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General discussion

Gray screen on startup

by bedat11 Apr 30, 2009 8:06AM PDT

Laptop: Sony VAIO VGN-FS680/W

When I power up my laptop instead of the usual Sony and Windows startup screen, the screen is gray. After a minute or so the screen starts to flicker and eventually returns to normal. Sometimes I can hear something that sounds similar to gears churning faster and faster when the screen begins to flicker.

This happens on a regular basis. It has not from my opinion affected the performance of the computer. Is this something I should worry about later on?

Discussion is locked

2 Posts

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Disc in drive?

by deniceels May 4, 2009 10:25PM PDT

Is there by chance a CD/DVD in the optical drive? Possible reason for unusual startup is when there's attached usb drive/external harddisk and optical drive and the system is set to detect from external sources before the internal harddisk during startup, thus leading to slower startup.

Flickering of the screen may be there's some slightly loose connection of the display ribbon internally. Have it checked by the technician, although it's not a big issue, but to prevent a surprise when one day you startup your system, finding it without any display (despite it still actually fine).

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Prepare for the end.

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator May 4, 2009 10:46PM PDT

"The end is nigh."

http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/sony-vaio-fs680-notebook/4505-3121_7-31386636.html

This looks to be your common aging and soon to die laptop issue. There are thousands out there like this so gird yourself and be ready for the day it dies.

Why do I write this? Most laptops are 2 to 5 year designs and this is a 2005 model so it's about time for it to have an issue and just fail.

What to do in preparation for the end. Take whatever steps you need to get over the end that will happen. Then make sure that no file is left without a backup. I can't count how many times I've removed laptop drives to get files back last year.
Bob

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