Laptop issues! Help please!

Maz

Hi everyone, hoping someone can help me please.

OK, I'll try and describe the problem as best I can, bearing in mind that I am a technobimbo.

Switched on my Fujitsu lappy,as normal. Tried to delete a document from the desktop screen in to the recycling bin and the action just hung for ages, only thing I could do was switch lappy off.

When I switched on again, screen hung at the Fujitsu screen, then returned with a blank screen, except for a flashing cursor in the top left hand corner.

Switched off and on again, with the same result.

Can anyone help be to get up and running again please?

Any advice and direction will be much appreciated.

p.s. just opened lappy and have a screen which says - Media test failure. Exirting PXE ROM. Operating system not found.

russell_e

It sounds to me like the hard drive has failed.

Is it still in warranty?

Maz

russell_e wrote: »

It sounds to me like the hard drive has failed.

Is it still in warranty?

Thanks for your reply Russell.

No unfortunately it's outside warranty! As it states OS not found, would it be the right thing to do to reinstall Windows 7? Didn't come with a DVD, just a folder with card, so not sure how to do that. I did find my old XP DVD, very tempted to just install that, never had any probs with XP!

I have a recovery DVD from Fujitsu but that means losing all data by the look of it.:(

mezz200

I think that as you have the license key (i assume) on the laptop you should be able to download the software from microsoft, however I suspect that you will have to do this on another machine. But if the hard drive has failed you will need yo replace that first....

Maz

mezz200 wrote: »

I think that as you have the license key (i assume) on the laptop you should be able to download the software from microsoft, however I suspect that you will have to do this on another machine. But if the hard drive has failed you will need yo replace that first....

Thanks Mezz, how do I know if the hard drive has failed? Also, if I download on another lappy (i.e. my dauhter's which I'm using now) would that be a simple case of copy to DVD then install on my own machine?

Sorry, I sound totally dim I know, just completely technologically challenged! I really appreciate all the help.

I take it that installing XP from existing DVD won't cut it then?

Leo2020

A flashing cursor in the top left normally means the HDD has failed. Plus the fact that your OS can't be found is also another clue.

Try re-installing Windows using the recovery disk or you can try installing XP. This will delete your data though.

Before re-installing Windows you could try resetting your BIOS defaults and make sure you remove any external storage devices such as external hard drives and memory sticks.

To enter BIOS switch laptop on and keep press F2 until the BIOS screen appears. Should then be F9 to reset followed by F10 to Save and Exit the BIOS.

If resetting the BIOS, removing external storage and re-installing Windows does not work then your HDD has failed.

Maz

Thanks Leo, I'll try all that you suggest. Looks like I'm going to lose my data anyway so, in for a penny eh?

Figment

Has the laptop been bumped, dropped, shaken or jolted recently?

Maz

Figment wrote: »

Has the laptop been bumped, dropped, shaken or jolted recently?

No, I'm a bit precious about my laptop and very careful with it.

Suppose if the HDD has failed my only option is to buy a new laptop or does a repair make it more ecnomically sensible?

tonyh66

just buy a new hard drive, its usually 3 or 4 screws to replace.
By your description, the hard drive has definitely died, and you will not be able to re/install any OS onto it.

-TangleFoot-

Maz wrote: »

p.s. just opened lappy and have a screen which says - Media test failure. Exirting PXE ROM. Operating system not found.

That's the network boot device talking; you generally only see this on home computers when no other boot device is present. Could be a failed drive or a failed controller or even a dodgy boot record. Switching it off during a write operation may have exacerbated the matter but it's unlikely to be the root cause.

Can you access the BIOS?