Vista will not start up.

[KenB]

Hi,

 

Do you have the installation CD in the drive ?

 

Have you set the BIOS to boot from the DVD CDROM as the first boot option ?

[Slumdog]

Yep, the installation cd is in.

How can I get to BIOS if I cannot do anything?

[KenB]

Accessing the BIOS is not related to the Hard Drive condition.

 

You should get something on screen immediately you switch on.

The machine will go through Power On Self Test .....nothing to do with the hard drive.

[ it uses a programmable chip on the motherboard ]

 

Do you see nothing at all on screen ?

[Slumdog]

absolutely nothing, it is totally black as though it isn't even switched on.

[KenB]

Hi again

 

Take a very close look at the screen.

Can you see any graphics - very faint in the background. ?

 

I am assuming that you did have screen graphics before you added the hard drive ?

 

Do you have a monitor that you can plug in to the laptop ?

[Slumdog]

The screen is as black as if it was switched off, no graphics, nothing.

I had no screen problems before I took the old hard drive out and replaced it with the new one, Then as soon as I tried to turn it on.....nothing. There are a couple of lights on the keyboard area, power etc. So power is getting through; and the disk whirrs around a bit.

 

I don't have any leads to plug the laptop into anything else.

[Slumdog]

Oh, I can't eject the disk either.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, when you took the old hard drive out, was it mounted in a frame of some sort and also was there an intermediate connector between the hard drive and the laptop connections?

Disconnect power and remove the battery, then remove the hard drive. With the hard drive out, replace the battery and power lead, then try the on button, you should at least get something on screen then as it may just be a problem with the new hard drive, or somehow you managed to connect it the wrong way round.

 

let us know if anything does come on screen with the hard drive out.

 

Nev.

[Slumdog]

Hi, it was in a frame that just slides in and out and is then screwed in to place. I just swapped them over exactly as it was.

 

I have tried what you advised, without the hard drive inserted, and got the same outcome.....nothing.

[KenB]

Hi

This is very strange.

 

Take the RAM modules out and switch on.

( they will be underneath a panel in the base of the machine )

 

If you get anything on screen now - put just one RAM module back in.

Try booting - if black screen - try the other module.

 

Out of interest ....if you still have a black screen ...try the old hard drive back in to see if it is still the same.

[Slumdog]

Still nothing I'm afraid!!!

 

One of the first things I tried was using the old hard drive........nothing.

 

Getting very worried now, seeing as I have forked out a lot of money for a new hard drive.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, while taking out and replacing the hard drive, how much did it involve in removing covers?

However many covers you have removed and replaced, take them off again and have a good look round to see if any wires or connections to other parts of the laptop are looking loose, not connected, or even if connected check them to make sure that they are fully connected. Considering that all you have done is remove and replace the hard drive, there is just the possibility something became disconnected while doing so. Also make sure the correct screws went back in the right places as some may be longer and shorting against something on the board underneath.

 

Nev.

[Slumdog]

I took 4 screws out, that is all.

It is a small compartment meant only for the hard drive. Two of the screws will not match up but the HD is secured in place.

There is no access to wires etc, undoing the screws does not uncover any parts of the laptop. It just releases the HD.

[KenB]

Can you possibly borrow a monitor and connect this up.

This will tell us if the problem lies with the video side of things.

 

Try taking the battery out and switch on using only the power supply.

 

Also try using the battery only.

 

You didn't swap the drives over with the machine switched on by any chance ?

[Slumdog]

Ok. Tried monitor, nothing.

Tried battery only, "

Tried power only, "

 

No, it wasn't switched on when I changed drives, both power and battery were disconnected.

[KenB]

This isn't looking good.

 

Have you tried this with the hard drive out.

Obviously it will not boot up - but you should get something on screen.

 

If this fails then it is looking like a motherboard problem.

[Slumdog]

What would cause a motherboard problem, because until I changed the hard drive, that was fine?

[KenB]

Changing the hard drive certainly wouldn't have caused a problem with the motherboard - if in fact the motherboard has a problem.

 

One other thing ...... the power supply / battery.

If the battery is low or not being charged and the power adapter is not supplying enough voltage you would not get anything on screen.

You may get LEDs lit as they take very little current.

 

You can check this with a Voltmeter if you have one.

The output voltage of the power adapter should be around 19v.

 

Take a look here -

 

Alternatively ask a friend or a local tech - he should do this for free as it only takes seconds ......but ask first :)

[Slumdog]

*You may get LEDs lit as they take very little current.

 

But the disk is also trying to run, this would take more power surely?

I'll find someone to test the voltage just in case.

[Slumdog]

Sorry for the delay in replying peoples, I have just been getting by using my tiny, travel laptop, as I am now still!!!

I will be paying a "pro" next week now that I have some money to do so.

I will let you know what they say/do.

Gutted that you guys couldn't help me, as you have done so well before. Especially Starbuck!

I really hope I haven't paid a lot of money for a new hard drive when it possibly wasn't needed.

Let you all know soon...................

Thanks for any previous help.

[KenB]

Gutted that you guys couldn't help me,

So are we Slumdog :(

 

The problem with laptops is that there is very little the average guy can do when they go wrong.

 

Let us know how things go.