ASUS A6T not initializing

ssebast · 05-16-2009, 05:43 PM

I have an ASUS A6T Laptop. I use it intensively, but I never had any noticeable problems with it so far. Today I pressed the Power button and the fan started, the leds blinked, DVD drive too, HDD flashed a bit, but I had no image, and no activity whatsoever after this: the fan kept cycling, the power led stayed on, and nothing else happened.
I've tried so far: using the battery alone, using AC with no battery, pressing power button with no battery nor AC and then starting it again, and nothing happened.
I have two 512Mb RAM modules, tried every combination possible and still didn't worked. I managed to get a new 1Gb module, tried it on both sockets, it didn't worked.
Now I'm trying to clear the CMOS with another method than pressing the power button, to see if it will work then.
I don't know what could have happened, it was working as usual yesterday.
Do you have any ideas? Anyone knows how to clear the CMOS on this laptop? I don't want to send it to ASUS yet because it's a bit of a hassle trying to make a HD backup since the computer doesn't start, and I don't want to risk losing any important data I have, since they don't make any guarantees about that.

Thanks in advance

**TriggerFinger** · 05-17-2009, 12:36 AM

Try this first:
blank screen

Also try with an external monitor to rule out video card/motherboard.

Post back what you find out.

ssebast · 05-17-2009, 11:28 AM

Thanks for your reply. I tried that and it still doesn't work.
I also tried it with an external screen, it doesn't get a signal.

**TriggerFinger** · 05-17-2009, 11:57 AM

You should connect and power ON the external monitor before powering ON the laptop. If you do not get any signal/screen on the external monitor then it could be video card or motherboard problem.

ssebast · 05-17-2009, 01:12 PM

Tried it both ways: it doesn't work. Is there any possibility other than motherboard/video card problem? A CMOS problem, or something else? I know it's wishful thinking, but... had to ask!

**TriggerFinger** · 05-18-2009, 03:08 AM

Just based on what has been done, I believe there is a problem with the video card or the motherboard. Most laptops have video chips integrated in the motherboard while some the video chip/card can be replaced on its own. Either way it would be a very expensive fix.

I suggest you bring it to a repair shop for a more in depth analysis.

ssebast · 05-19-2009, 07:05 AM

Thanks a lot for your help TriggerFinger, I guess it's to the repair shop then.

05-16-2009, 05:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
ssebast Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 6 OS: XP	ASUS A6T not initializing I have an ASUS A6T Laptop. I use it intensively, but I never had any noticeable problems with it so far. Today I pressed the Power button and the fan started, the leds blinked, DVD drive too, HDD flashed a bit, but I had no image, and no activity whatsoever after this: the fan kept cycling, the power led stayed on, and nothing else happened. I've tried so far: using the battery alone, using AC with no battery, pressing power button with no battery nor AC and then starting it again, and nothing happened. I have two 512Mb RAM modules, tried every combination possible and still didn't worked. I managed to get a new 1Gb module, tried it on both sockets, it didn't worked. Now I'm trying to clear the CMOS with another method than pressing the power button, to see if it will work then. I don't know what could have happened, it was working as usual yesterday. Do you have any ideas? Anyone knows how to clear the CMOS on this laptop? I don't want to send it to ASUS yet because it's a bit of a hassle trying to make a HD backup since the computer doesn't start, and I don't want to risk losing any important data I have, since they don't make any guarantees about that. Thanks in advance

05-17-2009, 12:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,826 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: ASUS A6T not initializing Try this first: blank screen Also try with an external monitor to rule out video card/motherboard. Post back what you find out. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

05-17-2009, 11:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
ssebast Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 6 OS: XP	Re: ASUS A6T not initializing Thanks for your reply. I tried that and it still doesn't work. I also tried it with an external screen, it doesn't get a signal.

05-17-2009, 11:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,826 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: ASUS A6T not initializing You should connect and power ON the external monitor before powering ON the laptop. If you do not get any signal/screen on the external monitor then it could be video card or motherboard problem. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

05-17-2009, 01:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
ssebast Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 6 OS: XP	Re: ASUS A6T not initializing Tried it both ways: it doesn't work. Is there any possibility other than motherboard/video card problem? A CMOS problem, or something else? I know it's wishful thinking, but... had to ask!

05-18-2009, 03:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,826 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: ASUS A6T not initializing Just based on what has been done, I believe there is a problem with the video card or the motherboard. Most laptops have video chips integrated in the motherboard while some the video chip/card can be replaced on its own. Either way it would be a very expensive fix. I suggest you bring it to a repair shop for a more in depth analysis. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

05-19-2009, 07:05 AM	#7 (permalink)
ssebast Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 6 OS: XP	Re: ASUS A6T not initializing Thanks a lot for your help TriggerFinger, I guess it's to the repair shop then.