Understood.
Is Windows Backup a reasonable tool for performing the backup? Or would you just use copy and paste?
Thanks.
Is Windows Backup a reasonable tool for performing the backup? Or would you just use copy and paste?
Thanks.
Solved Blank Laptop Screen
- Thread starter werdnarolyat
- Start date
-
Hi there and welcome to PC Help Forum (PCHF), a more effective way to get the Tech Support you need!
We have Experts in all areas of Tech, including Malware Removal, Crash Fixing and BSOD's , Microsoft Windows, Computer DIY and PC Hardware, Networking, Gaming, Tablets and iPads, General and Specific Software Support and so much more.
Why not Click Here To Sign Up and start enjoying great FREE Tech Support.
This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More. -
Hello everyone We want to personally apologize to everyone for the downtime that we've experienced. We are working to get everything back up as quickly as possible. Due to the issues we've had, your password will need to be reset. Please click the button that says "Forgot Your Password" and change it. We are working to have things back to normal. Emails are fixed and should now send properly. Thank you all for your patience. Thanks, PCHF Management
- Status
Just a quick update. I'm still backing up files. I don't want to leave the laptop running when I'm not in the house given the high temperatures it is experiencing.
In terms of software, I have used CCleaner to generate a list of all installed software. Is there a tool that can be used to gather all the licence keys for installed software? I've had a search but I'm wary of whether or not software is legitimate. Or should I just do it manually?
I have also backed up the drivers in the %SystemRoot%\System32\ folder.
In terms of software, I have used CCleaner to generate a list of all installed software. Is there a tool that can be used to gather all the licence keys for installed software? I've had a search but I'm wary of whether or not software is legitimate. Or should I just do it manually?
I have also backed up the drivers in the %SystemRoot%\System32\ folder.
Thanks. I was typing a replying from the laptop and got the blue screen of death...Thankfully the Windows 7 backup had completed.
Now when I switch on the laptop I just get a dull screen and it eventually switches itself off. I let cool for a while in case that was causing an issue.
Is my best option now to buy a new hard drive and try and install Windows 10?
Now when I switch on the laptop I just get a dull screen and it eventually switches itself off. I let cool for a while in case that was causing an issue.
Is my best option now to buy a new hard drive and try and install Windows 10?
As you know that you need a new HDD you have not been caught off guard but the computer blue screening, the dull screens and the shutting down problems are not being caused by the HDD, they are most likely being caused by overheating, one may think that hearing a cooling fan working hard meant that things were being kept cool when in fact it meant that the fan could not cool things down.
There is a fair bit of work involved in cleaning or cleaning and having to replace the cooling fan, there is a guide here, take a look and see what you think, please note the warning in red in step 9.
After leaving the laptop for a 3 - 4 hours, I tried switching it on and managed to capture some images in case it helps identify any root causes. The green bands are a new issue.
I'll have a look at the fan replacement guide; I might be able to have a go over the next week or so.
I'll have a look at the fan replacement guide; I might be able to have a go over the next week or so.
Attachments
Apologies for the delay getting back to you werdnarolyat.
When you have screen issues like this on a notebook the first check that is suggested is to try booting into Safe Mode only (no networking) if the issue is still present in Safe Mode it normally rules out a driver issue and the next suggestion is to try hooking the notebook up to an external display via the notebooks VGA port to see if the issue is present on the external screen, if the problem is not present on the external display it points towards either a MB to screen video cable problem or a problem with the screen itself, if the problem is still present on the external display there are a couple of possible causes, overheating, a problem with the notebooks graphics solution or a problem with the power such as a bad power board, inverter or backlight, depending on the age and specification of a notebook the screen may not have a backlight.
When you have screen issues like this on a notebook the first check that is suggested is to try booting into Safe Mode only (no networking) if the issue is still present in Safe Mode it normally rules out a driver issue and the next suggestion is to try hooking the notebook up to an external display via the notebooks VGA port to see if the issue is present on the external screen, if the problem is not present on the external display it points towards either a MB to screen video cable problem or a problem with the screen itself, if the problem is still present on the external display there are a couple of possible causes, overheating, a problem with the notebooks graphics solution or a problem with the power such as a bad power board, inverter or backlight, depending on the age and specification of a notebook the screen may not have a backlight.
Thanks phillpower2.
I should be able to try an external monitor at work tomorrow and will let you know how I get on.
I should be able to try an external monitor at work tomorrow and will let you know how I get on.
Just a quick update.
I switched on the laptop for the 1st time since Sunday and started in safe mode with no networking as advised. The screen looked just like image 4 above.
I'll try an external monitor tomorrow.
I switched on the laptop for the 1st time since Sunday and started in safe mode with no networking as advised. The screen looked just like image 4 above.
I'll try an external monitor tomorrow.
I was just logging in to reply regarding the external monitor test. I only had around 30 seconds before the laptop did the blue screen of death. However, when connected to the external monitor, the display was just the same as the attached images.
It looks like the default display setting was to duplicate the laptop screen - would that have had an influence on this test? i.e. would the true test have been to switch to the "extend display" setting? Or does that not matter?
It looks like the default display setting was to duplicate the laptop screen - would that have had an influence on this test? i.e. would the true test have been to switch to the "extend display" setting? Or does that not matter?
Not good results 
It shouldn't make any difference tbh, try extend if you wish but can I just mention that in your screenshot one the lines are present before Windows or any other software has loaded so the problem is hardware related.
Thanks phillpower2.
Is it possible to determine at this stage whether it is worth investing more time and effort to resolve the issue?
Is it possible to determine at this stage whether it is worth investing more time and effort to resolve the issue?
Cleaning the inside of the notebook, checking out the internal cooling fan and removing/reseating the RAM are three things that can be done, are you prepared to undertake the task/s.
NB: When you tried the external display, did you try it on battery power only and then removing the battery and using just the AC adaptor.
NB: When you tried the external display, did you try it on battery power only and then removing the battery and using just the AC adaptor.
Ordinarily I'd be up for trying the tasks, I'm just short on free time just now and I'm going on holiday soon too. I'm happy to try once I get back.
I only tried the external monitor when using the AC adaptor with the battery plugged in.
As a side note, I think the battery is dead and doesn't hold a charge.
Thanks.
I only tried the external monitor when using the AC adaptor with the battery plugged in.
As a side note, I think the battery is dead and doesn't hold a charge.
Thanks.
If the battery has any charge, try the external screen while on battery only and then AC adaptor only and battery removed, alternatively, remove the battery and just try AC adaptor only, we are checking to see if this could be a power issue as in over voltage or a short circuit.
If you let us know what date you will be back of your hols we can mark your thread as pending until you return, the alternative is to close and then re-open it when you are ready, we don`t like to leave open threads hanging in case other folk start posting in them.
If you let us know what date you will be back of your hols we can mark your thread as pending until you return, the alternative is to close and then re-open it when you are ready, we don`t like to leave open threads hanging in case other folk start posting in them.
- Status