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    Dell 1420 No Boots n Strange Freezes

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by TOM_C_A_T, Jun 17, 2009.

  1. TOM_C_A_T

    TOM_C_A_T Newbie

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    Hi,

    From 2-3 days a strange chain of problem has arised with my Dell Inspiron 1420 laptop, I use it heavily, and sometimes I keep it running for 3-4 days long. I has always workd very very nice, no temp (40-47degrees, ever), no hangs, no lags, nothing, nothing.

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

    Config:
    proc: intel c2d 1.83ghz
    mobo: Mobile Intel(R) PM965/GM965/GL960 santa rosa
    BIOS: Phoenix Technologies
    Video Adapter GeForce 8400M GS (256 MB)

    -------------------------
    1. At one time it was running normally. After 15 mins when I started to boot into XP, the screen showed horizontal lines, scrolling down, no further response. When I manually restarted it, it just started but strangely didn't even show splash screen of bios.

    2. I tried for 4-5 times, the HDD led was showing up once going off unlike regularly when it keeps blinking with hdd activity.

    3. So, I tried to remove HDD and fit again, and it started, FOR ONCE !

    4. Then the same problem arose with next reboot. NO BIOS SPLASH SCREEN.

    5. I cleaned heatsink, blowed the dust away, cleaned the ram modules, checked them individually, checked the hard disk, tried to boot the laptop with/without ac power adapter, checked fan, thermal compound, no progress.
    The splash screen just didn't show up.

    6. And at a time, when I checked it with a monitor with VGA out to check if there are some problems with Display, nothing happened.

    7. After that I restarted and it started, as if nothing happened.

    8. I kept it running for long, for approx 7 hours, when it froze again.

    9. It gave loud beep once, and one again after 30 sec approx, I think when I manually shut it down.

    10. It was hot more than usual.

    I have not started it again n rushed to forum, I doubt if some worse might happen.

    So, please,
    tell me your opinions,
    THANKS IN ADVANCE !!

    -----------------------------
     
    TOM_C_A_T, Jun 17, 2009
    #1
  2. moral hazard

    moral hazard Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    test your memory, maybe try memtest86 or some other way, borrow some ram from another laptop and test it with that ram.

    Also are you sure the fan is working, do you ever hear/see it on?

    otherwise it could be a motherboard issue or a video card problem.

    you may have some sort of dell diagnostics, run that if you can.


    also here are some beep codes that may be usefull:
    1 Short beep - System is operating normally.
    1 Long beep - Memory refresh circuitry has failed which indicates a problem with the motherboard. Try reseating the memory DIMM or SIMM modules. Make sure if you have added memory that it is rated at the correct speed for the system.
    1 Long 2 Short beeps - The video adapter has failed, or the video memory is having a read/write failure. Try reseating the video card. If the video card is a PCI video card, try moving it to another slot.
    1 Long 3 Short beeps - The system does not detect a monitor. Verify that the monitor cable is properly attached to the video card or the onboard video and to the monitor (if the monitor has a detachable cable). If possible, try another monitor on the system to verify that the video adapter is operating properly.
    2 or 3 beeps - There is a problem with the system’s memory. Reseat the memory DIMM or SIMM modules.
    4 beeps - This indicates a non-functional timer. This indicates a problem with the motherboard.
    5 beeps - This indicates a CPU (Central Processing Unit or processor) failure. Try reseating the processor.
    6 beeps - This indicates a keyboard controller failure. Try reseating the keyboard connector.
    7 beeps - Another indication of a processor problem. Reseat the processor.
    8 beeps - This indicates a video memory read/write failure. Reseat the video card (if any) and memory DIMM or SIMM modules.
    9 or 10 beeps - This indicates a ROM (Read-Only Memory) checksum error or shutdown register failure. This indicates a defective BIOS chip(s). Reseat the BIOS chips.
    11 beeps - Indicates an error in the cache memory. If the system has a Pentium class processor, reseat the processor. If the system has a cache memory module, try reseating it. These beep codes will vary depending on the system

    those may not be the same on your notebook though.
    look in your manual for some beep codes.
     
    moral hazard, Jun 28, 2009
    #2