Dell inspiron won't start up.

[harvey]

Hi Folks,

I've got a 5 yr old dell laptop that has died. I've bought a new one as it's needed for work but there are images/spreadsheets/invoices etc that i need to retrieve. It's recieving power from the mains adaptor but just won't boot up. I suspect it's something to do with the battery as it died months and months ago and has been on mains power only.

If i enter the f12 or f2 setup/boot menus the info on "battery" says "not inserted" (or something along those lines anyhow..)

I'm guessing a laptop won't boot if the battery is dead??

Should I but a new battery? (might be worthwhile as it means i don't have to ditch the thing, could ebay it..)

I havn't tried to boot it for 3 weeks and tried today and was amazed to be offered the battery calibaration menu!! Over-excited I abandoned the calibration and went straight for boot up... Nothing happened..

Your advice greatly appreciated. http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/images/icons/icon7.gif

[Jelly Bean]

Hello there.

 

Do you mean there is data on the dead laptop you need to retrive?

 

Use one of these the prices do variey on were you buy them:

 

Amazon.com: SimpleTech STIHD25USB2 SimpleDrive 2.5-Inch Hard Drive Enclosure USB 2.0: Electronics

[harvey]

Hi there.

Thanks so much for your reply. Ye's, I'd like to retrieve the data but 'd also like to be able to fire it up again. Is it likely that the dead battery is the reason is won't boot up?

Thanks.

Also, are you aware of a way I can enter the battery recalibration menu if this is the case?

[Jelly Bean]

A laptop or netbook would still power on with battery removed and power cord plugged in.

 

If the laptop fires up for a few seconds then dies or has no power at all it is possible it has died and would need a new mainboard fitted.

[harvey]

thanks jellybean..

Yes, the power stays on but it just won't boot. I've tried the f8 menu and selecting last working configuation but it just wont start up!! Is there anything i can try?

So grateful... thanks.

christian.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi christian, if you can get as far as selecting last known good configuration, even though nothing else happens, this at least proves the BIOS and perhaps very much else is working except the hard drive.

Or if the hard drive is working then the operating system is corrupt.

I suggest removing the hard drive now and connecting it to another computer via its USB port, there are simple adapters around fairly cheaply to allow you to do that, you just need to know whether the drive is SATA or IDE so as to get the correct adapter, also to make sure you get one suitable for the smaller laptop hard drives.

Once connected you can then retrieve the data if it hasn't become corrupted, providing of course that the drive itself is still working.

All of this will prove the drive is either OK or not. If it proves OK, it may just be a matter of reinstalling the operating system to get the laptop working again.

Don't bother about a new battery for it till you get that far, no point getting an expensive battery if the drive is duff.

Nev.

[harvey]

Nev, you are a star..

Thanks so much!!

I'll let you know how i get on.

Cheers!