/! Help needed Black screen Compaq Laptop /!

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Dear Members,

First of all thank you for your kind attention. Your help will be very
much appreciated if you could help me out for the following problem.


My laptop is a Compaq 1400 (14XL355) Celeron Win98 Me with 64 Mo
permanent + 64 Mo removable RAM.

I tried to upgrade the memory by using a 256 Mo PC133 SDRAM unit. The
manual says it is ok up to 256 Mo PC 100 (320 = 256 + 64) total
devices.

Well, when installed, the system recognized only 119 Mo. A
benchsoftware did recognized the memory as a PC133 256 Mo but not the
system.

So before attempting anything, I decided to switch back to the initial
configuration that was working so far. 64 Mo + 64 Mo PC 100 without
doing anything else But at this time : BIG PROBLEM :

***************************************************à
The laptop is not even able to boot. I can't even hear the hard drive
starting up : only a black screen without any access.

The same problem has been observed when :

- w/o battery

- when removing the additional memory thus leaving one slot blank

****************************************

What is your feeling on this one ? What shall I do in such
circonstances !

Thank you very much for your precious help ! I can't afford loosing
everything
!

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

jakal wrote:
> Dear Members,
>
> First of all thank you for your kind attention. Your help will be very
> much appreciated if you could help me out for the following problem.
>
>
> My laptop is a Compaq 1400 (14XL355) Celeron Win98 Me with 64 Mo
> permanent + 64 Mo removable RAM.
>
> I tried to upgrade the memory by using a 256 Mo PC133 SDRAM unit. The
> manual says it is ok up to 256 Mo PC 100 (320 = 256 + 64) total
> devices.
>
> Well, when installed, the system recognized only 119 Mo. A
> benchsoftware did recognized the memory as a PC133 256 Mo but not the
> system.
>
> So before attempting anything, I decided to switch back to the initial
> configuration that was working so far. 64 Mo + 64 Mo PC 100 without
> doing anything else But at this time : BIG PROBLEM :
>
> ***************************************************à
> The laptop is not even able to boot. I can't even hear the hard drive
> starting up : only a black screen without any access.
>
> The same problem has been observed when :
>
> - w/o battery
>
> - when removing the additional memory thus leaving one slot blank
>
> ****************************************
>
> What is your feeling on this one ? What shall I do in such
> circonstances !
>
> Thank you very much for your precious help ! I can't afford loosing
> everything
> !

First, look at the installed RAM and see if the contacts are inserted
fully into the slot and that the semi-circular retaining keys on the
sides are firmly inserted into the key slots on the chip. If not for
either, the ram is not installed correctly and must be removed and
reseated. Secondly, find the reset button and press it. Then try
another startup.

Lastly, Compaq has a procedure for forcing a general reset on older
laptops that was on the former Compaq site - something like remove the
battery and AC adapter, hold the power key down for at least one minute,
power on without the battery on AC power. You might also take this to
alt.sys.pc-clone.compaq where the experts reside.

Q

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Resetting the CMOS is what they are referring to.. You need to pull
the CMOS batt prior to the ole press and hold the power button for 20
seconds.. (This just depletes caps and what not in the circuit when
the batterys removed).. Electrolytic capacitors are similar to a
battery in the sense they retain a voltage for a short time. By
pulling the CMOS batt and pressing the power button your are depleting
these residuals. *Laptop battery and adapter cord have to be removed
also*..

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

After many tries, I did perform what you have just mentioned. Ater
removing-inserting again the memory card and cleaning the slot, the
system did boot up. What a nice surprise !

Thank you very much for this unvaluable help.

In your opinion, what shall I do next time in order to avoid such a
thing to happen. What is the cause of such a strange behavior ?

Anyway, many thanks again Ikenfixit and Quaoar, you're the bosses !

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

You are welcome.. Unfortunately RAM slot solder joints will only get
worse not better.. These require resoldering as they will eventually
kill the RAM itself. Run it for a while and if it starts acting Quirky
give us a buzz. I repair a ton of laptops with this issue from Sony's
to Compaqs. Good luck!!
www.ikenfixit.com