Vista - Vista doesn't boot, no BIOS screen

12-11-2008

Last night I downloaded the files needed to run Microsoft Visual Web
Developer Express edition. There were a bunch of files, here is the link to
where I downloaded them. Everything downloaded fine and the installation
started fine. It seemed the installation was going to take awhile so I went
to bed.

When I woke up this morning my laptop won't load Vista. It turns on with a
black screen and nothing else, no BIOS, no loading bars, no cursor, nothing.
The computer doesn't even sound like it is trying to do anything and the
orange light that shows that that the computer is doing something won't even
give me one blink. Restarts don't change anything.

I downloaded a recovery disk and burned it. Put it in the laptop and still
nothing, except that the DVD/CD drive did start running. That only lasted 20
seconds until the computer returned to just sitting there w/ a black screen.

Checked to make sure I burned the disk correctly and saw the files were on
there, so I don't think that is my problem.

The only thing I did before I downloaded the files was install a preparation
tool to make sure I hadn't changed any settings in already installed programs
or applied any wrong updates. After running this program it said it didn't
find any of the files to correct or remove. (I wasn't surprised since I
didn't think I had any of the files installed, it was just a precaution).

Running Window Vista Home Premium (no Vista disk came w/ the computer)
Sony Vaio VGN-NR240E

Also saw a post about if you put the computer to sleep and wake it back up,
you should see something. Well, I can't even put the computer to sleep,
nothing works except the power button.

Sorry for the long post but I wanted to give the most information as
possible. I thank any of you for your help.

Shane

One more thing, after turning the computer on, I did try hitting F8 multiple
times thinking that maybe I could get something but it didn't work. Tried
with F12 and alt+F12.

12-11-2008

Sorry, my links didn't copy over.
The files I installed are found here:
http://www.microsoft.com/express/download/#webInstall

The preparation tool is here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

12-11-2008

SHANE wrote:

Quote:

> Last night I downloaded the files needed to run Microsoft Visual Web
> Developer Express edition. There were a bunch of files, here is the link
> to where I downloaded them. Everything downloaded fine and the
> installation started fine. It seemed the installation was going to take
> awhile so I went to bed.
>
> When I woke up this morning my laptop won't load Vista. It turns on with a
> black screen and nothing else, no BIOS, no loading bars, no cursor,
> nothing. The computer doesn't even sound like it is trying to do anything
> and the orange light that shows that that the computer is doing something
> won't even give me one blink. Restarts don't change anything.
>
> I downloaded a recovery disk and burned it. Put it in the laptop and still
> nothing, except that the DVD/CD drive did start running. That only lasted
> 20 seconds until the computer returned to just sitting there w/ a black
> screen.
>
> Checked to make sure I burned the disk correctly and saw the files were on
> there, so I don't think that is my problem.
>
> The only thing I did before I downloaded the files was install a
> preparation tool to make sure I hadn't changed any settings in already
> installed programs or applied any wrong updates. After running this
> program it said it didn't find any of the files to correct or remove. (I
> wasn't surprised since I didn't think I had any of the files installed, it
> was just a precaution).
>
> Running Window Vista Home Premium (no Vista disk came w/ the computer)
> Sony Vaio VGN-NR240E
>
> Also saw a post about if you put the computer to sleep and wake it back
> up, you should see something. Well, I can't even put the computer to
> sleep, nothing works except the power button.
>
> Sorry for the long post but I wanted to give the most information as
> possible. I thank any of you for your help.

Quote:

> One more thing, after turning the computer on, I did try hitting F8
> multiple times thinking that maybe I could get something but it didn't
> work. Tried with F12 and alt+F12.

Hi, Shane - If you are getting nothing at all when you turn on the computer,
you have hardware failure and the software you downloaded/installed was
coincidental to that failure. From your description (and thanks for being
so thorough), it sounds like the hard drive has died but of course other
components could be bad, too. Nothing you did in Windows would cause
physical hardware failure. If you want to test the hard drive and/or try to
retrieve data, pull it and put it in an external USB drive enclosure.
Attach to a working computer and see what you shall see.

Contact Sony tech support for repair/replacement.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

12-11-2008

If you want to test the hard drive and/or try to

Quote:

> retrieve data, pull it and put it in an external USB drive enclosure.
> Attach to a working computer and see what you shall see.

