User:Scellef/Laptop POST Troubleshooting Checklist - Revision history

Scellef: Reformatted headers, added appendix, and final section

2012-03-31T18:40:45Z

Reformatted headers, added appendix, and final section

Scellef: Fixed formatting

2012-03-03T21:59:33Z

Fixed formatting

Scellef: Finished step 3

2012-03-03T21:57:35Z

Finished step 3

Scellef: Finished Section 2

2012-03-03T20:53:18Z

Finished Section 2

Scellef: Created page with "There are four main symptoms for a laptop that isn't properly powering on: # The system isn't getting enough power # The system could be failing its POST # The LCD panel could b…"

2012-02-25T21:59:56Z

Created page with "There are four main symptoms for a laptop that isn't properly powering on: # The system isn't getting enough power # The system could be failing its POST # The LCD panel could b…"

New page

There are four main symptoms for a laptop that isn't properly powering on:

# The system isn't getting enough power
# The system could be failing its POST
# The LCD panel could be dead
# The graphics card could be fried

The first thing to try and determine is where the issue lies so that we can isolate the cause. In order to do this, we need to systematically work through the above list and strike out the possibilities.

{{RightTOC}}

===1. The system isn't getting enough power===
You should follow these steps if the following conditions are true:
* You can't get into BIOS
* The screen remains dark
* None of the indicator lights turn on

====Steps====
# Remove the '''Primary Battery''' from the laptop.
# Confirm the '''Power Rating''' for the laptop, and find an appropriate adapter.
#* Frequently, laptops require higher amperage adapters than what they're rated for. Manufacturers often have 65W and 90W adapters, sometimes even 120W adapters or higher, that are interchangeable with their various models. Generally, the important thing is to find an adapter with a barrel that will fit into the laptop. Consult an Instructor for assistance in finding an adapter for the system you're working on.
# Check to see if any indicator lights turn on after connecting the adapter. If the lights remain dark, try using a couple of higher wattage adapters.
#* If you still aren't seeing any indicator lights after this step, then this system is dead. Consult your instructor to see whether it should be '''Recycled''' or made into a '''Parts Machine'''.
#* If the indicator lights come on, but it's still now showing video or POSTing, proceed to the next section.

===2. The system could be failing its POST===
You should follow these steps if the following conditions are true:
* You can't get into BIOS
* The screen remains dark
* The indicator lights turn on and/or the fans and drives spin up

Here, we'll be looking to see whether the system is successfully POSTing, but unable to produce video output. There's a great deal of variance that arises across different manufacturers, so there is some blind inference that is required in this step.
====Steps====
# Connect the system to AC power, and power it on.
# Put your hand over where the hard drive or optical drive are located and try to feel whether it's spinning up.
#* If you can confirm the drives are spinning up after powering on, this is indicative that the machine is successfully POSTing, but not providing video. Move on to the next section.
#* If the drives are not spinning up, or if you notice the '''Capslk''', '''Nmlk''', or '''ScrLk''' indicator lights blinking intermittenly, then the system is failing its POST. Proceed to the next step
# Remove any '''PCMCIA''' and '''Mini-PCI''' (typically just Wireless cards) cards you can find.
# Remove the '''RAM''' currently in the system and set it aside, ''making note of its speed and type.''
# Grab between '''4 to 6''' sticks of RAM of the '''same speed and type''' from the RAM shelf.

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 {{RightTOC}}
-===1. The system isn't getting enough power===
+==The system isn't getting enough power==
 ;You should follow these steps if the following conditions are true:
 * You can't get into BIOS
@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 #* If the indicator lights come on, but it's still ''not showing video or POSTing'', proceed to the next section.
-===2. The system could be failing its POST===
+==The system could be failing its POST==
-:You should follow these steps if the following conditions are true:
+;You should follow these steps if the following conditions are true:
 * You can't get into BIOS
 * The screen remains dark
@@ Line 53: / Line 53: @@
 # If the machine still hasn't '''POSTed''', then the system is likely dead.  Consult your instructor to see whether it should be '''Recycled''' or made into a '''Parts Machine'''.
-===3.  The LCD Panel could be dead===
+==The LCD Panel could be dead==
-:You should follow these steps if the following conditions are true:
+;You should follow these steps if the following conditions are true:
 * You can't get into BIOS
 * The screen doesn't display the correct video output, or any at all

