Hi everyone. I have an old Dell Inspiron 6400 laptop with an Intel Centrino Duo processor and a 35 gig hard drive running Windows XP that I purchased new from Dell in June 2006. Other than having to replace the power adaptor twice and (probably as a consequence) the battery once, it has always worked fine and I have never had any problems with it on the hardware front. However, over the course of the last year or so I have been encountering issues principally with not being able to update or install newer versions of software, starting with Internet Explorer 9. Further, hard drive space, despite periodic clean-outs, started to be in short supply.
Consequently, in May this year I purchased a new Sony Vaio laptop with an Intel Core i7 processor, 750 gig of storage and Windows 8 directly from Sony as a replacement with the intention of transferring all my files over from the Dell. This plan went pear-shaped when Easy Computer Sync failed to install successfully on Windows XP and was put on hold for the time being as there were a lot of other things going on in my life. Given that I was less than happy with Windows 8 and that all the stuff I was working on was still on the Dell, I continued to use the old laptop on a daily basis.
Then two weeks ago when I switched it on, the opening boot screen appeared momentarily and then went black. Usually this occurs and lasts for perhaps a minute (accompanied by the sound of the hard drive thrashing around) and then the password screen appears. However, on this occasion the screen stayed black though the hard drive activity light would indicate that it was booting-up normally.
I have tried to start it up several times since but the same thing keeps occurring. What is happening is not that the screen is going black (i.e., lack of image) but that after about two or three seconds, it switches off. Thinking that this might be a power supply issue, I replaced the battery with a new upgraded one but it made no difference.
I have the feeling that this is not a screen issue but rather a PSU issue since the battery never charges up and for a very long time (since the original battery died two years ago), I have only been able to use the laptop on mains power.
At this moment I am feeling very frustrated at not being able to access some very important files on that laptop. Amongst other things, until I can get back into it, I have lost hundreds of family photos and all my internet bookmarks, which is not something on considers important until you haven't got them. However, given the age of the laptop, I am hesitant to take it to be repaired if that is going to involve spending a substantial sum.
What I would like to know is, am I on the right lines with my diagnosis or have I got it all wrong?
Sorry for being so long-winded.
Consequently, in May this year I purchased a new Sony Vaio laptop with an Intel Core i7 processor, 750 gig of storage and Windows 8 directly from Sony as a replacement with the intention of transferring all my files over from the Dell. This plan went pear-shaped when Easy Computer Sync failed to install successfully on Windows XP and was put on hold for the time being as there were a lot of other things going on in my life. Given that I was less than happy with Windows 8 and that all the stuff I was working on was still on the Dell, I continued to use the old laptop on a daily basis.
Then two weeks ago when I switched it on, the opening boot screen appeared momentarily and then went black. Usually this occurs and lasts for perhaps a minute (accompanied by the sound of the hard drive thrashing around) and then the password screen appears. However, on this occasion the screen stayed black though the hard drive activity light would indicate that it was booting-up normally.
I have tried to start it up several times since but the same thing keeps occurring. What is happening is not that the screen is going black (i.e., lack of image) but that after about two or three seconds, it switches off. Thinking that this might be a power supply issue, I replaced the battery with a new upgraded one but it made no difference.
I have the feeling that this is not a screen issue but rather a PSU issue since the battery never charges up and for a very long time (since the original battery died two years ago), I have only been able to use the laptop on mains power.
At this moment I am feeling very frustrated at not being able to access some very important files on that laptop. Amongst other things, until I can get back into it, I have lost hundreds of family photos and all my internet bookmarks, which is not something on considers important until you haven't got them. However, given the age of the laptop, I am hesitant to take it to be repaired if that is going to involve spending a substantial sum.
What I would like to know is, am I on the right lines with my diagnosis or have I got it all wrong?
Sorry for being so long-winded.