Are there different size enclosures for Laptop & Desktop hard drives?

12-11-2008

In article <522A1D6E-21BF-4D4A-BB9B-0B9723B75A4C@xxxxxx>,
SHANE <SHANE@xxxxxx> wrote:

Quote:

>
>When I woke up this morning my laptop won't load Vista. It turns on with a
>black screen and nothing else, no BIOS, no loading bars, no cursor, nothing.
>The computer doesn't even sound like it is trying to do anything and the
>orange light that shows that that the computer is doing something won't even
>give me one blink. Restarts don't change anything.
>

Unplug it, remove the battery, go do something for 15 minutes,
put the battery in, and turn it on. I've seen more than one laptop
get in some totally wierd state from trying to hardware suspend while
things were running.

12-11-2008

Quote:

> Unplug it, remove the battery, go do something for 15 minutes,
> put the battery in, and turn it on. I've seen more than one laptop
> get in some totally weird state from trying to hardware suspend while
> things were running.
>

I have tried that, even letting it sit for over an hour without the battery.
Have tried holding down the power button for 30 seconds.

The only thing I will try before contacting Sony or ordering one of the 2
products mentioned above is to replace the RAM that I installed about 2
months ago. Sony's site had a topic with my exact problem and they listed 8
steps to go through before contacting them. The RAM is the only thing on the
list that applies to me.

12-11-2008

On Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:19:01 -0800, SHANE
<SHANE@xxxxxx> wrote:

Quote:

>I have tried that, even letting it sit for over an hour without the battery.
>Have tried holding down the power button for 30 seconds.
>
>The only thing I will try before contacting Sony or ordering one of the 2
>products mentioned above is to replace the RAM that I installed about 2
>months ago. Sony's site had a topic with my exact problem and they listed 8
>steps to go through before contacting them. The RAM is the only thing on the
>list that applies to me.

Sounds like something fried - the only impact the install had on it
was that it caused it to run for an extended period of time, stressing
some marginal component.

Condolences... likely time for the service man.

12-11-2008

SHANE wrote:

Quote:

>> Unplug it, remove the battery, go do something for 15 minutes,
>> put the battery in, and turn it on. I've seen more than one laptop
>> get in some totally weird state from trying to hardware suspend while
>> things were running.
>>

>
> I have tried that, even letting it sit for over an hour without the battery.
> Have tried holding down the power button for 30 seconds.
>
> The only thing I will try before contacting Sony or ordering one of the 2
> products mentioned above is to replace the RAM that I installed about 2
> months ago. Sony's site had a topic with my exact problem and they listed 8
> steps to go through before contacting them. The RAM is the only thing on the
> list that applies to me.

Shane, if as you indicated, you are not getting even a BIOS screen at
boot, then you either have a corrupted BIOS or a hardware problem.
Suggest returning computer to manufacturer for diagnosis and repair.

12-11-2008

Thank you all for you help, I had no idea where to start and now at least I
have a direction to go. Sadly, the answers are leaning toward me being
without my computer for an extended period of time while Sony works on it.
Depending on if I will cancel my warranty by opening up my computer or not, I
would like to see about getting my data off my HD before sending it off.
Thanks for the posts telling me how to do that.

12-11-2008

In article <BM-dnfc8E670RdzUnZ2dnUVZ_t_inZ2d@xxxxxx>,
OldFart <oldfart@xxxxxx> wrote:

Quote:

>
>Shane, if as you indicated, you are not getting even a BIOS screen at
>boot, then you either have a corrupted BIOS or a hardware problem.

or a short in the battery, or a battery that's so drained the
charging circuits can't charge it AND start the thing up.

Fixing it could be as simple as removing the battery to reset
it and leaving it plugged in for a couple of hours.

Or starting it without the battery installed.

12-11-2008	#1 (permalink)
SHANE n/a posts	Vista doesn't boot, no BIOS screen Last night I downloaded the files needed to run Microsoft Visual Web Developer Express edition. There were a bunch of files, here is the link to where I downloaded them. Everything downloaded fine and the installation started fine. It seemed the installation was going to take awhile so I went to bed. When I woke up this morning my laptop won't load Vista. It turns on with a black screen and nothing else, no BIOS, no loading bars, no cursor, nothing. The computer doesn't even sound like it is trying to do anything and the orange light that shows that that the computer is doing something won't even give me one blink. Restarts don't change anything. I downloaded a recovery disk and burned it. Put it in the laptop and still nothing, except that the DVD/CD drive did start running. That only lasted 20 seconds until the computer returned to just sitting there w/ a black screen. Checked to make sure I burned the disk correctly and saw the files were on there, so I don't think that is my problem. The only thing I did before I downloaded the files was install a preparation tool to make sure I hadn't changed any settings in already installed programs or applied any wrong updates. After running this program it said it didn't find any of the files to correct or remove. (I wasn't surprised since I didn't think I had any of the files installed, it was just a precaution). Running Window Vista Home Premium (no Vista disk came w/ the computer) Sony Vaio VGN-NR240E Also saw a post about if you put the computer to sleep and wake it back up, you should see something. Well, I can't even put the computer to sleep, nothing works except the power button. Sorry for the long post but I wanted to give the most information as possible. I thank any of you for your help. Shane One more thing, after turning the computer on, I did try hitting F8 multiple times thinking that maybe I could get something but it didn't work. Tried with F12 and alt+F12.
My System Specs

12-11-2008	#2 (permalink)
SHANE n/a posts	RE: Vista doesn't boot, no BIOS screen Sorry, my links didn't copy over. The files I installed are found here: http://www.microsoft.com/express/download/#webInstall The preparation tool is here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
My System Specs

12-11-2008	#3 (permalink)
Malke n/a posts	Re: Vista doesn't boot, no BIOS screen SHANE wrote: Quote: > Last night I downloaded the files needed to run Microsoft Visual Web > Developer Express edition. There were a bunch of files, here is the link > to where I downloaded them. Everything downloaded fine and the > installation started fine. It seemed the installation was going to take > awhile so I went to bed. > > When I woke up this morning my laptop won't load Vista. It turns on with a > black screen and nothing else, no BIOS, no loading bars, no cursor, > nothing. The computer doesn't even sound like it is trying to do anything > and the orange light that shows that that the computer is doing something > won't even give me one blink. Restarts don't change anything. > > I downloaded a recovery disk and burned it. Put it in the laptop and still > nothing, except that the DVD/CD drive did start running. That only lasted > 20 seconds until the computer returned to just sitting there w/ a black > screen. > > Checked to make sure I burned the disk correctly and saw the files were on > there, so I don't think that is my problem. > > The only thing I did before I downloaded the files was install a > preparation tool to make sure I hadn't changed any settings in already > installed programs or applied any wrong updates. After running this > program it said it didn't find any of the files to correct or remove. (I > wasn't surprised since I didn't think I had any of the files installed, it > was just a precaution). > > Running Window Vista Home Premium (no Vista disk came w/ the computer) > Sony Vaio VGN-NR240E > > Also saw a post about if you put the computer to sleep and wake it back > up, you should see something. Well, I can't even put the computer to > sleep, nothing works except the power button. > > Sorry for the long post but I wanted to give the most information as > possible. I thank any of you for your help. Quote: > One more thing, after turning the computer on, I did try hitting F8 > multiple times thinking that maybe I could get something but it didn't > work. Tried with F12 and alt+F12. Hi, Shane - If you are getting nothing at all when you turn on the computer, you have hardware failure and the software you downloaded/installed was coincidental to that failure. From your description (and thanks for being so thorough), it sounds like the hard drive has died but of course other components could be bad, too. Nothing you did in Windows would cause physical hardware failure. If you want to test the hard drive and/or try to retrieve data, pull it and put it in an external USB drive enclosure. Attach to a working computer and see what you shall see. Contact Sony tech support for repair/replacement. Malke -- MS-MVP Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic! FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ
My System Specs

12-11-2008	#4 (permalink)
SHANE n/a posts	Re: Vista doesn't boot, no BIOS screen If you want to test the hard drive and/or try to Quote: > retrieve data, pull it and put it in an external USB drive enclosure. > Attach to a working computer and see what you shall see. Are there different size enclosures for Laptop & Desktop hard drives?
My System Specs

