How bizzarre. I removed the battery and left it for a few minutes. I then plugged the AC power cord, without the battery attached, and it has just sprung to life. It seems that maybe the install was interrupted through?? I am currently at the last stage of the install 'Transferring files, Settings and programs' and it seems to be progressing.
Will report back the results!!
Well it has got to 69% and the laptop has turned off again. The fan is running. No keys that I press are having any effect whatsover
Here is where I am:
After 69% screen turned off and left only the fan turning. I left it approx 1 hour before removing the power and attempting to reboot.
Plugged in another monitor to ensure it wasn't my creen - no change
Removed and reseated both of my memory chips - no change
Removed Bios battery - no change
One other website suggest removing the HD and formatting it. Putting it back in to the laptop before performing a clean install. This will not work either, as I cannot even get the dell screen.
I cannot believe nobody has ever seen this issue, ever.
I'm now searching for new laptops on line. Preferably with Windows 7
I had a similar situation, but found a slightly different solution by changing my video card temporarily:
Symptoms: After the 'welcome screen' I got a black screen with just the cursor (no My Computer icon). It would, however, let me run in Safe Mode w/networking.
I tried these fixes, in roughly this order:
1) Reset BIOS to default ...no change.
2) Tried Prevx Fix in Safe Mode ...no change.
3) Ran full virus scan in safe mode using Avast Antivirus ...returned one infected file [arg318495.exe or Win32:Crypt-MHR] MHR = Malware Hash Registry ...Successfully deleted, but still no change!
4) Removed recently installed video card, and replaced with old card. I do not believe the new card was a cause, but it prompted Windows to notice a hardware change, and ask for repair/restore selections during startup. After choosing 'system restore' my desktop loaded normally, and I switched the video cards again.
Reset the CMOS: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS
While in BIOS setup set SATA controller to AHCI to try install, set HD first to boot.
Now trigger DVD drive using Dell F12 key at boot. At first screen, press Shift + F10 to open a Command Box, run Diskpart Clean Command.
Close Command Box, click Install now, Custom Install, then at drive selection screen just click Next to let installer create and format your partition and begin install.
Follow these same steps to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
If this fails report back exactly what happens and at which step, any error message verbatim.
test your RAM - Test with Memtest86+ for 5-6 passes.
Take out all but 2gb to try install.
Test your HD with HD maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan.
Unfortunately I cannot even make the splash screen let alone enter the BIOS. When I turn on, the power light is in, and nothing else. I don't think the motherboard is kicking in, which suggests a power supply failure or moth8erboard failure. Not sure the install caused it, but somethings gone wrong big time. Def hardware
Remove battery and Ac adapter cord, hold down power button for 30 seconds to drain power. Leave battery unplugged, plug back in AC cord.
If that doesn't work, remove AC cord, hold power button down 30 seconds, then plug back in cord while holding power button.
If these steps fail, unplug cord, remove the memory, plug in cord, power up again to see if it beeps. Then power down, unplug cord, hold power button 30 seconds, replace memory, plug in cord and try again.
Hi All - Thanks for taking the time to respond to me. I need to summarise exactly what I have done
Currently, when I press the power button on my Laptop, the power light comes on and the dvd drive kicks in for a second then stops. The fan is not turning, the hard drive does not start, the screen remains blank. things I have tried:
Removing both of my memory boards and putting back. I have swapped both over, and also I have ran with only 1 board (1gb) in one slot (all combinations)
Removing the hard drive and booting
Removing the Cmos battery
Removing the keyboard
Trying an external moniotor
I have powered with and without the battery in, power cord only, I have also tried ensuring all capacitance in the systems has gone by powering on with no p[ower source connected.
Someone I work with suggests it is the Motherboard, as this needs to power before anything else start (BootLoader) etc. The W7 installation would have had nothing to do with it in his eyes.
I do not get any screen - Dell Splash, Bios, No beeps. I have ordered a Caddy to back up my files from my hardrive.
My next step was to contact Dell to see if they are able to trouble shoot. I believe there are some Dell diagnostic buttons that can be pressed upon initial power up - does any body have these?
Again, thanks everyine for your time
You can back up your files externally with the Win7 DVD or Repair CD using Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console,
or use Paragon rescue disk to recover data
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