XPS m1210 won't start windows except on safe mode.

My XPS just went dead. After shutting it down, I can't start it now. It boots, loads windows, and then I get a blank black screen after "windows is loading". I recently formatted the device and upgraded the rams, but I doubt that has to do with anything. I used the laptop a few time after that and it was fine.

I tried turning it on/off a few times and it wouldn't work, except on safe mode. Once, I tried applying some pressure on the back of the laptop where the ram is, I suspected that something was loose. It started and was great. I tried again but it didn't work. Maybe something is loose, or maybe it was a coinsedence.

Any ideas? Appreciate any help.

 

Well, if you go through POST without a hitch, it isn't critical hardware problems. (your sound card may be fried, and you can go through BIOS, but that won't affect booting into Windows)

Are you running Vista? Vista has a special bootloader, and if you botch that in Windows (like I did a few times) your system will hang indefinitely. You have to use your boot disc - boot into your CD and click repair.

 

no, I'm running XP. It's working now. I think something might be loose cause it comes and goes.

 

I'd try doing a Repair install. Boot to a Windows CD and start going through it like you'd normally do for a clean install. Be careful to read all the options. I think it's when you hit the page that has you choose which partition to install to, chose your current install and hit R to repair. It'll recopy the system files without messing with your programs, documents, etc. Before you do this though, I'd open it back up and look at the new RAM you put in. First reseat it. Then try booting. If it doesn't go, put the old RAM back in if you stil have it and try booting. Try different configurations of the RAM just to rule out htat you don't have a bad stick somewhere. If all that fails, it's repair install time.

 

You upgraded the RAM? If you have a bad chip, Windows can get pissy when it finally loads data into those locations. Try removing the new memory and see if Windows loads. If so, you have a bad chip. You could also rum memtest86+ from a Linux boot disc, but if you can't even get into Windows, not much chance of making one of those.

 

Well if you can boot into safe mode, have you tried system restore (assuming you didn't turn it off)? It asks you whether you wish to do a system restore at the start of safe mode. Try a restore point when it previously booted fine. It maybe just software related.

 

interesting...

thus happens to me loads of times on my M1210 i just have to install a simple program and windows fails to boot .. numerous times of me booting to safe mode, fooling around etc.. eventually manages to boot up. i`m soo scared to reboot or shut down the comp - instead i just put it on hibernate

something tells me its all behind one driver (or two) i`ve ruled the nvidia card out.. lots more to try, i havent run the memtest program yet .. will get back to you if that goes through