Help with laptop!!

[Sisco22]

I am having trouble with my KDS Laptop....it will power up and i can hear the fans spinning, but there is nothing on the screen, what could be wrong with it?

[Budfred]

Welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif

Well, it could be lots of things. It could simply be a failure of the screen, so you can check that by hooking it up to an external monitor. If it works, you may need to look at getting the screen fixed or replace the computer.

It could be that the motherboard or CPU has died, that you have a nasty virus or some other malware that is shutting things down or some other problem. Post more info about the computer and we can narrow down the possibilities.

What is the model number and specs?? Have you dropped it or done anything else that might have damaged it?? Have you recently installed new software and/or hardware?? Do you do any downloading from the internet, especially with a program like Kazaa?? Any additional detail you provide may make it more likely that we will be able to help.

[Mark Miller]

Just a thought,
Have you tried to brighten screen with keyboard buttons?
Ya never know!
Mark:)

[Sisco22]

Ok , it is a KDS Valiant 6481 CiPTD...PIII800 14.1screen, dvd, floppy, network and modem built in on mini pci...128 megs.
I bought it off ebay and the guy was retired and was traveling and didn't have time to mess with it and i bought it thinking i might could fix it...i haven't had any software installed nor had it running all the way...the fans will come on..but nuthin comes on the screen, can you help? Thanks

[Steve]

Does it complete POST? Any beeps? Have you tried to start it with a boot disk?

[Sisco22]

Yeah, it beeps once and that is it..it will sound like it is starting up and then it sounds like it shuts down....but the fan is still running. Any ideas?
Thanks

[Budfred]

I hope you didn't pay too much for it, it is likely that at least the screen is a lost cause.... Have you tried an external monitor???

[Sisco22]

Nope...haven't tried it yet...i will in just a second..let me try and i will let you know...if you can think of anything else...please let me know...thanks!!

[Steve]

That it gives you a single beep, indicating that it is completing POST, is a good thing. The problem could be in either the motherboard (onboard video?) or the screen. Checking with an external monitor will help you decide which.

[Sisco22]

OK...sorry it took so long...it sounds like it is starting up...and then a second later it sounds like it just shuts off...can you think of anything...i have the top off of it..and looking at the inside...and where could i find the dip switch settings for it? thanks

[mjc]

Battery or mains? or both?

[Sisco22]

that is on both...it does the same thing either way i try it..either on the battery by itself or on the charger...any ideas?

[Budfred]

What happened when you tried the external monitor??? If you still didn't get a screen, you may be out of luck...

[Sisco22]

didn't have a screen either...im wondering if the jumpers on the motherboard are set right....any idea on where i can find the settings?
thanks

[Budfred]

Here (http://www.kdscomputers.com/product_detail.asp?prod=107&sub=n) is some info, but I didn't see a manual for it. Are you trying to set jumper/dip switches to enable an external monitor?? That is most likely done with a key on the keyboard.... I doubt that the former owner changed any jumpers/dip switches that would have disabled the screen, most people are afraid to open a laptop at all.....

[Sisco22]

cool...im still looking trying to find out what kind of motherboard is in it...maybe i can find some info that way...i don't understand what it could be...

[Budfred]

"i don't understand what it could be..."

If you mean what the problem could be with the display, it would only take one fall from a few feet to ruin the screen and certainly the video card could have failed as well. If you have never had a screen, it could be any number of problems before you bought the thing.... As I said earlier, I hope you didn't pay too much for it.....:rolleyes: