New laptop - blank screen

[frontier204]

Hi all,

I just got this laptop, but right now it's giving me a totally black screen (no backlight I'd assume) on boot:
ASUS S46CM-DH71 Intel Core i7 3517U 6GB 1TB+24GB GT635M 14.1IN DVDRW BT Windows 8 Ultrabook

It happened after I changed the boot order in BIOS (to take the internal SSD out of the boot order). I've tried the following so far:

• Attach to external monitor with VGA cable - monitor acknowledges there's a connection, but is still blank (similar to what would happen if a working computer was off or in sleep mode)
• Attach to external monitor with HDMI cable (monitor natively supports HDMI - no adaptors here): same effect as above
• Mashing CTRL+ALT+DELETE - no effect
• Cold reboot laptop with ESC (boot menu), F2 (straight to BIOS) pressed - no effect
• Remove battery and adaptor, reconnect battery only, reboot - still blank screen
• Remove battery and adaptor, reconnect adaptor only, reboot - still blank screen

Is there anything else I should try before RMAing this thing?


Thanks!

[chubaka]

trying using a windows cd then a usb boot cd? Its weird coz it should cycle through all your boot options..J2MC

[frontier204]

Thanks for the quick reply! Oh sorry forgot to add those to the description...

I also tried a Windows 8 Enterprise boot USB in one of the USB 2.0 ports (which I know is working since I just installed from it this morning) and a UltimateBootCD.
There's no activity from the laptop at all (e.g. no HDD sounds or activity lights that indicate it's trying to find/load an OS).

If I had to guess, it's failing to POST.

[chubaka]

yeah looks like you need to rma or if its within the return period, just return it to the store.
Nothing you can do.

[frontier204]

Thanks / too bad you second my hypothesis

I'm well within NCIX's 15-day period, so I created an RMA (return) request for the laptop.