Screen is totally blank at startup. HDD light blinks for a little bit, but screen stays blank.

Does the HDD LED blink? Can you open the BIOS? Can you do a System Restore? If no, remove the HDD and test. Also reseat the Memory mods.

Check to see if your hdd failed, by replacement?

Sounds like the motherboard, BUT have you dismantled the computer. Remove the RAM the drives, The HDD, the BIOS battery, the power cord, the computer battery and everything that can be removed relatively easily. Clean everything out with compressed air. Not to crazy though...take it easy!

If a friend has a similar computer try the screen on his once its removed.

Once clean reassemble.

Dells shortcuts are a little different than others. You may need to press F2 and run diagnostics from the boot menu or F8, or F12 which brings you to the BIOS. All at startup. Not 100% sure on ur Dell but it is on mine.

From this point I'm not sure...Hopefully this will help get you in the right direction. Best of luck!

yes

Darling if it was loud and now it's not and no hdd light' I'm afraid it sounds like it's bit the dust. Time to either look for a new hdd or a new laptop all together. sometimes you can catch the sales and it's not hard to replace , usually just one or two screws. just remember to be patient and take your time. it's really tiny parts.good luck.please rate me if i helped.

Not even beeping? Hard to tell from such little info. HDD doesn't work, CPU stays cold, that would indicate a motherboard problem, but then it would beep most of the times. It can be a a problem with your screen, but that doesn't add upp with the HDD, and the CPU staying cool (bye the way, how do you know that?)
I think you should take it to someone who can take a closer look on it.

I work with Compaq computers now and usually your problem points to the hard drive. I know Compaq's will stay on that screen if the hard drive has failed. Try another hard drive would be my suggestion.

Hope this helps.

remove the battery and try to start the machine om AC power only

regards

All Sony sets will stay blank until the circuit is ready to power the tube. If there is a problem detected inside the set, the tube will remain vlack and the standby light will blink. This blinking will repeat a count as follows: Blink count, pause for a second or two, repeat the blink count, etc. Some Sony sets will play for a while then flash off and on. This is usually an indication that the picture tube is starting to fail. In your case, you should see a blink code. If you can update this with the blink count, I can use that info plus the model number listed above to provide a possible cause and the parts required to repair the set.
Dan

I think u need to updrage ur bios and RE-INSTALL UR WINDOWS