Travelmate 290 Problems- Help Requested

I've got a fairly old travelmate 290 that refuses to start, and I have no clue why. I'm hoping you guys can help me out.

Basically, when I hit the power button, the fans kick on and a couple lights turn on, but nothing happens- the screen remains blank. I don't even see the acer splash screen like usual. Also, I'm pretty sure that the hard drive isn't spinning as well.

I know the lcd isn't dead as I tried hooking it up to an external monitor, but that didn't work.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

Make sure the computer's RAM and CPU are seated properly.

 

Yes, first try re-seating those components especially the ram

 

RAM and CPU are seated correctly.

Also, I did manage to get the acer splash screen on for enough time to see windows load... but when I went to pull some files, the computer just shut itself off.

Any other ideas?

Thanks

 

It sounds like your fan may be dead. Check to see if it is plugged in, then when the computer boots up, check to see if the fan is running.

 

That's one amazingly quick reply. The fan spins up when I initially turn the computer on, however, I don't hear the hard drive spinning up. I first thought it was hard drive problem, but not being able to see the splash screen make me think different.

Thanks again for the quick responses.

 

I get automatic emails when threads I am subscribed to get new posts.

At this point you need to try things and experiment.
I would try taking out 1 ram stick and booting, then the other way around(if you have 2 ram sticks). Try taking out the hard drive and then booting.
Try getting into the bios.
It could be some strange motherboard issue because acer laptops are known for them.

 

so i've come to the conclusion that it is a mobo problem, that i'd rather not deal with. Luckily, I pulled the HD and was able to retrieve all the information.

Now, I'm off to get a refurbished studio 1555. Just need to get a coupon somehow. Ironically, they sent me a coupon for a printer.

Thanks again for the help!

 

Glad to hear you found a solution.
Good luck with a new laptop

 

Topic is a little bit old, but if it can help someone.
Travelmate 290 Serie has some problems when battery drain out in hibernation and BIOS get corrupted.

To reset BIOS in 290 Serie you don´t need to open whole notebook. Just open protection for RAM and under one RAM stick you will find a very little J1 contact. And just bridge that contact with screwdriver (or some metallic thing), and hold it stady for 10-20 sec.. This is BIOS reset in 290 Serie.