R51e don't boot. Dark screen, continuous beep.

[wadimaluf]

Hi all,

I have an R51e which suddenly stopped working. Dark screen (no backlight), power icon would illuminate, and a continuous end less beep. Just one continuous beep.

I tried connecting an external monitor but still the same result.

I don't know exactly what to try next. I guess it's possible my motherboard is dead, but just want to make sure.

Any idea what should I try to fix it?

Thanks.

[axur-delmeria]

Try removing the RAM. If the beep pattern doesn't change, then the system board has probably gone bad.

[wadimaluf]

Hi, thanks for the reply and sorry for the delay.

I tried removing the RAM and still getting the same continuous beep . Guess the board is dead, right?

I think I will have to decide between getting a new system board or selling my R51e and get a new laptop. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[RealBlackStuff]

Unfortunately your R51e is now only good as a (worthless) doorstopper.
Look for a 14.1" T400 or T410 (both 16:10)
or 14.1" T420 (16:9)
or 15.4" T500 (16:10)
or 15.6" T510 or T520 (both 16:9)
Look for Intel graphics (and avoid the T***s models).

[rkawakami]

If it's worth your time, I'd do the following just to be sure:

- visually inspect the USB ports, looking for any damage (bent or twisted pins; broken connector)
- take apart the system enough to re-seat the CPU; twist the locking cam to the "open" position, remove/reinstall the CPU, re-lock the CPU in its socket. Or, if you have a known good CPU, try that one.
- remove all easily removable hardware; memory, hard drive, Ultrabay device, MiniPCI card, any PCMCIA (PC Card) card(s), USB device(s); basically everything that can plug into the motherboard. You will only need the CPU and heatsink/fan assembly to start with.
- if possible, install a known good keyboard; yours might have a stuck key
- attempt to boot; if you still get the continuous beep, then your motherboard is probably gone. If, however, you get the 1-3-3-1 beep sequence, then there still might be life in the board. Install one memory module and try booting again. If both the continuous beep and 1-3-3-1 sequence is gone and the system boots normally, run a memory diagnostic program like memtest86+ on that module. If it passes (probably takes about 15 minutes per 128MB), then shut the system down, install one more hardware item (try this order: MiniPCI, Ultrabay device, hard drive), and try booting. If/when you get the continuous beeping, then the last hardware item you re-installed is defective.