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laptop suddenly does not run after msconfig adjustment and reboot
During the last couple of days, I have been unable to scan documents to my laptop from the HP C5180 all-in-one hooked up to it. Then yesterday it would not print a pdf from a trusted website. After trying to scan a photo, I started troubleshooting with the winxp control panel "printers and faxes" menu. (Sorry if I don't use the exact right terms.) The printer's status was listed as "offline". One of the suggestions was to get another printer driver from the printer installation CD, so I did that. It seemed to be OK.
It all happened so fast after that I didn't have any warning to write down any error messages. I actually didn't think there WAS an error message; the dialog box said said to restart the computer. I did and there was no change - the printer was still listed as offline and I could not scan.
A couple of weeks ago, Evan Omo helped me here at Windowsbbs with an "unhandled exception" error message that included some instructions about JIT debugger, as well as a reference to installing something called "photogallery". I had downloaded and paid for Regcure; it had helped at first and then stopped helping. Long story short, I tried an "msconfig disable all" instruction for my start-up items, got rid of Regcure and Norton 360, and downloaded AVG, Spybot S&D and Spyware Blaster. And the problem went away.
I returned to MS config and enabled the two start up items that referenced HP. Then tried to restart the computer. (This is where it gets a little fuzzy.) I got a box that said I had to restart the computer in "Normal Mode". There was a box at the top that said "Normal" and my green checkmark was in the box at the bottom (of three choices) that said something else... "Special"? I just cannot remember. This was at 1:30 in the morning, so I was a little groggy.
I clicked on the Normal box, restarted the computer, and from that moment, it didn't work at all. Black screen; doesn't make a sound except for the whirring of the CD drive. I'm devastated. I really need to get into that other machine. The laptop I'm using now to write this is mostly for internet use; also it is an Acer with Vista installed.
Thank you for any help or suggestions you might be able to give me. If there is anything I have left out please let me know and I will try to fill in the gaps.
Jeni (no idea)
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Correct, it is completely black. No blinking cursor, no list of options, NOTHING. The screen is as if it is turned off. But the green light is on around the power button. The blinking/flashing lights (green and yellow) that show whether the machine is online are not flashing either. The three green ones are on steady, but the two flashing yellow ones are dark.
Also, if it is of consequence, this laptop was purchased in August of 2005, and has been running almost non-stop ever since. It has never done this particular thing before.
Last edited by no idea; 24th May 2009 at 16:32.
Reason: Need to add one more thought.
Yes, I can hear that. The familiar sounds of fans, the small catch of the drive. It only lasts for about 10 seconds, though; then, they get much quieter than they would customarily be and I can only hear them when I put my ear next to the machine. There is a lot of peripheral noise today, as well (lawnmowers, other motors and sprinklers outside, the washer and dryer in the house, the occasional sump pump in the basement, the fans of the operational laptop, too.)
I doubt you know the make of the drive so you may need to look in the user manual or refer to the service manual (Google for it) and access the drive to identify it.
For a laptop of that era you could try IBM/Hitachi or Toshiba (if a Toshiba laptop) diagnostics.
I am unaware of any way it might be possible to click to one of these links on the affected machine. How do I run a diagnostic on a machine in this one's condition?
I will definitely check out the owner's manual; appreciate your patience and assistance.
Thank you both, Broni and PeteC. (Why is it that in this age beyond McGuyver, 007 and Jason Bourne - let alone my own cell phone's vast applications - I never manage to think through the technology and all its possibilities...?)
In any case, I appreciate your input, expertise and availability. The fact that the CD drive seems to want to work is a little bit hopeful for me. Also, I have an external hard disk that's been backing files up for quite some time now.
My thanks again. I wish I could repay you. Tell me what would work; not sure weeding your gardens or mowing your grass is of much interest...
Kindest regards, and many happy returns,
Jeni
PS If the boot-order is NOT set to CD first in the BIOS, am I (you know) out of luck?
Hi Jeni. Another thing you can try is when the computer first starts up try tapping the F8 key. This should bring up the advanced boot options menu. If the menu comes up try selecting Last Known Good Configuration and press enter. See if the computer will boot normally now. If the computer still shows a black screen despite you pressing F8 on startup then run the disk diagnostic software that Pete linked to.
I have been searching for the diagnostic tool you suggested. My laptop is a Toshiba Satellite M45-165/IC370/512. Before I found the following list, I also read several (too many) complaint blogs about my exact laptop and the problem I now have, among many other horrors specific to Toshiba hardware, software and customer relations. Ironically, I have never had the types of nightmares listed by the bevy of dissatisfied Toshiba ex-customers. This is, however, of not much comfort as the current issue needs fixing, and I cannot tell if the fix is in any of the downloads they offer or not. The following is a cut and pasted list from this link:
08-24-2005 - BIOSACPI Flash BIOS version 1.50 for Satellite M40/M45 (PSM43x) (v1.50; 08-23-2005; 2M)
07-12-2005 - Driver Flash Memory SDTexas Instruments PCIxx21 FlashMedia Driver for Windows XP (v2.00; 07-12-2005; 3M)
06-30-2005 User Guide/AddendaAddendum: Updated Features and Specifications for Satellite M40/M45 (v1.0; 06-30-2005; 24K)
06-14-2005 - Display Driver SpecialATI Chipset and Display Driver for Windows XP (v6.14.10.6539 Logo r2; 06-14-2005; 25M)
06-14-2005 - Driver LANRealTek LAN Driver for Windows XP (v5.620.1202.2004; 06-14-2005; 2M)
06-14-2005 - Driver SoundRealtek Audio Driver for Windows XP (v5.10.0.5820; 06-14-2005; 24M)
As none of these refer to "diagnostics" in any way, I am hesitant to believe any of the choices offered will help or fix the problem. Perhaps I have not found the best site for this download... Or perhaps (my heart is sinking at the thought) this is just the beginning of a worst-case scenario?
Thank you again for the help you have extended so far. I will keep searching as I wait for any further Toshiba Satellite diagnostic download information to which someone here might find or have access.
Kindest regards, and Happy Memorial Day,
Jeni
PS Thanks, Evan, for the F8 idea. Still blank/black screen.
