Blank/Black screen.

[xenia95]

Playing poker on my laptop at midday when suddenly the screen went black/blank.
I have had a blue screen before which I overcame but never blank.
It is a Dell Inspiron 6400.
Technical support is difficult for me to navigate.
Their suggestion was to press Fn at the same time as starting up.
Did this and followed their instructions and after 5 screens with the 3 lights flashing I got a message.
Looked it up and it said "Motherboard Error".
Does this mean that my laptop is fvcked?
Anyone able to help or do I need a new laptop?

[block]

If your motherboard isn't registering at all then its probably fvcked.

Motherboard can usually be replaced but I personally have never replaced one in a laptop.

Is it still under warranty? If it is get back onto dell and tell them the report you're getting.

[xenia95]

Hi block
When I entered my service tag it immediately came up "Out of Warranty"
Thanks for the reply, I had better order a new one with a web cam included.
I do like to sit at my table in the living room, play poker, watch the television and keep an eye on the school and its grounds.
Can't do that from my desktop.

[s3an82]

Hi Andrew,

Bad news about the laptop.... have you tried using google and entering the error code and message? Normally sends you to different forums where all sorts of people have the same problems and sometimes solutions. Might work, might not. Goods times if its does. Good luck!

[block]

I've had a look around on some different forums, in particular Dell.

One tip which was a motherboard related problem was to remove the battery for a few hours so the laptop had no power to it at all. Then put the battery back in and try to boot it up.

If your motherboard is goosed your looking at a couple of hundred quid apparently for a new one. Probably better off buying a new laptop. I take it if the tag says its out of warranty it is over 1 year old.

[xenia95]

Yes, it's over a year old.
Probably about 3 so obsolete.
I must admit that it is in a disgusting condition.
Hardly see the keys for dirt, tobacco (I roll my own), ash and dog hairs.
I did remove the battery and power lead as suggested by Dell before doing the Fn and powerup keys together.
Motherboards are expensive. I have looked.
Anyone want a fvcked Dell Inspiron 6400 laptop for free.
But you have to collect.
FORGET THAT.
I'm starting to ramble again.
Sorry.
When I bought it I messed up the order and had 2 delivered.
Gave the other one to my Grandson for his 13th birthday.
Don't know how he abused it but the keyboard letters started to come loose.
For his 14th birthday I bought a new keyboard and fitted it for him.
2 months later the letter "H" came loose.
I'm more practical than computer literate.
They don't respond quickly enough for me, so I get into trouble.
Downloads/Uploads I can't wait.
Perhaps I can cannibalise mine to fix his unless his parents have bought him another.(Son-in-law is one of these City banker types)
I love my family
I love my dog
I hate computers when the don't work.
Thanks for the replies guys, especially block, better than Dell.