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:57, 3 March 2012
Line 52:		Line 52:
	#* If it didn't POST, set the RAM you just tested with to the left of the system and try the next stick, following '''step 6''' again. Continue until you've exhausted your pile of RAM.		#* If it didn't POST, set the RAM you just tested with to the left of the system and try the next stick, following '''step 6''' again. Continue until you've exhausted your pile of RAM.
	# If the machine still hasn't '''POSTed''', then the system is likely dead. Consult your instructor to see whether it should be '''Recycled''' or made into a '''Parts Machine'''.		# If the machine still hasn't '''POSTed''', then the system is likely dead. Consult your instructor to see whether it should be '''Recycled''' or made into a '''Parts Machine'''.
		+
		+	===3. The LCD Panel could be dead===
		+	:You should follow these steps if the following conditions are true:
		+	* You can't get into BIOS
		+	* The screen doesn't display the correct video output, or any at all
		+	* The system appears to be POSTing
		+
		+	LCD panels have three primary attributes: '''Resolution''', '''Aspect Ratio''', and '''Size''' (see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_display_standard here] for more information). The panels themselves are compatible across computer manufacturers, granting those three attributes align. Frequently, we'll receive systems with broken or non-functional panels that warrant a [[Laptop Procedures\|Screen Swap]].
		+
		+	====Steps====
		+	# While the laptop is powered off, connect it to an external monitor through its '''VGA port'''. Make sure the external monitor is turned on, and is set to display '''analog input''' (consult the Instructor if you have any questions)
		+	# Power on the laptop.
		+	#* Some models will automatically detect the external display, and immediately begin displaying on the monitor. Others require you to hit a '''SoftKey combination''' to reroute the video output to the external monitor (e.g., Fn + F7). If the display doesn't automatically display on the external monitor, then:
		+	#*# Confirm the monitor is set to display '''analog output'''.
		+	#*# Look for a '''SoftKey combination''' to switch displays; usually an icon that shows a laptop next to a screen, or something to that effect.
		+	# If the video successfully displays, put a piece of tape on the laptop with a note indicating that it needs a '''Screen Swap''' and consult the Instructor for next steps.
		+	#* Unfortunately, not all laptops are able to export their video output to an external monitor while POSTing. If this is the case, we will be unable to determine whether this particular screen is working without a known-good system to test it against. This can be a very involved procedure, and is usually not worth the effort. Consult your instructor to see whether the system should be '''Recycled''' or made into a '''Parts Machine'''.

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 # The system could be failing its POST
 # The LCD panel could be dead
-# The graphics card could be fried
+# The graphics card or motherboard could be dead
 The first thing to try and determine is where the issue lies so that we can isolate the cause.  In order to do this, we need to systematically work through the above list and strike out the possibilities.
@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 * None of the indicator lights turn on (no ''Signs of Life'')
-====Steps====
+===Steps===
 # Remove the '''Primary Battery''' from the laptop.
 # Confirm the '''Power Rating''' for the laptop, and find an appropriate adapter.
@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 # An integrated component on the '''motherboard (GPU, Host Bridge, etc)''' is bad
-====Steps====
+===Steps===
 # Connect the system to '''AC power''', and power it on.
 # Put your hand over where the hard drive or optical drive are located and try to feel whether it's spinning up.
 #* If you can confirm the drives are spinning up after powering on, this is indicative that the machine is successfully POSTing, but not providing video.  Move on to the next section.
-#* If the drives are not spinning up, or if you notice the '''Capslk''', '''Nmlk''', or '''ScrLk''' indicator lights blinking intermittenly, then the system is failing its POST.  Proceed to the next step.
+#* If the drives are not spinning up, or if you notice the '''CapsLk''', '''NmLk''', or '''ScrLk''' indicator lights blinking intermittenly, then the system is failing its POST.  Proceed to the next step.
 # Remove any '''PCMCIA''' and '''Mini-PCI''' (typically just Wireless cards) cards you can find.
 # Remove the '''RAM''' currently in the system and set it aside, ''making note of its speed and type.''
@@ Line 61: / Line 61: @@
 LCD panels have three primary attributes: '''Resolution''', '''Aspect Ratio''', and '''Size''' (see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_display_standard here] for more information).  The panels themselves are compatible across computer manufacturers, granting those three attributes align.  Frequently, we'll receive systems with broken or non-functional panels that warrant a [[Laptop Procedures|Screen Swap]].
-====Steps====
+===Steps===
 # While the laptop is powered off, connect it to an external monitor through its '''VGA port'''.  Make sure the external monitor is turned on, and is set to display '''analog input''' (consult the Instructor if you have any questions)
 # Power on the laptop.
@@ Line 69: / Line 69: @@
 # If the video successfully displays, put a piece of tape on the laptop with a note indicating that it needs a '''Screen Swap''' and consult the Instructor for next steps.
 #* Unfortunately, not all laptops are able to export their video output to an external monitor while POSTing.  If this is the case, we will be unable to determine whether this particular screen is working without a known-good system to test it against.  This can be a very involved procedure, and is usually not worth the effort.  Consult your instructor to see whether the system should be '''Recycled''' or made into a '''Parts Machine'''.