The laptop starts with a blue screen error after memory upgrade.

Possible cause:

1. Memory not seated correctly.
2. Bad memory module.
3. Bad memory slot on motherboard.

Possible troubleshooting steps and repair solution:

I assume that you are using the right memory type and size for your laptop.

1. It’s possible the memory module was installed incorrectly. Try reconnecting the module. Remove it from the slot and install back. Test the laptop.

2. Check out all contacts on the memry module. Make sure all contacts are clean. Take a look into the memory slot. Make sure there is no junk inside the memory slot.

3. If you installed new memory module instead of the old one, try installing the old memory module back and test the laptop. If the laptop works fine with the old module but not the new one, it’s possible that your new memory module is defective. You can test memory with Memtest86+ utility (google it).

4. If you installed new memory module into the emptly slot, it’s possible that the slot itself is defective. Move the new memory module into another slot and test the laptop. If the laptop works fine when installed into the second slot, the first memory slot could be bad. In this case you’ll have to replace the motherboard or use the laptop with only one memory module installed into the good slot.

The laptop starts with a blue screen error after it was dropped.
The laptop turns on as normal, starts loading Windows, displays a blue screen error and reboots on its own.

Possible cause:

1. Memory module popped out from the slot.
2. Hard drive got disconnected from the motherboard.
3. Hard drive failed.

Possible troubleshooting steps and repair solution:

If the laptop stopped booting properly after it was dropped, check the memory modules first. It’s possible that one of the memory modules popped out and not making good contact with the memory slot. Try reconnecting both memory modules.

Also, take a look at the connection between the hard drive and motherboard. Make sure the hard drive is plugged all the way into the connector. It’s possible that the hard drive got partially disconnected from the motherboard.  Try reconnecting the hard drive.

It’s possible that the hard drive was damaged. Run hard drive diagnostic utility and if it fails test replace the hard drive.

The laptop starts loading Windows, gives a blue screen error and reboots by itself. On the next start the same problem occurs again.

Possible cause:

1. Software related failure.
2. Faulty memory module.
3. Faulty hard drive.

Possible troubleshooting steps and repair solution:

Most likely this problem is related to corrupted software, memory module failure or hard drive failure.

1. Turn on the laptop and press the F8 key when logo appears on the screen. You’ll see the boot menu.
- Try using Last Known Good Configuration.
- Try boot the laptop in Safe Mode and if you can do that, go to the system restore and revert your system to the previous restore point.

2. Test laptop memory. As memory test utility you can use Memtest86+. If you are getting error messages, replace the faulty memory module.

3. Test laptop hard drive. You’ll find many different hard drive tests on the UBCD disc (Ultimate Boot CD). Just google UBCD. Replace the hard drive if it fails test.
I usually use Hitachi’s drive fitness test, it works well with many different brands. You’ll find this test on UBCD or just google Hitachi DFT.

4. If memory and hard drive passed test, try reinstalling the operating system from scratch.

No bootable device found or detected message appears on the screen when laptop starts.

Possible cause:

1. Hard drive disconnected from motherboard.
2. Hard drive is blank.
3. Failed hard drive.
4. Motherboard failure.

Possible troubleshooting steps and repair solution:

If no bootable device error message appears on startup, it means the laptop cannot see the hard drive, the hard drive is blank, the hard drive failed or the motherboard has a failed controller.

1. Access the hard drive and make sure it’s properly connected to the motherboard. Try reconnecting the hard drive. Remove the hard drive from the laptop and install back in. Test the laptop.

2. You can get this message after the hard drive replacement. You can see the error message because the hard drive is blank and the laptop cannot boot from this drive. Install the operating system from the laptop recovery disc or installation CD.

3. It’s possible you getting this error message because the hard drive failed.
Listen for the hard drive noises when the laptop starts. If the laptop doesn’t spin, most likely you have a failed hard drive.
Also, you can remove the hard drive from the laptop and test it in an external USB enclosure. Connect the enclosure to another working computer and try to access the drive.

4. If you can access the hard drive and it works fine when connected to another computer (via USB enclosure or hard drive adapter) but doesn’t work when installed into the laptop, most likely this is laptop motherboard related failure. Apparently the motherboard has a failed hard drive controller. In this case the motherboard has to be replaced.

The laptop starts with a PXE-E61 media test failure error on a black screen. The operating system will not load.

Possible cause:

1. Hard drive is blank.
2. Poor connection between hard drive and motherboard.
3. Failed hard drive.
4. Failed hard drive controller on motherboard.

Possible troubleshooting steps and repair solution:

The problem is related to the hard drive. The laptop displays this error because it cannot see the hard drive or data on the hard drive.

1. If you get this error message after the hard drive replacement, simply reinstall the operating system and it should be fixed. Most likley the new hard drive is blank and the laptop cannot boot from it.

2. Enter the BIOS setup menu and find out if the hard drive is listed in there. If the hard drive is not listed, try reconnecting the drive, maybe it’s not making good contact with the motherboard. Unplug the hard drive from the motherboard and plug it back in.

3. If the hard drive is listed (or not listed) in the BIOS, remove it from the laptop and test in an external USB enclosure. Connect the enclosure to another working computer. Find out if the hard drive spins or detected by the OS when connected to another computer. If the drive doesn’t spin and not detected by the OS, you have a bad hard drive.

4. If the hard drive works fine while connected to another comuter, but doesn’t work when installed into the laptop, most likely there is a problem with the controller on the motherboard. The motherboard has to be replaced.

Non-system disk or disk error message appears on the screen when you start the laptop.

Possible cause:

1. The hard drive is blank. There is no OS installed.
2. Bad connection between hard drive and motherboard.
3. Failed hard drive.
4. Failed motherboard.

Possible troubleshooting steps and repair solution:

1. You can get this message after the hard drive replacement. The message appears if the hard drive is blank and there is no operating system installed on the drive. Install the operating system and it should fix the problem.

2. It’s possible that the hard drive got disconnected from the motherboard and the laptop cannot see the hard drive. Access the hard drive and try reconnecting it to the motherboard. Test the laptop after that.

3. It’s possible that you have a failed hard drive. Remove the hard drive and test it outside the laptop. You can install the hard drive into an external USB enclosure and connect to another working computer. If the hard drive will not spin or appear in My Computer, most likely you have a bad drive. Replace the hard drive with a new one.

4. If you you are getting the same error message even after the hard drive replacement, most likley it’s the motherboard problem. You’ll have to replace the motherboard.

The laptop displays S.M.A.R.T. error on startup. You can bypass the error message by pressing the F1 key and load the operating system, but on the next reboot the S.M.A.R.T. error appears again.

Possible cause:

Hard drive is failing.

Possible troubleshooting steps and repair solution:

If the laptop started displaying S.M.A.R.T. error on sturtup, it means the hard drive is failing. You should back up all inportant data from the hard drive as soon as possible and replace the failing hard drive with a new one.