Laptop won't boot

[heebeegeetee]

Hi all,

My Acer Travelmate 4150lmi won't boot up. When I switch it on it starts the process but then after 20 odd seconds of doing so, it just switches off. I dare say I've got a boot-up CD somewhere for it, but I'd lose the stuff that I haven't backed up .

Does anyone have any ideas that I could try before getting drastic?

[greenlandy]

I hate to say it but is the battery fully charged?
Don't reach for the restore cd's yet you might be able to do a repair.
It involves booting to the XP install cd and choicing the repair option!
Sorry if I'm being vague had to much whisky i'll give better advise in the morning just don't do a restore yet.

[Trooper2]

If when you start the machine it doesn't even make it to the BIOS screen (screen stays black) and it beeps at you, it is more than likely a hardware problem, if you get past the BIOS screen and don't make it to the Windows welcome screen then suspect a software problem or virus, Etc.

More info for you here:

http://ask-leo.com/my_computer_locks_

[thepassenger]

Aye not quite time for a rebuild yet
Does it do this 20s then shutdown with the power brick plugged in? Do any of the charging lights turn on when power is applied?

Got a monitor? If so bolt it on to the laptop and see if anything appears; try tapping which ever key squence makes it toggle between CRT/LCD (Fn+F8 on my Dell, but I don't belive there's a standard).

If their is a manual volume control (wheel type thing) flick all the way to full and see if the thing makes any noise.

[heebeegeetee]

Hi Guys,

I get a black screen with a full page message that says "We apologise for the inconvenience but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change..." etc etc. I am given a few options as to how to start, safe mode etc, but whatever I choose, after 20 odd seconds the laptop just switches off. There are no beeps. If I hold ctrl-alt-del I sometimes get one loud beep, so volume is there.

I guess my install and boot cds are in the packaging up in the loft (hopefully) so I'll get up there tonight and see what I've got.

Meantime, I can use all the help I can get.

[bez_uk]

I'd find your disks and go through the windows setup untill it gives you option of repair install (don't use recovery console, its awkward and never fixes anything for me!)

The repair install or standard install wont delete your data (only the fresh install).
However with standard install you WILL have to reinstall programs.

[greenlandy]

I'm soberish now how did you get on?

[heebeegeetee]

Late home from work and haven't managed to get up in the loft. I like the sound of Bez's suggestion, ie repair install. Got a stinking cold meself as well, so probably will have to leave it till tommorrow night.

[heebeegeetee]

Hi all,

After a week of trying my laptop won't boot up at all. Doesn't matter what disc I put in, its irrelevant 'cos the laptop just switches off before its able to read anything.

I have another query now, but that'll be another thread.