PC - Satellite P105-S6064- won't boot; Power Light flashes once but Optical Drive light flickers endlessly.

[Detective_Khalifah_dtcfscd]

Hello. I recently changed my HDD (over a month though) and it has been doing just fine, off course there would be this issue and that. But the focus of my post is a recent problem I encountered while surfing the net and browsing some files: the Optical Drive gave a sound and upon checking, only 'C:/', 'DVD RW DRIVE (D:/)' were present and 'CD Drive (E:/)' was missing (all of this, though there wasn't a disc inside the drive was baffling); PC suddenly turned blue with some white-black horizontal lines moving up, just like on an unset TV; it continued until I force-shutdown the thing and after some seconds when I tried to power it on, the power light flashed once and was off again but the optical drive kept flickering as it does when a DVD/CD is inserted.
I checked the HDD and RAM to see if it they were hot, but warmth degree was negligible-the RAM was even less- then next I checked the screen cable but found it connected. After fixing everything back and pressing the power key, the PC was on again?!
Session was lost but it was working again. This morning upon pressing the power key again I was able to work on my computer until it repeated the blue-screen.... I can't remember if I forced it to shutdown, but I was able to use it after some minutes.
Note: The blue screen wasn't a BSOD as it was purplish and not purely blue, and darker too.
-The missing 'CD Drive E:/' occasionally presented itself when I checked 'Computer' and Optical Drive light would flicker, but this is the time everything would stop.
-After turning on the PC, 'Opera' browser as I was using it, would 'glow' the desktop wallpaper as if it was set in transparency mode for short milliseconds and after about 5secs. would be back to normal.
-I have recently installed Puppy Linux (Slacko 6.3._) as a backup OS after checking it using a Live USB, so I could retrieve my files in case anything goes wrong with Windows. It might not be the problem, but I think its worth noting. And there's also a free 1022 or 1024 MB if free partition left after installing Puppy.
-I use Plop boot manager.
-RAM= 2GB.
-HDD= 500GB.
-Its a Windows 7, x32 bit PC.
HOPE THE DETAILS WOULD BE INFORMATIVE ENOUGH TO TROUBLESHOOT THE COMPUTER.

 

[Detective_Khalifah_dtcfscd]

I really need help. This morning, I was using it until the blue screen showed up; I waited until the HDD light wasn't blinking and then force shutdown, but when I started it again after removing the optical drive, it booted until it got logged in and it just went off.
-Perhaps Optical drive isn't the problem but it makes a sound (and the light on it gets on, for say, 3-7 seconds) whenever the condition sets in and keeps blinking even when the PC is off.
-I also noticed that the HDD is active, because I hear its spinning. And its light would also blink about 3 times, all when the PC is OFF!

 

[Detective_Khalifah_dtcfscd]

I can't get it to boot anymore!

 

[Detective_Khalifah_dtcfscd]

Could it be the RAM, CPU or 'MOTHERBOARD'? I need assistance with details or troubleshooting guides ASAP.

 

[elbert]

CD drives on that model sometimes get lose and needs tighted up. Try uninstalling the CD drive by removing the screw that holds it in place and pull the drive out of the SATA connections. Push it back in and while holding a little force on the drive to keep it in the SATA connection tighten the screw. Test and see if it helps.

Some models have an issue that the CD drive has to work else the system doesn't. Possible an old OEM way to make more money.

 

[Detective_Khalifah_dtcfscd]

Maybe that's why when I removed the drive, the laptop shut down again after booting (to Windows), repeating the same chain of problems. But after re-installing, there wasn't any change. I even pushed the drive while switching on Windows but all was the same

 

[elbert]

Thats the thing about OEM's they force you replace the device when you could just leave it out. Sounds like the CD drive is bad. Check your hard drive to make sure its not causing a bad SATA connection. Like the CD pull it out and put it back in.

 

[Detective_Khalifah_dtcfscd]

I've already re-installed the HDD and also tried the previous but it did not fix the issue. Re-installed the RAMs as well.

