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General discussion

Windows boot up flickering screen+hang

Jul 7, 2010 9:39PM PDT

Hi i would like some support for this problem im facing with my windows

info:
Laptop: dell studio 1557
OS: Win 7 Home Premium 64 bit

Description: Windows was working fine but after a restart when the blue animation screen of "Please Wait" appears, the system hangs (i can still move the cursor though) and the screen flickers continuously.! =(

I tried the following to no avail:
1) boot from "last known good config" - Same problem
2) try to restore to an earlier restore point - recently installed my windows, no restore
point detected
3) try to repair startup - no errors detected but booting into windows still same
problem
4) tried to repair windows from the windows 7 dvd - still not working

Windows is booting into safe mode which would mean that there is some driver/software related problem.

I am in the process of uninstalling all drivers and then ill try booting into windows, if it works ill reinstall all drivers again.

I dont want to have to reinstall my os because its painful having to reinstall everything all over again ...

Thanks in advance guys, much appreciated.

Discussion is locked

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Back to dell.
Jul 8, 2010 6:26AM PDT

The forums have some unsettling reports of troubles with some Dell i7 laptops. Dell appears to be changing motherboards.
Bob

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troubles?
Jul 8, 2010 7:35AM PDT

What troubles have they reported..? Any specifics?

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You could google that.
Jul 8, 2010 7:57AM PDT

Similar to your report to black screens. Dell changes the motherboard from what I read. If you need more about your failed machine be sure to ask dell for more details when they fix yours.
Bob

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fixing
Jul 8, 2010 8:08AM PDT

well the only problem with that being im reinstalling the OS myself. Im not even calling dell technical support regarding this matter.

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Are you using Dell's supplied OS and drivers?
Jul 8, 2010 8:11AM PDT

If not you are going to feel pain finding Dell support. At the very least try the Dell supplied OS and drivers and see if the machine works. If it does try your OS and Dell's issued drivers. If a driver causes it to fail, don't install that one next time.
Bob

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ps.
Jul 8, 2010 9:01AM PDT

The stories about the dell i7 and best buy and more fueled my initial response. This is why you want to use Dell's factory supplied image to be sure it's not some driver you found.

Also I find the BIOS versions matter again as Windows 7 arrived. You saw this when XP came out, again with Vista and many have forgotten this issue since it's been a long time since the last new windows.

What can really cause folk grief is the "it worked before" thought. Those folk often end up at service counters to reload the OS. It does not matter it worked before as updates install, it is different.

I'd see if Dell has a new BIOS and stick to Dell's issued drivers and failing that Dell's issued OS and if all that fails, Dell needs to fix the machine.
Bob