Laptop screen won't switch on

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jbard

1377 posts

Uber Geek

#101348 29-Apr-2012 22:00

I am taking a look at a friends laptop trying to figure out what is wrong with it.

Basically when you switch it on nothing happens, the power and on lights come on also you can hear the hard drive and optical drive spin up. Fans come on but not as loud as usual boot.

Nothing happens on the screen and keyboard lights don't come on.

Have check hard drive and that is fine, also tried swapping RAM and that didn't help.

Also plugged in an external monitor but nothing happened.

Any ideas on what the problem could be or what I should do next?

Digmarx

139 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#617149 29-Apr-2012 22:10

Without knowing anything else, possibly a fault on the motherboard. Best take it in to a repair shop and let them have a look.

KevinL

656 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#617157 29-Apr-2012 22:37

What is the make/model of the laptop? Many laptops will give POST errors via a series of beeps or via the keyboard toggle LEDs.

jbard

1377 posts

Uber Geek

#617159 29-Apr-2012 22:38

KevinL: What is the make/model of the laptop? Many laptops will give POST errors via a series of beeps or via the keyboard toggle LEDs.

Toshiba Satellite, was thinking some sort of beeps but not getting anything.
Keyboard doesn't appear to get any power at all.

KevinL

656 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#617161 29-Apr-2012 22:42

Do you have a specific model number?

KevinL

656 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#617167 29-Apr-2012 22:58

Older Toshiba models use the DC-in light to display error messages through a series of blinks (which you then have to convert into hex - not an entirely straightforward method). If you google the model number and/or LED blink codes or maintenance manual, then you should be able to find more information about the specific error.

jbard

1377 posts

Uber Geek

#617168 29-Apr-2012 23:02

KevinL: Older Toshiba models use the DC-in light to display error messages through a series of blinks (which you then have to convert into hex - not an entirely straightforward method). If you google the model number and/or LED blink codes or maintenance manual, then you should be able to find more information about the specific error.

Hmm, DC in light wasn't blinking at all. This could be complicated by the fact the laptop doesn't have a battery so can only run off Mains.

Will find the specific model number and have a google though.

Thanks

gzt

17111 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#617177 29-Apr-2012 23:33

There's usually a hard reset button on the back. With no battery i doubt it will help you but worth a go.

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Ramjet007

319 posts

Ultimate Geek

#617201 30-Apr-2012 06:20

Try removing the battery and powering up. sometimes if a Battery is flat laptops wont start. Found this with HP and Tosh.

If it started you can plug the battety in for charging.