preparing auto repair loop

thebrighton · June 2016

My Aspire V5 turned itself off. When powering up again a message briefly appears saying there was a problem and then that it is preparing auto repair. The screen goes blue and that is all that happens. . It seems to be stuck in a loop. Help!

philetus · June 2016

You possibly have a failed HDD. Try holdinf Alt+F10 at start and see if recovery comes up.

thebrighton · June 2016

I've tried many combinations of the F buttons without success. Just tries Alt + F10 which does make a slight difference - the Acer screen says please wait with the circles going round for about 5 seconds ten the screen goes black. It's been taking longer to go black Smiley Wink

philetus · June 2016

Take out the HDD and connect it to another computer with USB and test it.

thebrighton · June 2016

Please don't assume we are all experts. I know you are trying to help but I find advice like this infuriating. I haven't got a clue where to even start. I'd have to work out how to open up the laptop, assuming I had the tools, work out what the heck the HDD is and see if I've got a suitable USB before I even get to the testing (?) bit.

philetus · June 2016

You could probably start by telling me the model number of the laptop. There are many different V5s.

thebrighton · June 2016

At work now will look later but I had to give model number etc when signed up to helpdesk.

thebrighton · June 2016

F2 seems to be the only thing that works which shows a setup utility. On that it tells me the model is a V5-552.

S/N [edited for privacy]

SNID 3[edited for privacy]

philetus · June 2016

Here is a good video showing disassembly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb0hlQDeAGg

After you unplug the battery, remove the HDD. You don't need to do everything.

Here is the HDD location

I have this

http://www.amazon.com/Apricorn-Notebook-Upgrade-Connection-ASW-USB3-25/dp/B005C983NA

but this one is good too

http://www.frys.com/product/7551366?site=sr Smiley Frustrated EARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

or any other sata to usb.

thebrighton · June 2016

Seriously? I need to become a laptop technician and dismantle it and buy specialist USB from the USA just to be able to remove the HDD which might not even be the problem and we haven't even got to the testing bit yet! Like I said those that work on helpdesks just assume that as they know everything so must those contacting.

Might as well close this thread down as it's been a complete waste of my time. The laptop is going to a repairer a couple of days later than it could.