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I read a similar thread but still couldn't find a way to fix the problem.
I bought an Area-51 m5550 from alienware a little over 3 years ago, so all forms of warranty have passed.
Last night I had a download running so I decided to leave it on but set it to hibernate after 2 hours. I was running dual monitors as well. When I tried to get on my laptop this morning my laptop screen wouldn't even turn on and my second screen was black with my pointer in the center (which I could not move). My system wasn't answering to anything so I cold booted it and when turning the power on I was greeted by a gray screen which would slowly turn to a dark gray screen with a few black lines through it.
I tried pressing fn+F4 to move the information to my other monitor but nothing happens. If I leave the screen alone it will turn black but will always return to the gray screen.
Is there a way I can fix this on my own or will I need to bring it into a computer shop and have them take a look at it?
Thanks,
Zet
Last edited by Zeteru; 4th June 2009 at 17:15.
Reason: I forgot to pose a questoin
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Please always post your OS - Vista and XP, for example, are rather different
Can you boot into Safe Mode? Assuming that the menu screen appears - I have my doubts - try Last Known Good.
FYI, if necessary ....
Quote:
To use the F8 key to start Windows XP in Safe mode
Restart the computer.
Some computers have a progress bar that refers to the word BIOS. Others may not let you know what is happening.
As soon as the BIOS loads, begin tapping the F8 key on your keyboard. Do so until the Windows Advanced Options menu appears.
If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard error" message. If this happens, restart the computer and try again.
Using the arrow keys on the keyboard, select Safe mode and then press Enter.
I tried entering the advanced options. I might have entered... I may have not... The screen just stayed gray. I did try it a few times 'assuming' it entered the advanced options and there was still no response other than the gray screen.
I think you have a hardware problem with the computer - if your second screen is black with the cursor in place that would suggest that that monitor is active and there is no video signal to it from the laptop.
IMO you have either a hard drive problem - possible failure or a motherboard problem, again a failure in some component.
I think you need to get some professional 'hands on' advice here.
