB]

(Thankyou for your patience by the way!)

No problem :)

 

OK - running on mains power only eliminates the battery ( sometimes they can short out internally and create problems ).

Running on battery alone eliminates the Mains adapter ( charger ).

 

You cannot access Advance Startup ( F8 ).

This would have at least, let us try a couple of options.

 

I am thinking that there are limited options left open to us - other than to try the Recovery Disks.

This will return the Operating System to the condition it was in when the machine was bought - you will lose all data, files etc.

 

There is a way to get access to your files etc.

It involves taking the hard drive out of the machine and connecting it to another one.

It is relatively easy ( no more difficult than taking out the battery ).

 

Do you have files / data that you need to recover from the drive?

[xgemgemx]

Ok I really appreciate your help :)

 

No I dont have anything over important on there really, Im just glad Ive got this one I can use!

[KenB]

OK.

 

One more thing to try before you pop in the recovery disks:

 

You have two panels underneath the laptop.

One of the contains the RAM modules.

See here - page 18

ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/notebook/aspire_1360/manual/as1360-uk.pdf

Try taking the panel off ( you will need a small x head screwdriver )

The RAM cartridge should raise if you flip the lever.

 

Take both modules out and switch on.

It will not boot - but I am hoping for a different result to the black screen.

 

Switch off.

Try putting just one module in. ( no need to put the cover back ).

Push the Ram back into position.

 

Try booting.

If still the same - swap the modules over - and try booting again.