Okay, so, friend of mine's laptop is very much dead, but I'm trying to figure out quite what is and isn't wrong with it (if for no other reason than to sell out the parts that do work to get her some $$).

It's a Dell Inspiron 8000.

I'm *fairly* sure the harddrive has gone, but not completely sure of that fact.
Upon attempted bootup, It displays the "dell" screen, however the colors are all funky, then the screen goes completely black (I dont know if the vid card or the screen itself should be held at fault, i do not see dead pixels however). I hear 2 beeps, then it just wants to sit there.


I realize that *isn't*a lot of information, but any advice on what to do next to try and further diagnose what is/isn't working?

1/13/2006 11:18:12 AM

I had an inspiron 8000 once. Purchased July 2002, dead by July 2004. Hard drive died after about a year. Power control system was crippled after about a year and a half, only worked when plugged in. Have you tried loading the setup screen?

1/13/2006 12:13:18 PM

u can try hookin the laptop up to a monitor to rule out the video card/monitor problem of the laptop. if u get the same thing on the external monitor than more than likely it is the HDD.

1/13/2006 12:33:35 PM

Lady, whatever you do, make sure you order through Dell Small Business. If ANYTHING goes wrong and its under warranty, they will ship out a replacement same/next day. If its Dell Home, they'll pretty much tell you to kiss their ass.

And do test the system thorougly ... I'm attempting to repair my fiancees old laptop so its still usable.

1/13/2006 6:49:29 PM

My Dell Inspirion had a Dell diagnostic utility that could test the entire system. I think it was some function key to push as soon as you power it on. Do a google search and you might find what I am talking about.

1/13/2006 11:08:52 PM

IF you don't want to mess with it anymore then I'll buy it from you...my wife has an 8000 and it seems like it's on it's last leg. I figure buying a used one for parts will be cheaper then buying a new laptop for what she uses it for. PM me if interested...include price and maybe we can work out a deal.

1/13/2006 11:16:32 PM

Perlith- I know, that's how i got my desktop when i first came to state ages ago. But thx for relaying that.


Thanks all for the info, I'll see where I get. If it cannot be fixed, yes, it will be sold. I'm going to do a bit of research on prices as, like i said, This isn't technically my laptop and the money wont be going to me.

1/14/2006 12:04:44 AM

Let me know if you want to end up selling it.

1/15/2006 11:50:29 PM