Dell error message at switch on.

whatatwit

I do hope you wonderful people on here can help. :kisses:

My dad has a Dell laptop (latitude) I think.

When he switches it on, it comes up with a message, this one.

the device system modular bay cannot be identified, it may not be completely inserted or may have some other problem

It then goes on to tell him to press device firmly into the bay.
Then after a few minutes, it switches itself off.

Any suggestions please....other than bin it. :rotfl:

albertross_2

Push it in?.............. CD drive? Or pull it out..

whatatwit

I didn't think of the CD thing.
I have messaged instructions to my mum, her laptop is working fine, thank goodness.

albertross_2

If it's an old black latitude, the media bay is on the right, and there is a release catch underneath to take the CD drive out. Try reseating it.

sean_rudenko

Have had same problem with my dell latitude. Removed hard disk and refitted it back in, have had to do this a few times. Could be a problem with the hard disk itself and its not beeing read (I know the hard disk on mine is failing and I put it down to this).

If its an older model IE. a cpx pentium 3, the hard disk is located next to the card bus bays on the left hand side. Undo the screw and pull it out and refit it. The hard disk sits in a carrier.

whatatwit

I have the same model, I have told mum how to remove it and put it back....in her words, *she has jiggled it a bit*

Lord knows what she has done to the laptop.

I have volunteered to call round and assist, at least they are only round the corner....Dad will be sat there supervising progress with his precious lappie.

whatatwit

Wish me luck, I'm off to do battle.
I hope it lives to tell the tale, dad will be distraught without his poker sites.

whatatwit

Well, I tried removing and replacing the cd drive.
No joy.
If I were to remove the hard drive, following Sean Rudenko's post above....would it change or delete any of the programs or settings?

I just know that I would be to blame for any future hiccup.

sean_rudenko

whatawit

No it will not change or delete any settings/progams, unless the hard disk is faulty or you damage it (dropping it etc). Its really just a storeage device, think of floppy disk, memory stick.

Just undo the single screw and then pull it straight out. Mine was a bit stiff to pull out.

The symptons that you describe are exactly the same as I had. When I had the problem with mine, I had to reseat it a couple of times.

Sean

whatatwit

Cheers Sean.... :beer:

I will go and visit my distraught father later armed with a teeny screwdriver.

Fingers crossed it will work, otherwise, he will be be out there spending my inheritance on a new lappy. :rotfl:

albertross_2

Does it boot without the CD drive and battery in? Sometimes the case can get bent slightly, which stops the internal connector mating. Try swapping bits with your laptop to find the faulty part.