 

[elbert]

Last thing to check is unplug from the wall and pull the battery out. Hold down the power for button for 5 minutes to make sure all power is gone. Then put the battery back and plug it into the wall and test. If doesn't work then I suggest you get a new CD/DVD drive.
https://www.ebay.com/i/182080334715?chn=ps&dispItem=1

 

[Detective_Khalifah_dtcfscd]

Done. All the same. But don't you think the problem is with any of the components? Perhaps the RAM or CPU. I mean it could at least load the BIOS.
I strongly believe the Motherboard is behind it all, and nothing else - including peripherals- attached to it.

 

[Detective_Khalifah_dtcfscd]

You could check in my other post: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-3491943/low-budget-programming-computer-science-studies.html#xtor=EPR-8809

 

[elbert]

If it has 2 sticks of RAM try removing one and test. The swap it out with the other and test. Could also be the laptop battery doesn't has to have enough charge. Try charging it over night.

 

[Detective_Khalifah_dtcfscd]

RAM swap- check.
Battery- what about the adapter? Could it be undercharging the laptop?

 

[elbert]

Na but if the battery was completly drained some laptops dont work without battery power. Kind of like tablets some are made to power though the battery. Only other option is try a replacement motherboard.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-TOSHIBA-A000006540-SATELLITE-P105-P100-INTEL-LAPTOP-MOTHERBOARD-/350707281422

 

[Detective_Khalifah_dtcfscd]

But could it be a result of my resetting the CMOS battery?
I would like to fix this PC. But getting a new laptop capable of lasting 10 years or more would be preferable.: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-3491943/low-budget-programming-computer-science-studies.html#xtor=EPR-8809

 

[elbert]

Given the price on a 1050 enabled laptop's I suggest you hold off a bit for a Ryzen apu laptop if possible. The leading specs that make a laptop last is the GPU and memory capacity. If you have to get one now get one with a 940M or 950M graphics.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834315926

 

[Detective_Khalifah_dtcfscd]

I decided to disassemble the Laptop and I tried reseating everything I could, such as the CPU, RAM, HDD, Heat sink, Wireless Network Adapter, etc & RESET THE CMOS BATTERY.
After assembling everything back and putting the battery in...; The PC boot into Windows and I was able to export some files to my phone.

The problem still remains that the 'CD Drive E:' is missing and I presume the trouble has not ended yet. I need advices.

 

[elbert]

If your wanting to fix the CD drive here is a replacement.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/182080334715?rmvSB=true

 

[Detective_Khalifah_dtcfscd]

Are you sure it the Optical Drive and not the Motherboard, RAM, CPU or any other components?
Ebay- I'm a Nigerian.
The original Drive is
Model: GMA-4082N
(ATAKKO)
Drive: A1
Would that one (provided in the link work for me)?

 

[elbert]

Yes it works with all Satellite P105's but given your location it may be to costly. Most people no longer use a CD drive so not a requirement. You could use the SATA for another option or leave it empty. You could turn it into an HD caddy and use your main drive SATA for SSD.
https://www.ebay.com/i/272620504287?chn=ps&dispItem=1

 

[Detective_Khalifah_dtcfscd]

I'm not a Computer geek; I do not quite understand what you say.
But does it mean the Motherboard is O.K. and Optical Drive is the only problematic device in this laptop and not a single other component?

 

[Detective_Khalifah_dtcfscd]

I think I can get https://www.ebay.com/i/272620504287?chn=ps&dispItem=1 on AliExpress. I'll post the link after search so you can verify.
But what perplexes my mind is the inability of my laptop to boot, with the Optical Drive uninstalled/removed.

 

[elbert]

Both the HD and CD drives work by SATA thus you can use it as a second HD/SSD slot. Just dont use it as the boot drive as the CD SATA may be slower.

Long as system is working it sounds like motherboard works.

 

[Detective_Khalifah_dtcfscd]

Hung when I left it idle and alone, power light was still on but no response. I force shutdown the laptop, making sure the HDD lights eeren't on as I did. I wonder what's the real problem with this PC. A component or periperal, perhaps the Motherboard. Its making me anxious.

 

[elbert]

Its beginning to sound like you have no option but get a new laptop.