Notebook - No POST / No Video

Use this checklist if video is not displayed when the notebook is started, or POST fails. POST (Power On Self Test) refers to activity that occurs immediately after turning on the computer, and prior to an operating system starting. During POST, the computer is preparing itself to allow an operating system to start.

During a normal POST you will observe the following activities:

  • Fans and hard drives begin to spin
  • LEDs light
  • Splash screen is displayed
  • BIOS setup can be selected

Typical Symptoms

  • No video
  • POST hangs or displays error messages

Notes

  • A brightly lit area can affect the ability to complete some of the listed procedures
  • Perform these procedures in an inside location with normal lighting
  • Position yourself directly in front of the display

  1. On a convertible notebook, make sure the power button lock is unlocked. Refer to your User's Guide for location of the power button lock.

  2. Make sure that the internal display is selected. On most notebooks, switching between the internal display and the external display is done by pressing Fn+F4. Reference your User's Guide for specific model procedures.

  3. Make sure notebook has power. To check computer for power, make sure at least one of the following occurs:
    • Fans start up
    • Front panel LEDs light up

    If there is no evidence of power, refer to the Notebook - No Power checklist.

  4. Drain stored power.

    1. Remove the AC adapter connector.

    2. Remove the battery. Refer to Product pages for specific model procedures.

    3. Hold the power button for 10 seconds.

    4. Reconnect the AC adapter connector.

    5. Restart the notebook.

  5. Connect an external monitor.

    1. If available, connect an external monitor to the notebook, and select that monitor.

    2. On most notebooks, switching between the internal display and the external display is done by pressing Fn+F4. Reference the User's Guide for specific model procedures.

    3. If video is displayed using a known good external monitor, the internal display has probably failed. Contact technical support.

  6. Check LCD display backlight.

    1. Turn computer on.

    2. Shine a flashlight on screen from various angles and in different areas of LCD display.

    3. If you see faint images of activity, text and/or graphics on screen, contact technical support.

  7. Disconnect external devices.

    1. Make sure the notebook is turned off.

    2. If applicable, disconnect the notebook from a port replicator or docking station.

    3. Disconnect all externally connected devices.

    4. Remove any cards from the PC card slots and memory card slots. Remove any CD/DVD disc from the optical drives.

    5. Restart the notebook.

    6. If this action restores video:
      • Add devices one at a time (power down, add a device, and then power up) until you discover the device that is causing the problem.
      • If a port replicatoror docking station had been used, remove all devices connected to it. Add devices back one at a time per the above comments.

  8. Remove and reinstall memory. If memory was recently added to the notebook, remove the additional memory and test.

    Note: Reference the User's Guide for memory removal instructions.

  9. Shut down the computer, and then remove the drives. Reference the User's Guide for specific procedures.

  10. On older notebooks, push the hardware reset (if applicable). Reference the User's Guide for specific procedures.

    If following the above procedures did not resolve your problem, please contact Gateway through one of the following methods: