Gateway MX8711 - Black Screen

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Pilgrim
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Gateway MX8711 - Black Screen

Post by Pilgrim »

I was handed a Gateway (laptop) MX8711 that does not boot into Vista. There is nothing but a black screen (No White Cursor) which would be indicative of the infamous Black Screen of Death. I cannot get into Safe Mode nor the BIOS nor anything else. The owner said everything was working 100%, closed the lid for the night and in the morning she was met with the black screen.

Here's what I've done so far:
- connected an external monitor to check if the laptop's display screen was dead
- turn on the unit using the power cord vs. the battery
- removed the HDD and hooked it up with an external cable to my PC - the HDD spins and I can navigate the files
- run KIS to check for infections - result was 100% clean
- tried pressing: F8, F6, Delete on startup with no results
- tried booting with a Vista installation DVD - nada, just the black screen

Would like suggestions as to what to check next.

THANKS!
Jeff

Artificial Intelligence is no match for natural stupidity!

JoeP
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Re: Gateway MX8711 - Black Screen

Post by JoeP »

Hvae you completely removed the battery and tried it on the mains?

Joe
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Pilgrim
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Re: Gateway MX8711 - Black Screen

Post by Pilgrim »

Joe,

The laptop doesn't even have a battery. All it has is the power cord. But thanks for jumping in here. :grin:
Jeff

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JoeP
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Re: Gateway MX8711 - Black Screen

Post by JoeP »

What does your second item of what you've done mean then?

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Pilgrim
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Re: Gateway MX8711 - Black Screen

Post by Pilgrim »

JoeP wrote:What does your second item of what you've done mean then?
Sorry for being unclear. What #2 meant to convey was there is no battery. It was removed by the owner and given to me without it. Thus, I have been using the mains cord to supply power.

I also noticed when I power this unit on, the power and the HDD light are displayed and after about 2 seconds the HDD activity light goes out. The fan does continue to run, however. I'm leaning toward a faulty power supply since the HDD when hooked up externally functions fine.

Further thoughts??
Jeff

Artificial Intelligence is no match for natural stupidity!

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HansV
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Re: Gateway MX8711 - Black Screen

Post by HansV »

A faulty power supply would fit the symptoms that you describe - it seems the most plausible explanation to me.
Best wishes,
Hans

JoeP
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Re: Gateway MX8711 - Black Screen

Post by JoeP »

There used to be some laptops that would not do anything without a battery installed.

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DaveA
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Re: Gateway MX8711 - Black Screen

Post by DaveA »

And the newer ones the OEM's state to remove batteries when the computer will NOT be in use for a LONG time.

Without a battery the software side of the power pack will not function, as the battery is needed, for the charging program to run.
Last edited by DaveA on 19 Aug 2010, 21:01, edited 1 time in total.
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Pilgrim
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Location: Swanzey, NH

Re: Gateway MX8711 - Black Screen

Post by Pilgrim »

Dunno guys! :scratch: My understanding from the owner, which I will definitely confirm with a phone call, is that this laptop has had the battery removed for quite a long time and it has functioned 100% without it. They simply leave it plugged in with the power cord and use it in that manner.
Jeff

Artificial Intelligence is no match for natural stupidity!