My FX705 powers up with blank screen

[victwenty]

Hello
For some reason, I shut down my laptop a few days ago as per normal. Last night, I turn it on and am just left at a blank screen. The Sony logo doesnt even appear. The power light is on and I can hear the fan working but that is it.
Can anyone help? I saw another thread here that sounded similar where someone took the panel off to see where the RAM sits and then got something like this.
Has my Hard Drive had it? In the worse case scenario, could I hook it in it;s current state up to my desk top to access the info on the Hard Drive?
Dear oh dear.. I havent backed up for the past 4 months either .. bugger
Any ideas would be appreciated!
thanks!

[kee-lo_]

Hi Vic

Try reseating the RAM, you might find it's the one that isn't working.

As for hooking it up to a desktop, yes, you can by taking it out of the laptop and buying a 2.5" enclosure

[victwenty]

Hey - thanks for getting back - with 2 options of hope !
Re-sitting the RAM - you mean take off the plate at the back and take the RAM out and put it back in? I've never looked at it - I suppose it will be one line / board of RAM?
I am just guessing it might be that because of a similar thread. Perhaps it might be something more serious!
Will try this first and let you know
Thanks again!

[victwenty]

OK - this is just strange.
So, I check the RAM - replace it etc. No joy.
I leave it turned on all night with the power light on and fan whirring.
Wake up in the morning, hold down the power button to turn it off, then press the power button again and voila - the Sony logo appears - we are back !
THEN, later I am on the Internet and the screen freezes up.
I have to hold the power button down to turn it off. I turn it on again and guess what? Yep - back to square one - blank screen, fan whirring. SO - I go through the whole process again! I remember a similar problem a while back with it freezing on me. I updated the BIOS and that seemed to fix it.
Not sure why it is playing up again though. Do you think it is a BIOS problem? Shall I try the BIOS update again?
I cannot go on using it like this. I have it whirring away now. Will have to try it in the morning. It's almost as if the long period of it being turned on is "re-setting" it. As a foot note when I do force it off and turn on again, I get a blank DOS screen saying something like "irregular shut down, press F1 to continue or blah blah".
If anyone can shed any light please do !

[kee-lo_]

Sounds like something isn't quite right on the motherboard

[jammold]

It does sound like to me like broken solder joints around the memory slots themselves (and reseating RAM can temporarily correct that problem).

The problem would manifest itself when these joints get warm (expansion and contraction of solder joints can cause them the break).

Either way you should get this unit sent off to Sony for them to repair it for you.

Their turn around time can be as long as 6 weeks (or even longer) so be very patient and be persistent with them. If you get no answers while they repair it then PLEASE bug them until they do give you an answer (but be nice of course).

[kee-lo_]

The cost factor has to be considered too James.

BTW good to see you

[victwenty]

*gulp* How much do we think?

[jammold]

Well if the laptop is less than one year old then it should be repaired by Sony without issue, however if it is older than one year then take it to a competant laptop repair specialist.

Under guarantee repairs if the laptop is less than one year old are free and generally if the problem is not repairable Sony will give you a new laptop to the same or similar specification (or better if the model is discontinued).

If its older than a year a good Laptop repair store should be able to diagnose and resolder any broken joints for a modest fee (assuming proken joints was the problem).

I appologise for the fact I do not know the best stores to contact for laptop repair - but Google is your friend there.

BTW: Kee-Lo it is nice to see you too. Its nice to be back.:smileygrin:

[kee-lo_]

Yell.co.uk is also good
Sony like to bump up prices