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Unresponsive Computer

The laptop does not respond to keyboard or mouse input.

Faulty Device Connected

Remove all devices connected to the laptop and any disks located in the disk drive. If this solves the issue, plug each external device back into the laptop one-by-one in order to identify the faulty device.

Interfering Software Application

If your laptop is not responding to input, a software application may be causing the issue. Hold the Alt key on the keyboard and press F4 to attempt to close the current application. Alternatively, press Ctrl Alt Del at the same time and click Task Manager. Under the Processes tab, select the application that appears to be unresponsive and click End Task.

Noisy Fan

The laptop produces an abnormally loud fan noise.

Clogged Vents

First, check to ensure the vents are allowing air to the inside of the computer and are not dirty or blocked. Clogged vents can cause the fans to overwork, causing the loud noise.

Dust Buildup

If the noise persists after cleaning the vents, remove the back cover to allow access to the fans. Pinpoint which fan is making extra noise, and blow out any dust using a keyboard cleaner. Should the noise still continue, a new fan may need to be installed.

Disc Drive Not Working

The laptop fails to read discs properly.

Scratched Disc

First, make sure that it is the disc drive that is not working, and not the disc you are using. A scratched disc can cause the disc drive to not play properly.

Incorrect Driver

Right-click on the windows icon at the bottom-left of your screen and click Device Manager. If the CD-ROM device has warnings or exclamation points next to it, it is likely a software issue that is keeping it from working properly. To fix these issues, delete the CD-ROM device from the device manager and soft-reboot the computer. By rebooting the computer, the CD-ROM drivers will be reinstalled.

Defective CD-ROM Device

Right-click on the windows icon at the bottom-left of your screen and click Device Manager. Under the devices, find the CD-ROM device. If there is no CD-ROM device, the drive was likely installed improperly or needs replacing.

Laptop Will Not Turn On

The laptop will not respond when clicking the power button.

Laptop Needs A Power Reset

Unplug all devices, remove the battery and unplug the charger. Hold the power button down for 15 seconds and then put the battery back into the laptop. Plug the charger in and attempt to boot the computer. If the laptop fails to turn on, you may need to replace your battery.

Defective Charger

Your laptop charger may have failed from prolonged use. Check to see if the charging indicator on the bottom-right side of the laptop lights up when the charger is plugged in. If the indicator does not turn on, you may need to replace your charging cable or the AC adapter located within the laptop.

Defective Hinges

The hinges of the laptop are loose, causing the top half (screen) to wobble.

Loose Hinge Screws

First, begin by flipping your laptop over. Remove the rubber caps that keep your laptop seated above the table. Underneath are screws that hold down the hinges to the laptop. Ensure that they are sufficiently tightened. If the problem persists, the hinges may need to be replaced.

No Internet Connection

The laptop fails to connect to the internet via Wi-Fi or LAN.

Defective Driver

The driver for your wireless card or LAN card may be improperly installed. Right-click on the windows icon at the bottom-left of your screen and click Device Manager. Expand the Network Adapters section. Right click on your Ethernet or Wi-Fi device and click Uninstall. Click OK and reboot your laptop to reinstall the driver.

Expired IP Address

Sometimes your network card is set to obtain an IP address automatically but fails to properly obtain one. To alleviate this issue, click on the Windows icon at the bottom right of your screen and type in cmd. In the window that opens, type ipconfig /release and press enter. Then type ipconfig /renew and press enter. Your laptop will be assigned a new IP address from the DHCP server.

Stephen Perreira

Member since: 09/27/17

808 Reputation

6 Guides authored

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Cal Poly, Team S8-G6, Banghart Fall 2017 Member of Cal Poly, Team S8-G6, Banghart Fall 2017

CPSU-BANGHART-F17S8G6

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