Windows not loading, unable to start laptop

[Binaryx]

Dell Vostro 1520 notebook running Windows 7, worked fine around 2 years,
but today got problem: when tried power on, it not load windows, stay black
screen, and three active(On) indicators: numeric keypad icon(flashing),
caps lock and keylock symbols.
I tried unlock keyboard by by pressing keylock key, but this not help.
Laptop not load Windows, nor allow shut down it via pressing "Power"
button. I only can shut it down by unplugging power adapter jack.
Notebook was powered from AC power supply, as internal battery was removed.
I tried with installed battery, but as soon I swith the Power on, it just
shut down after second or so.
Is this hard disk problem, showing hard disk failure?

 

[Ken]

Dell Vostro 1520 notebook running Windows 7, worked fine around 2 years,
but today got problem: when tried power on, it not load windows, stay black
screen, and three active(On) indicators: numeric keypad icon(flashing),
caps lock and keylock symbols.
I tried unlock keyboard by by pressing keylock key, but this not help.
Laptop not load Windows, nor allow shut down it via pressing "Power"
button. I only can shut it down by unplugging power adapter jack.
Notebook was powered from AC power supply, as internal battery was removed.
I tried with installed battery, but as soon I swith the Power on, it just
shut down after second or so.
Is this hard disk problem, showing hard disk failure?

I cannot say definitively what your problem is, but here is what I
would do if the laptop were mine: Remove the RAM and clean the contacts
before reinstalling it. It is not uncommon for the contacts to fail in
contacting the connectors, and if they do, the computer will not start.
Use either a pencil eraser or a cotton swap and alcohol to clean the
RAM contacts.

 

[John Williamson]

Dell Vostro 1520 notebook running Windows 7, worked fine around 2 years,
but today got problem: when tried power on, it not load windows, stay black
screen, and three active(On) indicators: numeric keypad icon(flashing),
caps lock and keylock symbols.
I tried unlock keyboard by by pressing keylock key, but this not help.
Laptop not load Windows, nor allow shut down it via pressing "Power"
button. I only can shut it down by unplugging power adapter jack.
Notebook was powered from AC power supply, as internal battery was removed.
I tried with installed battery, but as soon I swith the Power on, it just
shut down after second or so.
Is this hard disk problem, showing hard disk failure?

Check the codes shown here:-

http://www.bay-wolf.com/portpostcodes.htm

It'll be a starting point, anyway. It looks like either a bad CPU or
motherboard, unfortunately, from your description.

 

[GlowingBlueMist]

Dell Vostro 1520 notebook running Windows 7, worked fine around 2 years,
but today got problem: when tried power on, it not load windows, stay black
screen, and three active(On) indicators: numeric keypad icon(flashing),
caps lock and keylock symbols.
I tried unlock keyboard by by pressing keylock key, but this not help.
Laptop not load Windows, nor allow shut down it via pressing "Power"
button. I only can shut it down by unplugging power adapter jack.
Notebook was powered from AC power supply, as internal battery was removed.
I tried with installed battery, but as soon I swith the Power on, it just
shut down after second or so.
Is this hard disk problem, showing hard disk failure?

My first look into a problem like you are describing is to grab one of
the Live Linux boot CD's and see if the system will come up using that.
If you are not able to make the system boot from the CD due to the
system not allowing you to use the right function key or gain access to
the BIOS then just plain unplug the hard drive and then try booting the
CD. Either way if the CD boots and the system comes up then the problem
is either just a plain corrupted version of Windows or the hard drive
itself.

If the system does boot using the Live Linux CD of your choice I would
then download and burn a copy of the hard drive manufacturers bootable
drive tester/fixer program and have a go with it. Should the drive
testing software report no problem then it's probably time to bite the
bullet and re-install windows.

You can download an ISO file of many versions of bootable Linux at:

http://livecdlist.com/

I'd suggest Puppy Linux as your first try since the download is small
and it usually can figure out the hardware enough to bring up most laptops.

 

[Binaryx]

My first look into a problem like you are describing is to grab one of
the Live Linux boot CD's and see if the system will come up using
that.
If you are not able to make the system boot from the CD due to the
system not allowing you to use the right function key or gain access
to the BIOS then just plain unplug the hard drive and then try booting
the CD. Either way if the CD boots and the system comes up then the
problem is either just a plain corrupted version of Windows or the
hard drive itself.

If the system does boot using the Live Linux CD of your choice I would
then download and burn a copy of the hard drive manufacturers bootable
drive tester/fixer program and have a go with it. Should the drive
testing software report no problem then it's probably time to bite the
bullet and re-install windows.

You can download an ISO file of many versions of bootable Linux at:

http://livecdlist.com/

I'd suggest Puppy Linux as your first try since the download is small
and it usually can figure out the hardware enough to bring up most
laptops.

