Dell Inspiron laptop will not boot up - any helpful suggestions?
May 16, 2020 07:04:32 #
When starting my Dell Inspiron laptop it shows the Dell logo and a small circle of flashing lights. Then the screen goes dark for a while, then the logo reappears. Then it repeats.
I called Dell support. They say it's a software problem. They will fix it for $99 but all data will probably be lost.
Any thoughts/suggestions? Should I try the Geek Squad? Is there anything I could try myself? I looked online but couldn't find anything useful. Would really appreciate some guidance on how to proceed.
P.S. I have most of the data backed up, including all of my photos, which are on an external drive.
I called Dell support. They say it's a software problem. They will fix it for $99 but all data will probably be lost.
Any thoughts/suggestions? Should I try the Geek Squad? Is there anything I could try myself? I looked online but couldn't find anything useful. Would really appreciate some guidance on how to proceed.
P.S. I have most of the data backed up, including all of my photos, which are on an external drive.
May 16, 2020 07:27:14 #
One thing you can try . Unplug the laptop from the 110 v . Remove the battery if possible , then push the start button for a few seconds . If the laptop has a built in battery , you will have to try to let it start and just wait until the battery ruins down and it shuts off by it's self . I have to do this once in a while with one of my laptops . It makes it do a reset . It's worth a try before you decide to pay someone to look at it . Tom's Computer Repair
May 16, 2020 07:37:34 #
Hold down the power button for about 15 seconds while it is doing that will force a shutdown. Restart. If no luck there are f keys you can hold while starting to force safe mode, but you'd have to Google safe mode to see if you want to risk rummaging around in there.
May 16, 2020 08:10:20 #
I had a similar problem with my Toshiba after upgrading to Windows 10 and nothing helped. I went into safe mode and let them fix it and the price was $130. If it is a software problem most of the normal fixes don't work but it doesn't hurt to try them!
May 16, 2020 12:04:33 #
Thank you all for your replies. I had read about removing the battery but it's not very accessible. Hadn't thought about just letting it run down! Tried that this morning. Somewhere along the line the computer sounded all kinds of alarms and showed an error code that according to the Dell website means "Replace Hard Drive". Go figure.....
May 17, 2020 06:48:22 #
John Sh
Loc: Toronto, Australia
This sort of problem is often caused by the memory chip. Remove it and clean the contacts lightly with a pencil eraser replace it and try again.
May 17, 2020 09:01:03 #
dpfoto
Loc: Cape Coral, FL
Forget the Geek Squad. They don't know their butts from a hole in the ground.
May 17, 2020 09:46:38 #
May 17, 2020 09:46:56 #
dpfoto wrote:
Forget the Geek Squad. They don't know their butts from a hole in the ground.
If you need professional help, ask around about a local computer shop, although they're probably closed.
May 17, 2020 09:58:24 #
I would create a "rescue disk/usb boot disk" enter bios change the boot order to usb then reboot. Once up and running in safe mode run scan disk on the C drive. The Dell web site has lots of help for this problem including step by step instructions.
May 17, 2020 10:23:51 #
John Sh wrote:
This sort of problem is often caused by the memory chip. Remove it and clean the contacts lightly with a pencil eraser replace it and try again.
Thanks; I might try that once I pump up my confidence enough to open up the laptop!
May 17, 2020 10:25:45 #
dpfoto wrote:
Forget the Geek Squad. They don't know their butts from a hole in the ground.
Your comment supports suspicions I've had!
May 17, 2020 10:38:30 #
Thanks Jerry, that looks like a good reference for future use. But right now I can't do this because the computer won't boot up.....
May 17, 2020 10:47:25 #
jerryc41 wrote:
If you need professional help, ask around about a local computer shop, although they're probably closed.
If you need professional help, ask around about a local computer shop, although they're probably closed.
I checked with one store. $250 for labor to replace drive, load in Windows 10, and try to recover data from old drive. $150 for the new drive. Seems like a lot....
If I learn enough, and get my confidence up, I might try replacing the drive myself. I am worried about loading in a new Windows 10, though. Seems like I heard that that could be a hassle.
May 17, 2020 10:56:16 #
unlucky2 wrote:
I would create a "rescue disk/usb boot disk" enter bios change the boot order to usb then reboot. Once up and running in safe mode run scan disk on the C drive. The Dell web site has lots of help for this problem including step by step instructions.
That sounds interesting. I guess I should have created a "rescue disk" before. I assumed it was too late now. I will go back to the Dell website. Thanks!
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