monitor won't work now wtf?!

Insipiron 5100 btw

So after i was having problems with overheating and such, i was reccommended to clean the heatsink. I did so and I assmebled everything back, and the monitor won't work. I went back and made sure everything was secure but still the same results. I tried plugging in my desktop monitor, but the monitor wouldn't even turn on. I tried moving the mouse,hitting keys etc.

do you think its the videocard and not the monitor that is messed up then? I did accidently take off the videocard because i wasn't sure what it was, but then i put it back to how it was.

I don't understand how I could mess it up? static electricity perhaps?

 

Are you sure your videocard is secure and everything?

 

1D10T error most likely. Something got screwed up when you put the laptop back together.

 

I will try reseating everything again perhaps. I mean, the laptop is running perfectly fine, just nothing shows up on the monitor.

Probably the videocard is the problem. The thing is I tried like 2 times already reseating it. I will try again though tommorow.

 

make sure all those cables are connected nice and good

 

Does it have a connector for an external monitor? If it does and you can get an external monitor working on it, you know it's not the video card.

 

yeah, i tried the extern monitor thing. no picture still. ok question. if you take out your ram, will your screen not load? can you guys try this one for me if you don't know?

also i am buying ram. it right now uses 200 Pin PC2100 DDR SODIMM. There are 2 slots.

Shouldn't any ram that is ddr and is 200 pin sodimm work? so http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145506 should work in my inspiron 5100 right?

 

If you take out the RAM, i'm sure you won't see anything on your screen.

 

hmm, interesting. well i'm thinking that my ram is busted and maybe since the ram isn't working, nothing is showing up on the screen. maybe its completely dead now?

i made sure the videocard was secure and still wasn't working. what do you think?

 

it's not the video card.

a computer will not boot or get thru POST without a recognized video card.

a computer will also not boot without any RAM.

if you think "busted ram" leads to no picture on the LCD, then i suggest you let a professional fix your computer (a shop or the manufacturer) and never take it apart again.

 

what do you think is the culprit then? if its not the videocard or the ram, then what is it?

Perhaps static shock messed something up? question. can compressed air produce static electricity?

 

in my experience, no. static electricity is possible though. did you properly ground yourself before taking on fixing your laptop (i.e. grabbing hold of a metal part of the laptop frame or using a grounding strap)?

if you had a warranty, you probably should have sent it in (even if cleaning the heatsink was recommended). now you have a busted laptop and have probably voided any warranty you had.

 

grounded myself most of the time, cant say i did all the time. i touched the metal casing, but didn't hold onto it(am i supposed to?)

nah, warranty has ended a long time ago. laptop is like 5 years old

but really, what do you think is broken? Wouldn't it make sense, that it is the videocard since i get no response on an external monitor? what else could it be?

 

Since you don't get a response from the external monitor, it means the laptop screen isn't the problem. Does it make any noise at all when you try to boot it?

 

yes. i can hear the fans going, i can hear the cdrive reading the current cd, the lights are on, all as if the computer is running fine how it is.

the fans go at different speeds depending where it is with setup. all i say is no video. i could just get another videocard and see for the heck of it...it would only cost like 15.

 

Good luck with it.
Sorry this turned into such a mess.

 

Try replacing the RAM...

Without RAM (or functional RAM), your PC won't boot up or even show anything on the screen.

 

Also check the device status leds or the lock leds (caps, scroll, num lock keys). If they are blinking and gave you a combination, its trying to tell you something...

 

Ok, I tried putting in new ram and still the same thing. interesting though, none the the 3 status led light up(the caps, scroll etc) yet the machine powers on. What do you think i shoudl do?

 

I was also thinking that he might of short-circuited it.

 

Can you access the BIOS at startup? If so... Check your bios configuration and see if your videocard is being detected.

I doub't you are seeing anything at all though lol.

 

nope can't access the bios. don't see anything even if i plug in an externanally through a monitor.

yeah, i agree, i probably short-circuited somehow with static electricity or something.

how much would it cost to repair, and would parts would be need to be replaced...like just the mobo or more?

 

It depends, you would have to find out what parts got fried. You can call Dell and claim that the laptop suddenly wouldn't boot up anymore and nothing shows, then send it for repair, they will probably replace the faulty video card.

It wont cost you anything if you try... that's if you are still withing the 1 year warranty. They'll probably service it for free.

 

well yeah, the warrenty is up.

do you still think I should call up dell for repair, or another place? I think bestbuy would be a terrible idea since they overcharge alot it seems.

also, would it be possible, for a place just to diagnose the problem with them replacing the parts to see how much it would cost?

 

If your laptop is five years old or so, it's probably not gonna be worth trying to fix the problem. You're gonna be better off just replacing it with a cheap insprion.

dordale

 

Trouble is, it would be hard to diagnose it without a monitor. You'd have to swap out parts, and I think Dell's video cards are proprietary so you'd need a Dell card. And it might be the RAM or motherboard instead that is bad. You're probably better off selling it for parts on ebay and buying yourself a new laptop.

 

Call dell and find out if you can extend your warranty.. make up a good story. Never tell them your laptop is malfunctioning.

You can also contact dell and tell them that media controls are not functioning correctly(should be cheap to replace) then send it to them for repair... when they get it...and find that the lcd wont turn on... they might think it was caused during transportation freight and fix it anyway at no charge to you... lol ok maybe i should stop now..

 

the warrenty is a good idea but wouldn't it be wierd to do that and 2 days later be like LOL uhh laptop isn't working help!!!11!

as for the media controls...uh I don't them on this model I don't think. like the play, pause buttons right?

And how I do know, its not the videocard that isn't working? I could probably just buy another videocard for 15 and replace it for the heck of it and see if thats the problem.

 

bump.......

 

If you can really get another video card that fits the laptop for only $15, you can try fixing it yourself. It's up to you if you want to try fixing it.

 

ok I installed the videocard and still have problems with no screen.

so it surely must be the motherboard that is the problem right?

I am thinking I just take it into bestbuy or something and get it fixed. Or maybe dell.

The thing is, I want to have it diagnosed first, and have them tell me an estimate of how much its going to cost before I commit to it, is that possible?

 

I don't think Best Buy would have parts for a Dell laptop, but you can ask them. I'm sure Dell could fix it for a price. I don't know if they do free estimates (I kind of doubt it). But you can call them up and ask (or try their online chat). Or maybe try PMing Dell C.A.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/member.php?u=36801

 

Thanks a bunch man, always appreciate your help.

 

Did you reseat the cpu properly (unlock & lock). See: http://www.danandsherree.com/2005/04/02/our_dell_inspiron_11.php