How Can I Fix My Basically Dead Computer?

A computer is said to be dead when it fails to power on or function despite your several attempts to turn it on. As long as your laptop is not suffering from the aftermath of extensive physical damage, this post will explore the steps to help you fix your dead computer and bring it back to life.

Without further ado, let’s get started.

How to fix a dead computer

Below are some ways you can fix your dead computer and bring it back to life:

Laptops and Residual Electricity

In most cases of dead computers, what happens is that your laptop does not initiate the startup process due to the detection of residual electricity on the motherboard or its components.

This safety mechanism prevents excessive electricity from overwhelming the laptop’s internal components. If your computer unexpectedly shuts down while in use, you may encounter this behavior when you attempt to turn it back on.

To resolve this issue, you can follow a straightforward procedure:

Begin by disconnecting the power cable from your laptop.
Locate the battery on your laptop and carefully remove it.
Press and hold the power button for approximately 30 seconds. This action helps discharge any residual electricity in the system.
Reinsert the battery into its slot and connect the power cable to your laptop.
Finally, attempt to restart the laptop and hope for a successful boot.

Check Power Supply

If your laptop fails to power on, another primary troubleshooting step is to inspect the AC adapter, the power cord.

Begin by ensuring that the adapter is correctly connected to the electrical socket. Next, carefully examine the adapter’s wire for any signs of damage or wear. If you notice any form of damage that may be interrupting the flow of electricity, it is strongly advised to replace the adapter promptly. It is crucial to use the appropriate wattage power supply when troubleshooting to ensure optimal test conditions.

For simplicity, we recommend you use the power cord provided by the laptop manufacturer. Generally, you can locate the voltage information on the back of the laptop or within its packaging. In the event that you have mistakenly been using an incorrect power supply for your laptop, try to replace it with the appropriate one.

To obtain a compatible AC adapter tailored to your laptop, you have two options. Firstly, you can contact your laptop manufacturer and request an AC adapter specifically designed for your model. Alternatively, you can explore local or online electronic stores to find a similar voltage adapter.

Check for Damaged Screen

If you have eliminated any power supply issues by replacing faulty AC adapters and your laptop still refuses to power on. It may indicate a problem with the laptop’s screen.

Here are the steps to assess the screen:

Begin by powering the laptop.
Observe whether the power indicator LED is illuminated.
Listen carefully for any sounds from the laptop, such as the fan running or other operational noises.
If you notice anything but the screen remains blank without displaying any content, chances are your laptop’s screen is defective and requires replacement.

In such a case, the best course of action is first to contact the laptop’s manufacturer for assistance. From there, you can book an appointment with an authorized service center for a consultation. While it is possible to replace the screen yourself, it is a challenging task, and we do not recommend doing so if you have no prior experience with similar DIY operations.

It’s important to note your laptop’s warranty status too. If you’re still covered, we recommend repairing it at an authorized service center. Attempting to replace the screen independently or through a third party may void the warranty.

Check for Incompatible Hardware or Faulty Driver

Incompatible hardware is another possible cause of your computer’s unresponsiveness. To investigate this phenomenon, first disconnect all external accessories, such as a mouse, keyboard, external monitor, or any other hardware from the laptop.

By removing these attachments, you’ll be able to determine whether any incompatible hardware is impeding the booting process of your laptop. After disconnecting all external accessories, try turning the laptop on once again. If the issue is incompatible hardware, then with any luck, the pc should come on. If not, it’ll be time to explore the software aspect of the issue, as a malfunctioning driver could be preventing your laptop from turning on properly during startup.

Running the laptop in safe mode will help you explore this possibility. Safe mode loads the Windows operating system with minimal generic Windows drivers and without any pre-installed applications. Thereby allowing you to identify if a problematic driver is causing the issue.

As the laptop is not turning on properly, it can be challenging to access Safe Mode directly. However, you can try the following steps to boot your computer into Safe Mode:

Start by turning off your laptop completely.
Wait for a few seconds to ensure that it’s completely powered off.
Press the power button to turn on your laptop.
As soon as you press the power button, start pressing the F8 key repeatedly. Some laptops may use a different key, such as F5 or Esc, so you can try those if F8 doesn’t work.

If your laptop continues to refuse to turn on even after attempting safe mode, there are likely driver-related issues affecting its functionality. Updating your PC Windows or installing the latest drivers provided by the manufacturer will fix the issue.

Change the battery

Having ruled out the possibility of compatibility or driver-related issue, the next most likely causative is a potentially dead battery.

The thing is, over time, laptop batteries can deteriorate, especially after several years of use. To check for this, open the laptop battery case and remove the battery. Refer to your computer manual on how to do this if you don’t already know how.

After removing the battery, clean the battery contacts, ensuring a clean and secure connection when reattaching it. Attempt to power on the laptop after unplugging the battery. If the laptop successfully turns on, there is likely a connector issue preventing it from booting. But if the issue persists, it may be a battery issue. Remove the battery case once again, and remove the battery. Then connect the laptop directly to a power source with the laptop adapter. Press the power button. If the computer comes on, it’s time to replace your laptop battery. Doing so should fix the issue.

Frequently Asked Questions on How to Fix a Dead Computer

Why is my PC on but not booting?

If your PC fails to boot correctly, it is possible that a defective motherboard, video card, or RAM module could be the underlying cause. To diagnose and test for hardware issues, you can utilize an Ultimate Boot CD. This CD comprises a selection of diagnostic and troubleshooting utilities designed to identify and potentially resolve hardware problems.

How do I force a Windows computer to start?

To force a Windows restart, press and hold the power button for approximately 10 seconds until the device powers off. Afterward, press the power button once more to turn on the device. Once you observe the initial indication that Windows has begun to start (such as the display of the manufacturer’s logo), proceed to hold down the power button again for about 10 seconds to power off the device.

How do I force my computer to start with a keyboard?

To initiate a restart with your computer keyboard, begin by pressing and holding the Alt key. While holding the Alt key, press and hold the F4 key. This combination of keys will prompt a menu to appear. From the menu, select the “Restart” option and then press the Enter key.

Conclusion: How to Fix a Dead Computer

As we reach the end of this guide, it’s clear that a basically dead computer doesn’t have to be the end of the road. With some luck and following the troubleshooting steps outlined above, you can overcome the challenges and revive your laptop’s functionality. If you’ve tried everything mentioned above and your computer still isn’t working, it’s a good idea to seek assistance from an authorized computer repair professional.