Laptop screen black on start-up

[Sue]

Can anybody help with my OH's laptop problem?

On start-up, light is coming on etc but screen is black.

I don't have a separate monitor to connect his laptop to. Is there any way I can connect it to my laptop so that his display is shown on my laptop's screen?

Trying to eliminate possible causes of the problem.

Have tried F8 to start in safe mode but that hasn't worked.

Thanks.

[Otta]

I had this with my old laptop. Basically the screen was dead, or more to the point, a connection with the screen was out of place, as when I "bent" the screen towards me, it worked, but only if held in that precise position, which was basically impossible.

[Otta]

First thing I'd do is take it to a mate's who has a monitor and plug it in to that, just to be sure the actual computer side of it is working. At least that way you know all your data is safe and sound.

[Sue]

Thanks Otta, trying to but he's out :))

Not sure if I could use my TV screen.

I also once had the same problem, and it was the backlight that had failed. OH has tried shining a torch on the screen, but there is no sign of any display :(

Edited again to say: Got someone looking at it now ....

[right-clicking]

Have you tried the Ctrl+Alt+delete command? If its a hardware issue then nothing will appear to happen if it's a software issue you might get to see the splash screen, If so boot into safe mode and go to device manager and see if you have any yellow flags!

Right-Clicking

[shaman]

What make of laptop is it and age ?

[DulwichFox]

This is the first procedure to try...

Unplug the power, remove the battery and then hold the power button for 30 to 60 seconds.

Re-insert battery..

Then reattach the power and attempt a boot.

But presumably if someone is taking a look hopefully all will be ok..

fox

[Sue]

Right-clicking, yes one of the first things tried (by me) and nothing happened.

Dulwich Fox, ditto.

Someone looking at it and it isn't looking good at the moment.

Shaman it's an HP, not sure of model as it isn't here at the moment, not sure of exact age, maybe five years? He can't afford to replace it. I had to buy it to replace one I spilled wine over whilst DJing :(

[DulwichFox]

My Toshiba is 8+ years young and still going well. (Quickly locates wood to touch)

They are built like battle ships and very heavy.

It is not my main laptop but keep it all up to date as it runs XP and it is good for reference when repairing other PCs /Laptops

Had my Sony VA10 for a few years now... Not had any real problems.

Resisting all temptation to Update Windows 8. It is a pile of crap.

?50.00 to upgrade from Windows 7 (another pile of crap)

Windows 8 is just a Front End to Windows 7. to make it look pretty. It is not an Operating System a such.

Laptops should last for years if you look after them.

Fox.

[Sue]

Not sure what point you are making, Fox?

Laptops sometimes go wrong however well they are looked after, as does anything with components which may fail.

[Sue]

Just seen on an email from the person kindly looking at it that it's an HP 6735s

[DulwichFox]

Sue Wrote:

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> Not sure what point you are making, Fox?

>

> Laptops sometimes go wrong however well they are

> looked after, as does anything with components

> which may fail.

Was not trying to make a point.

Just saying that if you look after your laptop it should last for years.

Components usually fail soon after purchase. That is why Extended guarantees are offered.

Retailers know that if a device does not fail in the first year. (Under Warranty)

it is unlikly to fail in the next 2-3 years.

People are often not aware of some things that reduce the life of their machines.

They may well be aware that pouring your coffee over the keyboard is not a good idea.

But not aware that Smoking near your PC can Damage your Hard Drive.

Smoke particles are Larger than th gap between the Disk and the Read/Write Heads.

Same goes for Dust from 'Exhaust' from back end of vaccuum cleaners.

House hold Dust.

Mice.. stuck in motherboard fan.

Insects.

The term 'Bug' derives from one of the first computers ever built. An insect (Moth) got stuck in a relay and the computer crashed.

http://www.jamesshuggins.com/i/tek1/grace_hopper_h96566k_full.jpg

http://www.jamesshuggins.com/h/tek1/first_computer_bug_large.htm

Foxy

[right-clicking]

For the un-informed Windows 8 is a separate environment (run time) to run apps, primarily designed for a touch interface, the applications are cross-platform allowing themselves to be "installed" on all windows devices (phone,tablet and PC) They do not install as such but are executables contained in folder "sandboxed" (like a portable app) any full program on the start screen are short-cuts to the main environment/desktop. modern (the new interface) will run as a standalone o/s on a (surface) tablet.

The offer for Windows 8 is ?25 if downloaded!!!

Windows 8 will be the last major change from Microsoft, the Windows "Blue" (project) will follow a system similar to Apple and you will just receive cheap or free updates 8.1, 8.2 Etc

I have been running all 3 builds of windows 8 (developers, release preview and consumers preview) prior to the finished product, It is faster and more secure than any other windows.

Sue Is there any vestige of an image on the screen?, grab a torch and look closely, if you can make out anything then your screen inverter has given up the ghost!

Does the laptop beep? If so write down the sequence as these are interpretable for diagnostic purposes.

You say the light is on, is the fan running? look at the two or three lights if these are flashing then this will show that there is some hard disk activity.

right-clicking

[DulwichFox]

Yes all looks very pretty..

I was brought up on Digital Equipment Corporation DEC's VAX/VMS with Green screen monitors

To me having Icons on a screen is a bit revolutionary. :)

Fox

[Sue]

It appears that it could be a problem with one of the graphics units, which is evidently a known defect with this model.

ETA: I don't have the laptop here, it is with the person who is looking at it who has been noting various diagnostic signs, but thanks everybody.

ETA: Fox. My OH neither smokes nor has spilt anything on his laptop. And maybe most manufacturing faults may show up during the warranty period, but it is just not true that all of them necessarily will.

[DulwichFox]

My comments are not aimed at anyone. They are general comments.

Like all my comments here.

I try to avoid 'Personal' conflict.

I try to help people with any Technical problems they may experience.

And any other things I can help with.

Any negative opinions are never pointed at any idividual but may at times be pointed at

establishments where there is a level of under performing.

Fox

[DJKillaQueen]

To be fair Fox....some components have their own shelf lives (although most I agree should last long beyond the point of upgrade).

Over the years I've lost count of all the screens, fans, power units, cards etc that I've replaced. My computers last a long time because I know how to fix them.....not because they have been free from accident, usage or abuse, or even the odd worm or trojan slipping through.

[Huguenot]

I suspect Fox is simply sharing his worldview, any correlation between that and the real world is purely coincidental! ;-)

[DulwichFox]

Huguenot Wrote:

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> I suspect Fox is simply sharing his worldview, any

> correlation between that and the real world is

> purely coincidental! ;-)

Pinch of salt taken...

Coincidence is a factor of the Real World.

Like it must be coincidental that some people have more than their fair share of computer problems.

Like it must be coincidental that some people have more than their fair share of bad restuarant experiences.

Like it must be coincidental that some people have more than their fair share of their car being damaged.

Like it must be coincidental that some people have more than their fair share of critisim.

Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Fox.

[*Bob*]

So Sue - to summarize: it's your own fault.

[Voyageur]

Hope you get it resolved Sue. My old Dell laptop has died but I hate it so much I am not going to bother getting it mended.

Re Windows8, as a relative luddite I quite like it. It takes a day or so to get used to it and to personalise the start page to work for you but it does seem quicker and easier than previous versions now I have done that.

[Sue]

*Bob* Wrote:

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> So Sue - to summarize: it's your own fault.

xxxxxx

Yeh. And it isn't even my laptop!

Bizarre :))