Is my laptop dying?

Question

For a few days now, my laptop screen has been going black while I am using it and will stop responding completely. When I cut off the power and try to start it up again, it won't most of the time. When it does start up, it will always show the black screen and stop responding after a few minutes. What is wrong with it?

(model: Dell Latitude D820)

Answer 1

Could be that the thermal grease that helps conduct the heat from the processor to the heatsink has dried out and the laptop is overheating ... another problem I have encountered, especially on older laptops, is that the "chip" that controls your graphics creeps just a fraction out of it's socket and needs to be reseated(not to be done unless your familiar with the internals of a laptop) ... I think you need to get it serviced ... it's gonna cost you a few dollars ... but least you'll have your lappy back :)

Answer 2

Unless it is still under warrantee do not bother calling Dell. Take it to a mom and pop computer shop rather than someplace like BestBuy or Circuit City. A diagnostics on it will cost no more then about $50.

Now, troubleshooting . . .

First, are you running it on battery only or is it plugged in. If it is not plugged in, your battery might be the problem.

If it is plugged in, does the power light come on and stay on or does it flash or is it out entirely? If it flashes or is out, you might have a power supply problem (the black box you plug into the wall and the computer.) UNPLUG it and inspect the cords for damage. If there is any damage, and if you see the copper wire, DO NOT use it. Find a new one on EBay. If it is okay . . .

With it plugged in and on, wiggle the power plug where it goes into the computer and watch the power light. Does it flicker when you move it? If so, you have a bad power connection on your motherboard. You might be able to get that fixed at a mom and pop. All it might take is a quick solder job.

If the power light is on and doesn't flash it might be the inverter to the display or the display itself. Now you WILL need to take it to a shop.

By this time it might get too expensive to repair and you might want to consider a new/used laptop.

Answer 3

Try replacing the screen. Ebay has screens really cheap. Also you can try connecting your laptop to an alternative monitor to see if this problem still occurs. To do this you will have to disconnect the vga cable from your desktop computer and connect it to the back of your laptop. Power on your laptop and when you see the on screen image press fn and then the crt/lcd button (located mostly on the F8 key) to switch over to the desktop monitor. Your laptop screen maybe blank or both screens might show at the same time while your doing this.

Answer 4

How long have you had your laptop? It might be getting too hot. I would check to be sure you aren't blocking the fan. If you were running the laptop a while before it blacked out, maybe you are running too hot and it shuts off to avoid getting over heated. It might be too hot to start up again right away.

Call Dell or bring it to a computer center. Some advertise free check-ups. Good luck.

Answer 5

Sounds like the motherboard. If it's an older laptop it may be expensive to fix. It may be cheaper to shop around for a new laptop. As for the data, find someone with the same machine, swap hard drives, and transfer everything onto an external drive. Walmart has external drives for pretty cheap. Around $100 for 250 gigs.

Answer 6

I'm not sure what could be causing this problem.

I'd suggest that you either take your computer to a place where it can be looked at and fixed, or call Dell and ask them if they can do anything to help you fix it.

I hope I helped and good luck with your computer.