Laptop with a startup problem

E

EliteFantasy

Limp Gawd
Joined
Oct 4, 2004
Messages
205
I closed my thread in laptops so I could post here to get more people to see.

On a Dell Inspiron 1000, I wanted to upgrade the RAM with a 512mb stick. I had it unplugged and took the battery out. I made sure to ground myself and the ONLY thing I did was unscrew the one screw to open the cover and slid and clicked the RAM into place, I did not even touch the other (more permanent) stick.

The computer started up amd went to the XP Pro loading screen. As it loads, the screen flashes blue *not the typical BSOD though* and restarts. The bios recognized the memory, but will not go any further. I took out the stick and it is still giving the same blue screen flash and restarts. The computer will not start in safe mode either.

What possibly happened and how can I fix this? It did not happen until I put the stick in so it must have been something that happened then. I have the XP disc (it was a clean install with a new XP Pro disc). I will try to recover if anyone thinks it will work (and wont lose the data). Any help is appreciated.

I looked at it some more and tried loading from the CD and got an error of the file NTSC.sys. Did I screw up the hard drive? Would using a magnetic scredriver (one I did not know it was) be enough to screw up a hard drive? It was on tiny screw on and off.

Thanks.
 
You'd have to sit the screwdriver on the hard drive for a good long time in order for that to make a difference.

I would *start* by taking all of the memory out and re-insert the old memory. Make sure it is snug and even. See if it boots. If it does, put in the new memory. If it doesn't boot, replace the old memory with the new memory. See if it boots.

When it boots successfully, check out some stuff. Hit Win+Break and make sure windows is recognizing all of the ram (or all of the ram minus shared video ram). Load some applications. Make sure you use as much memory as possible. Run some big games. If you have memory problems, they will likely show themselves when loading games. Also, make sure you run the laptop for a while. Get it good and hot.

If it never boots properly, call Dell (always a last resort). They will probably tell you that you have shagged your warranty. It is a standard response to user upgrade questions.
 
Dell will be my last resort.

The thing is, the 256mb stick in there is a "permanent" one. It has to be soldiered out. The thing is, I did not even touch that stick. All I did was open the cover and slide in the new stick and closed the cover. I tried it without the new 512, but I get the same thing.

Thanks.
 
You're going to have to call Dell. Painful, I know, but I think it is your only option.
 
Well, I found out the BIOS on the laptop is A02 and the newest from Dell is A08. I am going to try to use a USB Floppy to update the BIOS and see if that works.

Anyone have any other ideas besides calling Dell?
 
Well, I updated the BIOS. That did not work.

I did a chat with Dell and went through many different steps and came to the conclusion...some hdd sectors went bad. I wll probably get a drive off of eBay and all will be well.

Now I just need to figure out how to get any files I can off of the bad drive. I shall search!

Thanks hammerhead, your the only one who responded.
 
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