Right, I tried the fixes suggested in my recent thread, and no luck.

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=125741

So, it seems it is either going to have to be junked or fixed. Apart from the screen blanking fault it's a good computer, and more to the point, has lots of good stuff on it, that I want to keep.

As well as the good stuff, it also has a lot of personal stuff (nothing very lurid, I keep that on a seperate drive) but still stuff I don't want strangers reading.

Would it be feasible to remove the hard drive, and then get someone to look at it? I know I can ask the repair people that question, but know the answer I get here will be unbiased.

just remove the Hard drive and put it in a usb caddy from ebay - about a fiver. Then plug it into another computer and copy the files you want off it.

is there any pattern to the screen blanking out? i.e. happens when a certain application is run, laptop on for X minutes, you are pressing keys or running some device at the time, move/adjust the screen? tapping the case near the front of the screen have any affect?

Are you able to recreate the blanking?

Does the backlight go out too?

Screen is all black?

Some laptops have a little pin that turns off the screen when the screen is folded down - if yours has one, can you play with it so see the effect?


re: hard disc data. the hard disc should be removable from the laptop and then as ^^^ says, fitted to USB caddy and when plugged via USB, should be readable by the laptop..... but you would need to be able to boot up the laptop hence I would imagine you still need a hard disc in the laptop itself.

If your hard disc is 2.5 inch SATA, then I have a caddy I can lend you or you may even want to buy.

I got it from ebay Honk Konk butt hey sent me wrong colour - (silver) - it would have cost me more in postage than the caddy is worth so it is suplus; and has been tested so I know it is working.



now available in UK for peanuts oh well

or for 1/2 above price from HK


I should point out the my case is better as it has been modified so that the two sides are parallel - they seem to be made with slightly bowed in sides.

[Edited on 27/11/09 by 02GF74]

I know you won't want to hear this, but, if it's been a long time since it was installed, then maybe it's time for a fresh install. As O2GF4 suggested, copy all your files to a safe location and do a complete install. If this doesn't cure your problem and you're up for more investigating, my next suggestion is to experiment with your RAM chips. If there is 2 installed, remove one and try for a while. If there is no change, swap the RAM sticks around and try again. (If there is only one stick installed, you'll have to beg/borrow/legally aquire one to try). If all else fails after this, then I'd probably just buy a new laptop. But thats just me!

Good luck!

Thanks for the replies, chaps

The pattern of behaviour for the screen is that previously it would go black on a now and then basis, then it was doing it every 20 minutes or so, not it does it during the start up procedure.

Ive tried unplugging the memory sticks etc

There's two issues here, the first is the stuff on the hard drive and me wanting it, and the other is wanting the laptop working again. I have indeed bought a new laptop, complete with windows 7 which has charming features such as showing pdfs as a blank screen, and programs refusing to connect to the internet despite turning off firewalls etc, which is making it difficult to register stuff.

Anyway, back to the original question, is it ok to remove the hard drive and then put it in for repair?

I should add that when I connect a monitor, that goes blank as well

02, are you very far away from me?

BTW you can remove the hard drive for repair, but you would need to install a new drive and Operating System for diagnosis.

Greg.