Can't boot up, help please! - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

forgotten_dream · 04-12-2009, 07:36 PM

I'm having a problem with my laptop, and I was hoping someone had a suggestion for what might be wrong, or where I could look to find out myself.
I have an Acer Aspire 5920 that got dropped (a pretty short distance, like maybe 5 or 6 inches) and now won't boot up all the way. It flashes the opening "Acer" screen and then goes to the Windows loading bar screen (windows vista), but then it goes to a black screen. If I wait long enough, a cursor arrow will show up on the black screen but nothing else. I opened up the back of it and nothing is cracked or loose that I can tell, but I really only know just enough about computers to do some real damage trying to fix it. :P
Does anyone have any idea if this is something I might be able to fix myself?

Redjake · 04-13-2009, 08:23 AM

This is a good one.

The first thing is: are you absolutely 100% sure that the fall/drop of the laptop is what caused this problem? Did it ever do this before you dropped it? Could it be coincidence?

A software issue like you are having seems kind of weird for having dropped the laptop.

Can you get into Safe Mode? You have to hit one of the "F" keys to do so. I believe it varies per model. Try to get into Safe Mode - let us know if you can!

shakran · 04-13-2009, 09:01 AM

was it on when you dropped it? Sounds to me like some data got damaged on the hard drive. go here:

Hiren's BootCD 9.7: Download Hiren's BootCD 9.7

and download the free hiren's boot cd. Burn the ISO to a disc and boot your laptop with it, then run one of the physical hard drive tests to make sure you didn't do anything worse than data damage. Assuming it comes up clean, you're probably gonna have to reinstall Vista.

Rekna · 04-13-2009, 10:04 AM

You likely damaged some vital system files.

You need to run chkdisk on the drive. You may want to try booting into safe mode to do this or using your windows install CD.

If chkdisk doesn't fix it you can install your OS over top of the old one without formatting (this will keep your data, but you will have to reinstall programs and such).

04-12-2009, 07:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
forgotten_dream Psycho	Can't boot up, help please! I'm having a problem with my laptop, and I was hoping someone had a suggestion for what might be wrong, or where I could look to find out myself. I have an Acer Aspire 5920 that got dropped (a pretty short distance, like maybe 5 or 6 inches) and now won't boot up all the way. It flashes the opening "Acer" screen and then goes to the Windows loading bar screen (windows vista), but then it goes to a black screen. If I wait long enough, a cursor arrow will show up on the black screen but nothing else. I opened up the back of it and nothing is cracked or loose that I can tell, but I really only know just enough about computers to do some real damage trying to fix it. :P Does anyone have any idea if this is something I might be able to fix myself? __________________ "A ouija board just works better if you've made it yourself. It's sortof like how 'Clue' is more interesting when one of you has actually killed someone."

04-13-2009, 08:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
Redjake I'm a family man - I run a family business. Location: Wilson, NC	This is a good one. The first thing is: are you absolutely 100% sure that the fall/drop of the laptop is what caused this problem? Did it ever do this before you dropped it? Could it be coincidence? A software issue like you are having seems kind of weird for having dropped the laptop. Can you get into Safe Mode? You have to hit one of the "F" keys to do so. I believe it varies per model. Try to get into Safe Mode - let us know if you can! __________________ Off the record, on the q.t., and very hush-hush.

04-13-2009, 09:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	was it on when you dropped it? Sounds to me like some data got damaged on the hard drive. go here: Hiren's BootCD 9.7: Download Hiren's BootCD 9.7 and download the free hiren's boot cd. Burn the ISO to a disc and boot your laptop with it, then run one of the physical hard drive tests to make sure you didn't do anything worse than data damage. Assuming it comes up clean, you're probably gonna have to reinstall Vista.

04-13-2009, 10:04 AM	#4 (permalink)
Rekna Junkie	You likely damaged some vital system files. You need to run chkdisk on the drive. You may want to try booting into safe mode to do this or using your windows install CD. If chkdisk doesn't fix it you can install your OS over top of the old one without formatting (this will keep your data, but you will have to reinstall programs and such).