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Flashing Lock keys on boot up?

post #1 of 17
2/3/08 at 9:54pm
Thread Starter 
i've got a new problem that just started today. if i turn the pc off, when i turn back on, no boot up, no chance to press f2 f12 f8 nothing. the only thing that happens is the disk read light stays on, and the caps lock and looks like system lock lights keep flashing. the system will then eventually power off. i removed the battery (the laptop was always plugged into power) and it started. i then placed the battery back and it started normally. anyone have any idea what this means? thanks.
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post #2 of 17
2/3/08 at 10:38pm
Usually means the battery is crapping out.
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post #3 of 17
2/4/08 at 6:56pm
Thread Starter 
well, they are sending a tech out to come replace my motherboard. apparantly that code means its not reading the sodimms. *sigh* one day i'll be able to use this computer! lol.
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post #4 of 17
2/4/08 at 7:13pm
I think it's the driver issue.

Try different drivers.

My system used to hang alot like didn't even boot up some times, and was a normal thing when I was on Dell drivers.

Try different drivers from laptopvideo2go.
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post #5 of 17
2/4/08 at 7:44pm
Thread Starter 
i would try different ones, but i cant boot up at all. the system just blinks the lights, then powers off. i may try them once i get back on though. thanks1
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post #6 of 17
2/4/08 at 8:52pm
Just hope you are not missing hard drive driver which you have to install prior to OS install.
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post #7 of 17
2/4/08 at 8:57pm
Thread Starter 
oh i hope not! lol that would suck. i'm really thinking the motherboard may fix this. i was able to use it just fine, and then all of a sudden it started. its not even trying to access the hard drive at all during boot up.
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post #8 of 17
2/4/08 at 9:01pm
Did you install matrix driver before OS installation?

Not sure about XP, but with Vista, you have to install it prior to OS installation.
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post #9 of 17
2/4/08 at 9:25pm
Thread Starter 
i didnt with the xp installation.
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post #10 of 17
2/4/08 at 11:17pm
That's prolly what it is then.

I'm pretty sure there's an option for XP also right before the OS installation.
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post #11 of 17
2/5/08 at 1:03am
Thread Starter 
you think so? even with the error code? hmmmm....that could be interesting, kinda, *sigh* if it is here comes another reinstall. i guess i'll find out for sure when they bring the new motherboard out. of course its not even booting to the solid state drive with vista and all the initial drivers on it either, it never has a chance to access the hard drives, it just sticks with the power on, and flashes.
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post #12 of 17
2/5/08 at 1:49am
Can you format with the OS disk?

I would try that route first rather than field tech coming to butcher the system.
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post #13 of 17
2/5/08 at 2:23am
Thread Starter 
nope, i cant. as soon as the power gets pushed it stops. i never get the dell screen at all
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post #14 of 17
2/5/08 at 2:45am
Jeez, GL man.
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post #15 of 17
2/5/08 at 3:03am
I have to disagree with everyone else. This does not sound like drivers at all to me. Your system most likely isn't even posting meaning it isnt able to boot ANYTHING be it SSD, flash drive, floppy, you name it. You could prove a number of ways such as unplugging the HD and booting to USB w/ a given autoexec.bat.
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post #16 of 17
2/5/08 at 3:38am
Thread Starter 
yeah, thats what the tech was saying. i guess if it booted to at least the xps screen, then it ruled out bad memory or motherboard. but i cant even get that far. sometimes i can, sometimes i cant. when i can, it seems like my intital resolution is changed, then it goes back to normal once i'm in the desktop. but then when that happens, it moves all my icons around. i'm hoping a new motherboard will fix all my issues. the tech (which i'm not real sure if this is true) said that this motherboard problem should also correct the issues i was having in vista. i dont really know. i guess time will only tell. thanks for all the advice though!
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post #17 of 17
6/9/09 at 3:40pm
What ended up happening. im having the same problem.
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