Member Avatar for Anjuula

Hi,
I have an Acer Aspire 4720Z. I was on the Internet last night when my screen blinked. About 20 minutes later my screen froze, so I turned it off. This morning I turned it on, and logged in. The screen is blank. I've tried turning it off and on with the same results. I don't want to reboot it because I've got some files that I need that are only on this laptop. Any suggestions? Please help!
Thanks!
Angela

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Short expert summary and next steps tied to the thread: ’s machine went blank after login, Safe Mode only showed the Safe Mode watermark, and a later boot attempt fell back to network boot (PXE). That combination shifts the priority: preserve files first, then test hardware — the PXE fallback means the BIOS didn’t find a working local boot device (common causes and tests below).

What PXE implies (brief): PXE is a BIOS/firmware fallback when no bootable disk/OS is found or when boot order forces network first. Possible causes — a failed or loose hard drive, a corrupted boot record, wrong boot order, or a failing SATA/controller — all of which can look like software-only symptoms at first.

Immediate, ordered actions (data-safety first)

  • Power off, remove AC and battery, discharge static, then gently reseat the hard drive and memory modules.
  • Enter BIOS/boot menu (Acer models commonly use F2 for setup, F12 or Esc for a boot menu) and check whether the hard drive appears in the list and the boot order.
  • If the drive is listed but the system won’t start, boot from a USB live environment (Linux live USB or Windows install/repair USB) and copy irreplaceable files to an external USB drive. This is the safest step before making repairs.
  • If the drive does not appear in BIOS or makes unusual noises, remove it and connect it to another PC with a USB→SATA adapter or as an internal drive to try file copy. If unreadable, stop and consult a data‑recovery shop.
  • If the drive is visible and you want to try repair (Windows Vista/7 era), from the recovery command prompt you can try:
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd

Cautions and context: ’s overheating point is worth noting — allow cooling — but avoid “freezer” tricks (risk of condensation). ’s HDD/RAM suggestions are on target: test memory with a bootable memtest and verify the drive before attempting destructive repairs. If uncomfortable with the steps above, remove the drive and have a shop image it to protect your files.

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All 11 Replies

Member Avatar for mjdodd

rebooting wont destroy files.

more information needed.
Laptops often overeat and need time to cool down before working, again.

screen blinking and freezing canbe a sign of overhaet (or many other things viruses, failing screen, failing chips, bad memory ...) but my suspiscion is cool everythning (I have siuggested to clietns put in freezer!) no hte machine not the client!
If that does nt cure it then the problem maylie in the screen video area

M

Member Avatar for Anjuula

I'll try that and see if it works. Thanks! :)

Member Avatar for Anjuula

The screen is not blank until I've logged in that's when it goes blank.

Member Avatar for mjdodd

There is not a lot wrong with the computer!
The login problem is a software one and I cannot help on that.
Try loggining in as another administrator (ADMINistrator / Administrator and see is thse id passwds can help.
It seems as though there is a osftware block preventing youlogging in.

as all the required software in normally up and running prior to login time
BOL
M

Member Avatar for Rik_

Safe mode or las known good configuration may be worth a try. INSTRUCTIONS

Member Avatar for Anjuula

M and Rik,
I tried opening it in safe mode. The only thing that would show up was the words safe mode at the bottom and top of the screen otherwise it was blank. When I hit F8 it went to the safe mode screen with system repair as one of the options. I am trying that. Hopefully it works. Thanks so much for all the help!
Angela

Member Avatar for Anjuula

I have tried to reboot it, and this is what it reads:

PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cable
PXE-M0F: Exiting Broadcom PXE ROM.
Operating System not found

I'm thinking this cannot be good. What does it mean?
Thanks,
Angela

Member Avatar for Rik_

Sounds like the hard drive may have had it.

Member Avatar for darrellbond

someone please help.started up acer 5550 two days ago-blue screen"dumping crash files"tried all combos known to me ALT-F10 etc.finally tried to recover with start up discs ,nothing...last resort tried factory restore,since then totally black screen,removed battery from computer and ac supply for a few hours,only have fan,green power light and a very weak attemt to start up,,pleeeeese help

Member Avatar for mjdodd

if any machine wont start from recovery disks or safe mode (or better a boot any CD disk) then there are one of three things wrong
1: The disk drive (cd) is not working or become disconnected.
2: The memory is not functioning there are test programs available)
3: There is a fault on the motherboard (or processor)

This all assumes that you have got mains feed and a battery fitted;

If you can get hold of a boot disk that has dia

Member Avatar for Rik_

You possibly either have a faulty hard drive or faulty ram. Google for free test software and test both!

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