1520 Arrived - Wont Boot? Ideas?

All I get is a Bright Grey Screen. I never see any Boot info, no Windows, nada. Just a Grey Screen. So far I've re-seated the memory, then even put in the new Memory Modules (Kingston-2 x 1Gb) and no difference. Tried to get the HD out to re-seat it (remove 4 screws and its supposed to come out) but it would not budge. When I start it up I get lights for HD activity, but it stops after a bit. The whole time the screen if Grey.

Any ideas? Something stupid I hope. Sleep mode or something? Nothing I try has worked so far.

 

Maybe putting the windows disc in would solve your problem. I'm not too sure, though. I just ordered my 1520, and am getting kind of scared from seeing all these threads complaining about it. Anyways, I hope you can fix you notebook.

 

if you don't see any boot screen info(eg the post screen), seems like your CPU is not plugged in properly. even if you have no HD plugged in you should still see the Dell logo etc during boot up.

so i'm guessing its the CPU not plugged in properly


either that or your GPU is not plugged in tightly enough

 

did u try plugging in an external monitor to rule out the laptop's screen. Hearing all these problems is really making me worry about ordering a 1520. In any case, I'd get Dell on it pronto...Good luck.

 

Damn Jet, sorry to hear that. These guys pretty well got the bases covered, bout all you can do short of voiding your warranty is pluggin in a external monitor. If that don't work call dell and see what they say. I know your son has got to be disappointed in that. Best of luck to ya.

 

Ok...hooked up an old 17" CRT....sure enough its the Display. I was able to setup Vista on the external. Any ideas what to look at in the lappy display? We know the Vid Card works...so its something between the two. The display only shows white. (was grey due to brightness at 50%

Want to call Dell last resort.

And note...its the peeps with problems that post on forums 1000/1 compared the folks with no issues.....this is the first Dell issue I've had.

Sure wish the Service Manual was out....its very helpful (not needed it yet) on my I-9300.

 

the connection is probably just a bit loose, you can take off the LCD and plug back in the connection firmly.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/vos1500/en/sm/display.htm#wp1179838

this is for Vostro 1500,, which is identical to the 1520

 

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1520/en/index.htm

There's the service manual

 

cool, someone posted the link, I was gonna email you the manual if you didnt have it.

 

Welcome to my world. I had THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. Its most likely the cable. You have two choices. Either open up the lcd panel and connect it yourself or get a replacement. I was able to get the cable plugged back in but found out that the camera doesnt work and the screen blinks every now and then. So I am awaiting a repalcement but its currently delayed.


If you want to make sure that its the monitor cable out hold down the fn button and then press the pwoer button aftetr a tiny bit if the computer starst beeping like crazy then it s the cable.

 

Sweet! That did it!!!

I should have read the whole thing first though..LOL. I was taking it all apart! Ha Ha....

Thank you so very much! It's up and running, the Kid just got the Lo-Jack installed, trying to learn Vista now.

Like the wife said...if someone did not know PC's like me (and had the tools and was not afraid to dig in it) they'd call some dude in India or something and end up sending it back to Dell. It was just a not properlly seated cable....no biggie in the end.

 

FANTASTIC-!! a great example of how these forums can really help people.

Your son will be psyched!

 

Edit...just verified the Webcam works....kids are having fun with that.

It connected right away (after entering my WPA-PSK) to my Network and is rocking.

 

awesome, I just wasn't sure if that would void your warranty or not.

 

It shouldn't. I had to replace a keyboard with my Inspiron 6000 and it was still in warranty. The Dell rep said that it wouldn't cancel out my warranty.

 

I dont see why? Nothing was sealed. I didn't open anything that I had not already opened earlier to put in the new Memory (removing the Keyboard per the included Manual), the Display Adaptor cable is right up the upper hinge trim piece and the keyboard.