Laptop Problem: Does not always turn back on...

[Super Warrior]

Ok i've got a Dell Vostro 1000 that i bought new earlier this year, and so far its been awesome.

Recently though i've noticed that when turning it back on after it shuts down due to hibernation or something, it does not always come back. A few power leds will come on but NOTHING will load or happen. I'll have to turn it off and try again, and usually by the second or third time everything comes back on and loads normally.

This does not always happen though and sometimes it starts up on the first try. Sounds like a minor problem but i don't know what it could be. Any ideas?

[redwudz]

Hibernation can be problematic at times. You might try a Google search for ' windows hibernation problems '. There seems there are quite a few possible causes.

[Super Warrior]

Hibernation can be problematic at times. You might try a Google search for ' windows hibernation problems '. There seems there are quite a few possible causes.

Not just hibernation, it can also happen when i just try a normal restart.

Somehow i think it could be HDD related.

[redwudz]

Could be the HDD, but it also may be a software problem. Here's a MS page about troubleshooting start up problems for XP that has worked for me before: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308041

It may also have some links to other troubleshooting pages for specific problems.

[oldandinthe way]

Could also be a firmware problem. As I understand it Dell has implemented part of their power management in firmware.

Contact Dell about your problem, you paid extra for Dell support. Also check for software and firmware updates for your computer.

Unlikely to be HDD related, unless the HDD is pulling too much power for the power supply.

Get help.

[Super Warrior]

Ok i just tried turning it off, and seeing what would happen. This time it took till the 3rd try to get it back on again.

Everything functions Perfectly fine while its on, but it just has a little trouble starting up for whatever reason. Heck if i know what the issue is. I still suspect it is HDD related, nothing loads without the HDD after all. Like a loose connection somewhere.

Well i'm on my college break and using my laptop at home like a desktop, so i won't be turning it off again anytime soon. I've already got it set NOT to go into hibernation any more.

By the way, except for brief instances where i'm at the college library, my laptop is ALWAYS plugged into a surge protector.

[andie41]

I bet on software issues. I have had this failure to return from hibernation/standby on three different occasions with my Vostro 1500. I made an image of my "C" partition, when I first received my laptop, so I was able to quickly restore and power saving worked properly again. I tend to try a variety of software and I haven't been able to determine which software causes problems, but I keep an updated image of my system available, so it is quick and easy to recover.

Perhaps you could try uninstalling recent software installations, or use a restore point to rollback to a previous working system, or use the Dell repair CD - neither option worked for me, only restoring the "image" solved my problem. If all else fails, send it back to Dell, or use the Dell CD to re-install your system (after backing up all important Data.)

[oldandinthe way]

It could be as simple as a faulty power switch, which takes 3 presses to make contact.

I repeat my previous suggestion - call Dell support.

You can eliminate software and the hard drive with a simple test. Next time it won't boot remove the power adapter and the battery. Wait 2 minutes. Replace them and attempt to boot. If it boots, it is not the HDD or the software. If it doesn't you still won't know the cause.

[Super Warrior]

It could be as simple as a faulty power switch, which takes 3 presses to make contact.

I repeat my previous suggestion - call Dell support.

You can eliminate software and the hard drive with a simple test. Next time it won't boot remove the power adapter and the battery. Wait 2 minutes. Replace them and attempt to boot. If it boots, it is not the HDD or the software. If it doesn't you still won't know the cause.

When i press the switch, there is always power to the system as the LEDs come on and the disc drive can be opened.

It just does not always boot up. Like everything switched on but the HDD.

[Webster]

Super[/url] Warrior]

When i press the switch, there is always power to the system as the LEDs come on and the disc drive can be opened.

It just does not always boot up. Like everything switched on but the HDD.

Can it boot from the CD/DVD (using one of those Linux live CD. Linux will be able to detect the HD if it is working properly)? If it can boot without problem but unable to detect the HD in linux, you can narrow the cause closer to to the hard drive.

[barahawk]

Hi, I just bought a vostro 1700 and every now and again when i switch it on the screen is blank - lights come on as normal - but i don't see the post splash screen (dell) nothing comes up at all - just wondering whether you got a resolution and if so what was it?

cheers.