My computer (laptop) won't turn on... - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered people coming out

Jeremy · 14th Sep 2010, 12:53 PM

So... I was watching a YouTube video when, in the middle of the video, the computer made some weird scrathy sound (kinda like a DJ scratch or a pop of white noise), and my screen went to this weird desert-sand colored screen with stripes. My computer was completely frozen, so I figured the best (only) thing I could do was try to hardboot it. When I tried to turn my computer back on, it would just start up for like 3.5 seconds and shut off again. The weird thing though is that it would continue to try to restart; it would just keep turning on and off and on and off continuously until I just hold the power button for like 16 seconds (much longer than usual) until it stays off.

I tried waiting for about an hour to try it again, and it would do the same thing. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I don't want to lose anything! Thanks!

Z3ni · 14th Sep 2010, 02:43 PM

Is it old? Could it be a virus? Overheatd??

---------- Post added 14th Sep 2010 at 10:48 PM ----------

My friends says it needs "Reflow" your GFX has blown

Jeremy · 14th Sep 2010, 06:47 PM

It's not too old; I bought it around April of 2008; it has Vista. It's not overheated; It wasn't hot when it spazzed out, and I gave it time to cool before retrying anyway. I don't know if it's a virus. I suppose it's a possibility.

I ended up deciding to take it on over to the tech place to have them look at it. It costs $90 just for a diagnostic! Gah! >_>

lol

Kenko · 14th Sep 2010, 07:53 PM

What brand and model is it?

I know for example many computers of that era with nVidia chipsets have extremely high failure rates which the manufacture may or may not cover. For example every HP of that era with an nVidia chip: http://hplies.com

If nothing else chances are your data is safe on the hard drive, and could be pulled out and data retrieved.

Jeremy · 15th Sep 2010, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenko

What brand and model is it?

I know for example many computers of that era with nVidia chipsets have extremely high failure rates which the manufacture may or may not cover. For example every HP of that era with an nVidia chip: http://hplies.com

If nothing else chances are your data is safe on the hard drive, and could be pulled out and data retrieved.

Yeah, I'm hoping so. (My computer's still in the shop, and they didn't tell me how long it will take).

It's a Compaq laptop with Vista, but other than that, I don't really know. I didn't pay too much attention, and I'm not really the most computer savvy guy out there. lol

I also only had a one-year warranty which is expired by now. XD

**Filip** · 16th Sep 2010, 05:20 AM

I once had that happen to me and it turned out it was the hard drive that gave up the ghost. Of course, just at a point where I hadn't backed it up in months...

So I hope your issue will be slightly less serious...

Stuie · 16th Sep 2010, 06:25 AM

Is it possible to boot it in Safe Mode or doesn't it boot up to there yet?
If it doesn't get to that stage, your hard drive is probably screwed. :S

14th Sep 2010, 12:53 PM	#1
Jeremy To be honest, I don't like dogs. Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Homosexual Out Status: I typically don't get to choose. Location: USA Age: 23 Posts: 264 Join Date: Aug 2010	My computer (laptop) won't turn on... So... I was watching a YouTube video when, in the middle of the video, the computer made some weird scrathy sound (kinda like a DJ scratch or a pop of white noise), and my screen went to this weird desert-sand colored screen with stripes. My computer was completely frozen, so I figured the best (only) thing I could do was try to hardboot it. When I tried to turn my computer back on, it would just start up for like 3.5 seconds and shut off again. The weird thing though is that it would continue to try to restart; it would just keep turning on and off and on and off continuously until I just hold the power button for like 16 seconds (much longer than usual) until it stays off. I tried waiting for about an hour to try it again, and it would do the same thing. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I don't want to lose anything! Thanks! __________________ ................ .......... .. ................

14th Sep 2010, 02:43 PM	#2
Z3ni Ec's ADD Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gayish Out Status: My Twin Location: England, Manchester Posts: 3,083 Join Date: Oct 2008	Re: My computer (laptop) won't turn on... Is it old? Could it be a virus? Overheatd?? ---------- Post added 14th Sep 2010 at 10:48 PM ---------- My friends says it needs "Reflow" your GFX has blown __________________ Through pain, lies success.

14th Sep 2010, 06:47 PM	#3
Jeremy To be honest, I don't like dogs. Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Homosexual Out Status: I typically don't get to choose. Location: USA Age: 23 Posts: 264 Join Date: Aug 2010	Re: My computer (laptop) won't turn on... It's not too old; I bought it around April of 2008; it has Vista. It's not overheated; It wasn't hot when it spazzed out, and I gave it time to cool before retrying anyway. I don't know if it's a virus. I suppose it's a possibility. I ended up deciding to take it on over to the tech place to have them look at it. It costs $90 just for a diagnostic! Gah! >_> lol __________________ ................ .......... .. ................

14th Sep 2010, 07:53 PM	#4
Kenko EC Addict Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: A few friends + parents Location: Canada Age: 26 Posts: 1,407 Join Date: Jan 2007	Re: My computer (laptop) won't turn on... What brand and model is it? I know for example many computers of that era with nVidia chipsets have extremely high failure rates which the manufacture may or may not cover. For example every HP of that era with an nVidia chip: http://hplies.com If nothing else chances are your data is safe on the hard drive, and could be pulled out and data retrieved. __________________ Some of us are at different harmonics, but we all have the same fundamental frequency.

16th Sep 2010, 05:20 AM	#6
Filip Cecile's sidekick EC Advisor Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: All but extended family Location: Belgium, EU Age: 28 Posts: 3,366 Join Date: Feb 2009	Re: My computer (laptop) won't turn on... I once had that happen to me and it turned out it was the hard drive that gave up the ghost. Of course, just at a point where I hadn't backed it up in months... So I hope your issue will be slightly less serious... __________________ To the world, you're somebody, but to somebody, you're the world...

16th Sep 2010, 06:25 AM	#7
Stuie Hugs - $POA Full Member Gender: e^(πi) +1 = 0 Orientation: Schnoo Out Status: Moo Cow Location: Canberra, Australia Age: 19 Posts: 1,463 Join Date: Aug 2008	Re: My computer (laptop) won't turn on... Is it possible to boot it in Safe Mode or doesn't it boot up to there yet? If it doesn't get to that stage, your hard drive is probably screwed. :S __________________ STRAAAAAAAAAAAWURUWERT AND THE LESBIANS! MADDATRON3000X's (Maddy) Fag Hag Loves Pauline in the form of the equation f(x): (-∞,2) -> R, 2^-x

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Anyone good with computer errors?	Tim	Entertainment and Media	18	7th Jan 2010 05:54 PM
Tattoos turn on or turn off?	ok455	Chit Chat	73	24th Mar 2009 08:52 AM
I'm being exiled by my computer!	SamAlex728	Chit Chat	0	22nd Sep 2008 10:25 AM
Spyware/ Viruses, Fixing someone's computer and Grrr!!!	Kenko	Entertainment and Media	2	26th Jun 2008 03:53 AM
Computer Issues	24601	Entertainment and Media	4	2nd Jan 2008 12:48 PM