12-11-2008	#5 (permalink)
the wharf rat n/a posts	Re: Vista doesn't boot, no BIOS screen In article <522A1D6E-21BF-4D4A-BB9B-0B9723B75A4C@xxxxxx>, SHANE <SHANE@xxxxxx> wrote: Quote: > >When I woke up this morning my laptop won't load Vista. It turns on with a >black screen and nothing else, no BIOS, no loading bars, no cursor, nothing. >The computer doesn't even sound like it is trying to do anything and the >orange light that shows that that the computer is doing something won't even >give me one blink. Restarts don't change anything. > Unplug it, remove the battery, go do something for 15 minutes, put the battery in, and turn it on. I've seen more than one laptop get in some totally wierd state from trying to hardware suspend while things were running.
My System Specs

12-11-2008	#6 (permalink)
SHANE n/a posts	Re: Vista doesn't boot, no BIOS screen Quote: > Unplug it, remove the battery, go do something for 15 minutes, > put the battery in, and turn it on. I've seen more than one laptop > get in some totally weird state from trying to hardware suspend while > things were running. > I have tried that, even letting it sit for over an hour without the battery. Have tried holding down the power button for 30 seconds. The only thing I will try before contacting Sony or ordering one of the 2 products mentioned above is to replace the RAM that I installed about 2 months ago. Sony's site had a topic with my exact problem and they listed 8 steps to go through before contacting them. The RAM is the only thing on the list that applies to me.
My System Specs

12-11-2008	#7 (permalink)
+Bob+ n/a posts	Re: Vista doesn't boot, no BIOS screen On Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:19:01 -0800, SHANE <SHANE@xxxxxx> wrote: Quote: >I have tried that, even letting it sit for over an hour without the battery. >Have tried holding down the power button for 30 seconds. > >The only thing I will try before contacting Sony or ordering one of the 2 >products mentioned above is to replace the RAM that I installed about 2 >months ago. Sony's site had a topic with my exact problem and they listed 8 >steps to go through before contacting them. The RAM is the only thing on the >list that applies to me. Sounds like something fried - the only impact the install had on it was that it caused it to run for an extended period of time, stressing some marginal component. Condolences... likely time for the service man.
My System Specs

12-11-2008	#8 (permalink)
OldFart n/a posts	Re: Vista doesn't boot, no BIOS screen SHANE wrote: Quote: Quote: >> Unplug it, remove the battery, go do something for 15 minutes, >> put the battery in, and turn it on. I've seen more than one laptop >> get in some totally weird state from trying to hardware suspend while >> things were running. >> > > I have tried that, even letting it sit for over an hour without the battery. > Have tried holding down the power button for 30 seconds. > > The only thing I will try before contacting Sony or ordering one of the 2 > products mentioned above is to replace the RAM that I installed about 2 > months ago. Sony's site had a topic with my exact problem and they listed 8 > steps to go through before contacting them. The RAM is the only thing on the > list that applies to me. Shane, if as you indicated, you are not getting even a BIOS screen at boot, then you either have a corrupted BIOS or a hardware problem. Suggest returning computer to manufacturer for diagnosis and repair.
My System Specs

12-11-2008	#9 (permalink)
SHANE n/a posts	Re: Vista doesn't boot, no BIOS screen Thank you all for you help, I had no idea where to start and now at least I have a direction to go. Sadly, the answers are leaning toward me being without my computer for an extended period of time while Sony works on it. Depending on if I will cancel my warranty by opening up my computer or not, I would like to see about getting my data off my HD before sending it off. Thanks for the posts telling me how to do that.
My System Specs

12-11-2008	#10 (permalink)
the wharf rat n/a posts	Re: Vista doesn't boot, no BIOS screen In article <BM-dnfc8E670RdzUnZ2dnUVZ_t_inZ2d@xxxxxx>, OldFart <oldfart@xxxxxx> wrote: Quote: > >Shane, if as you indicated, you are not getting even a BIOS screen at >boot, then you either have a corrupted BIOS or a hardware problem. or a short in the battery, or a battery that's so drained the charging circuits can't charge it AND start the thing up. Fixing it could be as simple as removing the battery to reset it and leaving it plugged in for a couple of hours. Or starting it without the battery installed.
My System Specs

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