User:Scellef/Laptop POST Troubleshooting Checklist

There are four primary causes for a laptop that isn't properly powering on:

1. The system isn't getting enough power
2. The system could be failing its POST
3. The LCD panel could be dead
4. 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.

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 (no Signs of Life)

Steps

1. Remove the Primary Battery from the laptop.
2. 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.
3. 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 not showing video or POSTing, proceed to the next section.

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. Some exmaples of issues that can cause a system to fail its POST include:

1. The RAM is bad or incompatible
2. A bad or incompatible peripheral card (PCI) is installed
3. The BIOS is corrupted
4. An integrated component on the motherboard (GPU, Host Bridge, etc) is bad

Steps

1. Connect the system to AC power, and power it on.
2. 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.
3. Remove any PCMCIA and Mini-PCI (typically just Wireless cards) cards you can find.
4. Remove the RAM currently in the system and set it aside, making note of its speed and type.
5. Grab between 4 to 6 sticks of RAM of the same speed and type from the RAM shelf.
6. Here, we will methodically insert the RAM, one at a time, into each available DIMM slot:
   • Put the untested RAM to the right of the system.
   • Determine where the DIMM slots are (most laptops have two, though occasionally you'll encounter a system with just one) and install one stick of RAM.
   • Power on the system.
     • If it POSTs without video, as determined in step 2, then move on to the next section.
     • If it's still not POSTing, power down the system, and move the RAM into the next DIMM slot.
   • 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.
7. 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.

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 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 Screen Swap.

Steps

1. 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)
2. 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:
     1. Confirm the monitor is set to display analog output.
     2. Look for a SoftKey combination to switch displays; usually an icon that shows a laptop next to a screen, or something to that effect.
3. 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.