Laptop not restarting after Screen Standby

Jog5000

New Member
Hi all
Last night I set my laptop so that the screen would be powered down after 5 minutes. All was good, it powered down. Then I tried to use my machine and nothing worked, moving the mouse, pushing escape, pushing the power button, nothing at all. The battery light and the power button light were both flashing slowly... this has never happened before (even with a dead battery, this has never happened)

So I removed the power cord and the battery, forcing shutdown. Replaced everything, and now it wont start, boot, nothing. Push the power button, hold it in, tap it a few times, nothing at all. No power, no lights, no sound.

Any clues!!

Packard Bell Easynote Limited edition. Power brick is working fine, tested it on one of my other machines.
 

My Computer

Welcome
Sorry that you are having problems

If you create a recovery DVD, you may be able to boot to recovery options
Create Recovery DVD

The Vista recovery disk is used to boot Vista when it won't boot - to run Startup Repair, System Restore, access a Command Line, Recover using a Vista Backup Image, etc.
System Recovery Options

If Vista will not start now, boot the Recovery CD to run Startup Repair which automates System Restore as well as numerous other tests including System File Checker which can repair system files which are not corrupted beyond repair.

If Vista still will not start, try booting into Safe Mode to run sfc /scannow to repair System files.
Special Thanks Given to Seven Forums.

Below is a bulletin distributed by MS to explain the start up procedure when Windows will not boot.
  • Startup Repair. Startup Repair is a Windows recovery tool that can fix certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files, that might prevent Windows from starting. Startup Repair is located on the System Recovery Options menu, which is on the Windows Vista installation disc. If your computer has preinstalled recovery options, it might also be stored on your computer's hard disk. For more information, see Startup Repair: frequently asked questions and What are the system recovery options in Windows Vista? If your computer does not include Startup Repair, your computer manufacturer might have customized or replaced the tool. Check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.
  • Change restart settings in safe mode. If your computer is stuck in a loop where Windows fails, attempts to restart, and then fails again repeatedly, restart your computer in safe mode and select the Disable automatic restart on system failure checkbox. For more information, see Advanced startup options (including safe mode).
  • Reinstall. If no other options have solved the problem, and you are sure that your computer's hardware is functioning normally, you might need to reinstall Windows. A custom (clean) installation of Windows will permanently delete all of the files on your computer and reinstall Windows, so only use this option if all other recovery options have been unsuccessful. After the installation, you will need to reinstall your programs and restore your files from backup copies. For more information, see Installing and reinstalling Windows**.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
You arent understanding - there is absolutely no power at all - I can push the power button until I'm blue in the face and nothing happens. The computer does not turn on. AT ALL.
 

My Computer

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by "power brick", but if it means something listed by another name below, then skip any suggestion you replace this item since you appear to have confirmed it works using a different computer - but still do the various recommended tests involving it so we can rule out other possible causes (and to double-check things on the problem laptop).

Remove the battery, gently clean the leads with a tissue, and replace the battery securely and see if that makes any difference.

Of course, if you have another battery (a backup or one in another computer that is the same manufacturer, make, and model), try replacing the battery and see if that makes any difference.

When you push the power button, does anything at all happen? Are there any beeps or flashes on the screen, or noises like the hard drive spinning up or the CD drive spinning up, or the power supply fan turning on, or any lights whatsoever turning on or flashing? I know you said it is not turning on at all, but I want to be sure we mean the same thing when we say that. It seems like it did something at first and then went from partial failure at first (with some lights flashing in a way you'd never seen before) and then after some fiddlng around (which we all would have tried - so don't blame yourself), it went to complete failure which is where it now stands.

Try removing the AC adapter and see if you can start the laptop from the battery alone. If so, you have a bad adapter and need to replace it. If not, we've not really learned much because we don't know how much if any charge is contained in the battery.

Try removing the battery and just using the AC adapter and see if you can start the laptop that way. If so, the problem may be either the adapter or the battery (or the cabling between them). You will need to replace one or both - but I'm not sure how to determine which is the cause (or if both are problems). Replace one and if that doesn't work, then restore the first and replace the other and if that doesn't work, then replace both and that should do the trick. If that still doesn't work, then it is likely to be the cabling or the electronics between the devices - and for that you'll need to have it serviced by a professional computer hardware repair technician.

If that doesn't work, then unless you are VERY good with computers, laptops, and electronics (and have the right equipment and testers and access to replacement parts), I would suggest it's time to take it to a competent computer repair technician for service. Do NOT use Geek Squad or any place like that - find a true professional (or return it to the manufacturer for service). It could be something as simple as a defective power button (which even if "simple" is pretty much beyond most to repair). It could be a bad power supply or something as simple as a loose connection somewhere. It could also be something much more serious. It's very hard to tell with almost no information to go on.

I am, however, almost 100% certain it is a hardware and not a software problem. At any point in this process, especially once it reaches the stage of replacing parts, if you prefer not to be buying and testing different components and simply want to resolve the problem without further bother, just stop there and take it in for servicing.

I hope this helps and that it turns out to be something simple and easy (and inexpensive) to repair.

Good luck!
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inc. MP061 Inspiron E1705
    CPU
    2.00 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo 64 kilobyte primary memory
    Motherboard
    Board: Dell Inc. 0YD479 Bus Clock: 166 megahertz
    Memory
    2046 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM) [Di
    Sound Card
    SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (17.2"vis)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi HTS541616J9SA00 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, s/n SB2411SJGLLRMB, rev SB4OC74P, SMART Status: Healthy
    Case
    Chassis Serial Number: 5YK95C1
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech HID-compliant Cordless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    1958 Kbps download ; 754.8 Kbps upload
    Other Info
    Optiarc DVD+-RW AD-5540A ATA Device [CD-ROM drive]

    Dell AIO Printer A940

    Conexant HDA D110 MDC V.92 Modem

    6TO4 Adapter
    Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller
    Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter
    Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
    Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface

    Router Linksys / WRT54G -01
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