Stuck with installling new updates(?) Black/flickering screen Aspire E1-522

tricksmael

Hello

 

My laptop (aspire E1-522). running windows 8 automatically downloads and installs updates. It was telling me to restart in order to complete the update, however I did not have time for this during the day so I put the laptop in sleeping mode as I usually do. The laptop was unresponsive to button pressing in order to "awake" it, so I pushed the power button. Now, the laptop will not turn on properly. It only shows a "flickering" black screen, meaning that it alternates between being entirely off and showing a black screen. The acer logo does not show.

 

The power lights are on, indicating if its fully charge and if it is plugged in. The computer also makes the usual noise when the power chord is inserted/pulled out. 

 

I think the laptop got stuck between installing new updates and starting up(?)

 

Here is what I have tried

- Starting without the battery, only power chord plugged in.

- Removing power chord and battery, pressing off button for 1min.

- Holding F8 during the first minute of startup

- Holding Alt+F10 during first minute of startup.

 

Thanks in advance

JackE

If any LEDs are lit when the battery and charger are plugged in, then press and hold the power button till they are unlit. Then press the power button one time to turn the machine back on. If you are running Win8 did you create any recovery media?  Jack E/NJ  

tricksmael

Hello

 

I just fixed it. I removed one of the RAM sticks I have and the laptop started as normal. Do you have any recomended sticks for the laptop model? The one I removed is "4GB 1Rx8 PC3L - 12800S - 11 - 12 - B2" from SK Hynx

JackE

Congrats! Was the machine originally shipped with this module? You might want first try to clean its contacts with a cotton tip and re-seat it a few times to clean the mainboard contacts. Then see if it boots normally. Jack E/NJ 

tricksmael

Hi

 

I tried cleaning and re-seating a couple of time, this did however work. It seems that some gold is missing on the contact. 

 

The laptop was shipped with the RAM stick.

JackE

Congrats again! You seem to be on a roll. 8^) If you ever need to replace it, just about any 4gb ddr3l sodimm will work just fine from Amazon or Ebay though it may help to have a matched pair. Price ~$20 USD. If you're adventuresome, you can hike your machine to 16GB with 2 8gb Hynix modules for about $50. Good luck. Jack E/NJ