I'm using a Toshiba laptop and when I turn it on it posts (slowly) and then goes to the XP loading screen, afterwards it goes to a black screen and does nothing more. It will not boot into safe mode, and I've tried starting it with various startup options such "last settings that worked" and such. No new hardware has been installed or removed. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.
XP Boot to Black Screen
- Thread starter enothor
- Start date
kimsland
New Member
There are a few options on the Advanced Options Menu
Including:
Then once you're in, go to:
--------
If the above doesn't work either
Then you may need to run CheckDisk on your drive
Including:
Safe Mode- Safe Mode with Networking
- Safe Mode with Command Prompt
- Enable Boot Logging
- Enable VGA Mode
- Last Known Good Configuration
- Directory Service Restore Mode
- Debugging Mode
Then once you're in, go to:
- Start > Run > devmgmt.msc
- Click on the "+" sign on "Display Adapters"
- Right click on your expanded, display adapter
- Select "Uninstall" (it may say remove or delete)
- Restart normally, to Normal Mode
- Re-install your Display Adapter driver, ideally from your Manufacture driver support page
--------
If the above doesn't work either
Then you may need to run CheckDisk on your drive
- Boot (start) from your XP CD
- Select the first "R" prompt (for the "Recovery Console")
- Select the Administrator account, ie > "1"
- Now press Enter key
- (Probably no password for the account)
- Type in: chkdsk /r and then press enter
- Restart back to Normal Mode (also remove the XP CD)
kimsland
New Member
Same as above, but before putting the power cable (only) back in:
Unplug any externals (like external Mouse; Keyboard; Printer... so forth)
Under the laptop, locate the Ram cover (just unscrew the first cover)
Remove the cover then reseat the Ram card(s) (take them out and click them in again)
I'd also recommend doing this for the Hard Drive as well (its under the other cover)
Then plug in
Then turn on
That should work
Unplug any externals (like external Mouse; Keyboard; Printer... so forth)
Under the laptop, locate the Ram cover (just unscrew the first cover)
Remove the cover then reseat the Ram card(s) (take them out and click them in again)
I'd also recommend doing this for the Hard Drive as well (its under the other cover
)Then plug in
Then turn on
That should work
kimsland
New Member
I made a NO POST Guide here: http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic113137.html
But pretty sure we've done it all now
Please leave it unplugged for 20 mins (also hold the power ON button in again)
Reply back later, sorry, can't think what else just yet
But pretty sure we've done it all now
Please leave it unplugged for 20 mins (also hold the power ON button in again)
Reply back later, sorry, can't think what else just yet
kimsland
New Member
The button is located under the screen
It allows the screen to go into off or suspend mode, when closed (when you push the screen down)
By the way, I thought of another idea
Remove the Hard Drive all together (the laptop does not need the hard drive to turn on, and you are just tring to get it to POST)
Also try that Ram card reset again (ie remove them, blow out any dust, re insert them)
Actually if you have two ram cards installed, try one at a time
Note: everytime you do this, also hold the power ON button in for 30 secs before removing/installing internal hardware
After all this, please let me know the outcome
It allows the screen to go into off or suspend mode, when closed (when you push the screen down)
By the way, I thought of another idea
Remove the Hard Drive all together (the laptop does not need the hard drive to turn on, and you are just tring to get it to POST)
Also try that Ram card reset again (ie remove them, blow out any dust, re insert them)
Actually if you have two ram cards installed, try one at a time
Note: everytime you do this, also hold the power ON button in for 30 secs before removing/installing internal hardware
After all this, please let me know the outcome
kimsland
New Member
The Ram cards are securely pushed and clicked into place?
The hard drive is pushed in properly?
The power cord (adapter) is turned on at the wall?
Battery out?
Maybe just tap it a little underneath, maybe there's some dust across some electronics inside
At this stage it may be dismantle the laptop time
Under the keyboard, you should be able to locate the CPU, which can also be reseated (but then you'll need new heatsink paste for the cooler element
Yes its getting a concern
The hard drive is pushed in properly?
The power cord (adapter) is turned on at the wall?
Battery out?
Maybe just tap it a little underneath, maybe there's some dust across some electronics inside
At this stage it may be dismantle the laptop time
Under the keyboard, you should be able to locate the CPU, which can also be reseated (but then you'll need new heatsink paste for the cooler element
Yes its getting a concern
gamblingman
VIP Member
Toshiba
It wont do anything now, eh?
Have you dropped it recently, or done anything that might jar things, maybe kids playing with laptop? (no offense intended)
Any weird noises or smells from the laptop? Do you ever get a static shock from the laptop?
Before this all started did you see any error messages, a BSOD, a slow loading of OS or programs, slow POST'ing?
Have you had problems charging the batteries?
Do you have antivirus software; if so what manufacturer? How often do you scan your computer? How many infections would you estimate are found on a monthly basis?
Though it may be a BIOS infection, I highly doubt it. Most viruses today don't target BIOS. But knowing how often you scan and what you scan with will be good info.
I'm leaning toward a power supply problem. Have you plugged in anywhere that might be prone to spikes, surges, power outages?
When plugging in, you may want to consider checking the outlets for a problem. There is a little tool you can use to see if there are wiring problems at the socket. I use it before I plug in my laptop anyplace thats unfamiliar. Or take the chance of hearing "POP!", and the laptop is toast. You can buy them at home supply centers.
Learn about wiring testers here: http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/homemaintenance/electrical/outlettest.php
It wont do anything now, eh?
Have you dropped it recently, or done anything that might jar things, maybe kids playing with laptop? (no offense intended)
Any weird noises or smells from the laptop? Do you ever get a static shock from the laptop?
Before this all started did you see any error messages, a BSOD, a slow loading of OS or programs, slow POST'ing?
Have you had problems charging the batteries?
Do you have antivirus software; if so what manufacturer? How often do you scan your computer? How many infections would you estimate are found on a monthly basis?
Though it may be a BIOS infection, I highly doubt it. Most viruses today don't target BIOS. But knowing how often you scan and what you scan with will be good info.
I'm leaning toward a power supply problem. Have you plugged in anywhere that might be prone to spikes, surges, power outages?
When plugging in, you may want to consider checking the outlets for a problem. There is a little tool you can use to see if there are wiring problems at the socket. I use it before I plug in my laptop anyplace thats unfamiliar. Or take the chance of hearing "POP!", and the laptop is toast. You can buy them at home supply centers.
Learn about wiring testers here: http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/homemaintenance/electrical/outlettest.php
linkin
VIP Member
You could try removing the CMOS battery and holding the power button (unplugged and without the battery in)
I've done this on a laptop before. If you undo some screws and take everything out that you can (without taking the whole laptop apart) you should be able to access the battery.
I've done this on a laptop before. If you undo some screws and take everything out that you can (without taking the whole laptop apart) you should be able to access the battery.