1 Rookie
•
12 Posts
0
345
June 11th, 2023 08:00
No screen, no boot.
My Dell Studio XPS 1645 laptop is not displaying anything on the main screen or 2nd screen and is also flashing the caps lock and all the volume lights. Also, the keys are lit up while the PC is obviously not booting to Windows because of the simple fact that the computer immediately turns off the second I press the power button.
Does anyone have any ideas what could be happening?
No Events found!
ejn63
10 Elder
•
28.7K Posts
0
June 11th, 2023 08:00
Flashing caps lock (older systems) is usually a memory problem. While proceeding with the good instructions provided in the other reply, also remove and replace the memory modules while you have the battery out and the power disconnected. That may solve the issue.
If it doesn't, and you have two modules, try one module at a time in each slot. If one module halts POST in both slots, it's bad -- replace it. If both modules halt POST in one slot, the slot is bad, making the system a candidate for replacement; it won't be worth replacing a mainboard in a system this old.
filbert
4 Operator
•
1.8K Posts
0
June 11th, 2023 08:00
Try a reset:
As that laptop is 13 years old, it's possible that it is overheating, if the thermal compound is original (has never been changed), it has dried out and cannot adequately transfer heat away from the processor, and there may be a lot of dust inside the laptop and maybe inside the fan and heat fins. So, your laptop is unable to adequately cool itself. That will cause the processor to throttle (slow down).
You might consider an internal cleaning. Open it up to clean out dust. Disassemble the fan to clean out dust and fluff. I found a fair bit in two laptops I worked on recently. Remove the heat sink, remove the old thermal compound and apply new thermal compound before reinstalling the heat sink.
While you're in there, replace the CMOS battery. If it isn't dead, it soon will be. BIOS settings and date/time can't be saved without a functioning CMOS battery. Sometimes that can prevent a laptop from booting. It appears that your CMOS battery is the type that is encased in plastic with wires and connector. If you're willing to do a little more work, you can use a standard CR2032 coin battery that is widely available. You just need to carefully disassemble the current casing and remove the contacts to reuse on the new battery. I did it recently, so can help you with any questions.
Follow the disassembly and reassembly steps in Dell's Service Manual.
Look on YouTube for videos showing disassembly of your model. But, be cautious with them, as some use steps or methods that are not appropriate. Use the videos to add to your understanding of what to do, but follow the steps in Dell's manual.
Whenever touching components or working inside a computer, wear a grounded wrist strap, also called anti-static wrist strap, ESD wrist strap, or ground bracelet. It's a cheap and sensible precaution. Rest the laptop on an anti-static mat or at least a reasonable alternative such as corrugated cardboard. (Repeatedly touching a metal case part is not sufficient mitigation with modern components.)