-----------
I can no do this.
Notebook power on then off, just after a few seconds. No blue device status
lights shown anymore, no post. But at first time, when this failure
happens, the device status lights showed LED error Codes in a no-POST
situation, which was FLASH-ON-ON, which defined as possibly System board
error, according to pic.2 Service manual:

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/vos1520/en/sm/diags.htm?~file
=/systems/vos1520/en/sm/diags.htm

Is there chance that this can be CPU failure, not motherboard?
How to determine exact Motherboard model Part number? Is it possible find
it without dissasembling laptop? I am wondering how much cost new
motherboard? Notebook was very light used, only at home.

Regards

 

[John Williamson]

-----------
I can no do this.
Notebook power on then off, just after a few seconds. No blue device status
lights shown anymore, no post. But at first time, when this failure
happens, the device status lights showed LED error Codes in a no-POST
situation, which was FLASH-ON-ON, which defined as possibly System board
error, according to pic.2 Service manual:

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/vos1520/en/sm/diags.htm?~file
=/systems/vos1520/en/sm/diags.htm

Is there chance that this can be CPU failure, not motherboard?
How to determine exact Motherboard model Part number? Is it possible find
it without dissasembling laptop? I am wondering how much cost new
motherboard? Notebook was very light used, only at home.

The new motherboard plus labour for fitting it will probably cost more
than a replacement computer, unfortunately.

The fault code you got is one that tells you that the BIOS can't find
the processor.

Other sources suggest that you should try removing, cleaning the
contacts on, and reseating the RAM, and replacing the button cell which
you will find in the RAM access area. While doing this, take all
necessary anti-static precautions.
Instructions here:-

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1520/en/sm/coinbatt.htm

If doing this does not help, then you need a new motherboard, or to
contact someone who can replace the processor on your existing motherboard.

 

[Smiles]

Dell Vostro 1520 notebook running Windows 7, worked fine around 2 years,
but today got problem: when tried power on, it not load windows, stay black
screen, and three active(On) indicators: numeric keypad icon(flashing),
caps lock and keylock symbols.
I tried unlock keyboard by by pressing keylock key, but this not help.
Laptop not load Windows, nor allow shut down it via pressing "Power"
button. I only can shut it down by unplugging power adapter jack.
Notebook was powered from AC power supply, as internal battery was removed.
I tried with installed battery, but as soon I swith the Power on, it just
shut down after second or so.
Is this hard disk problem, showing hard disk failure?

memory serves me if you hold the D key down as you power up it will go
into diagnostic mode as long as cpu works

 

[Binaryx]

The new motherboard plus labour for fitting it will probably cost more
than a replacement computer, unfortunately.

The fault code you got is one that tells you that the BIOS can't find
the processor.

Other sources suggest that you should try removing, cleaning the
contacts on, and reseating the RAM, and replacing the button cell
which you will find in the RAM access area. While doing this, take all
necessary anti-static precautions.
Instructions here:-

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1520/en/sm/coinbatt.ht
m

If doing this does not help, then you need a new motherboard, or to
contact someone who can replace the processor on your existing
motherboard.

-------------


I just shown notebook to repair service for quick advice, and he assumed
that it can be Northern Bridge faults, they can replace Northern Bridge,
but cost is not much different from new motherboard. He also tried to pull
out RAM then insert it back, but this not changed anything.

Regards

 

[Unk]

Dell Vostro 1520 notebook running Windows 7, worked fine around 2 years,
but today got problem: when tried power on, it not load windows, stay black
screen, and three active(On) indicators: numeric keypad icon(flashing),
caps lock and keylock symbols.
I tried unlock keyboard by by pressing keylock key, but this not help.
Laptop not load Windows, nor allow shut down it via pressing "Power"
button. I only can shut it down by unplugging power adapter jack.
Notebook was powered from AC power supply, as internal battery was removed.
I tried with installed battery, but as soon I swith the Power on, it just
shut down after second or so.
Is this hard disk problem, showing hard disk failure?

It's not completing the BIOS Power On Self Test.

Check to see if it's still under warranty first. Use the Service Tag on the bottom of the laptop
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/my_systems_info/details


Is the fan starting when ypu press the power on? If yes, skip to #2 .
It probably overheated. If you're capable, disassemble and clean out the cooling system. Check
for 5v on the fan plug when you start it up. No fan voltage? Motherboard is probably damaged.


#2
Remove the AC adapter, all memory, main battery, Hard drive, CD-ROM, wireless card and CMOS
battery. (Everything removeable that could be shorted out preventing the BIOS POST)
Hold the Power-on switch for 60 seconds.

Plug in one stick of ram and the AC adapter and try to start.
Sometimes one of the memory BANKS go bad, not the memory. Put the stick of RAM in the other bank
and try again.. Still no? Remove the RAM and put the second one in and repeat test.


If it starts, replace another removed peripheral and retry until you find the bad one.

If you get this far and it still won't start, you'll need a repair shop.

Unk