Hi, I have a HP Mini 210-1170 netbook. After turning it on, the screen is at a desktop screen, but no tool bars nor icons are shown. The curser moves, so I don't think it's frozen... but I also don't think it's loading because it has taken much longer than usual. I tried turning it off and then turning it on again, using the power button, which I know is bad :/ The same screen appeared- the blank desktop background. Please help, thanks!

HP Support > HP Mini 1000 CTO Netbook > Main Support page,

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?product=3832471&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&lang=en&cc=us

Before I go on.........
HP = Manufacturer
Mini 1000 = Model Series
The actual Product Number (Model Number) is on the Bottom of the Netbook, in a white Service Tag. P/N = Product Number.

However what is going on here, is we are just looking for the Service Manual.
It covers the HP Mini 1000 series of Netbook PC's........

In the list click User Guides.
Now click on -
HP Mini 1000 and Compaq Mini 700 - Maintenance and Service Guide

[Ignore if you are aware;
This is a PDF file. The computer you are using now has Adobe Reader on it, which uses PDF files.
After you click on the above file name, it may take up to 30 seconds, before the first page comes up.

Go to the top left corner, and click on the Toggle Slider icon, to see the Bookmarks menu.
When your mouse cursor is hovered over the icon, Toggle Slider will briefly appear.
To the top left now, will be the Show Thumbnails icon, and to it's right; the Show Document Outline icon. Click on the Show Document Outline icon ]

Scroll the Bookmarks menu down.
Under the subheading - Component replacement procedure -
click on - Keyboard.
Or go to Page 48 using the Adobe Reader page number box, at top. (Actual manual page is 40)

A) Remove ALL power. Remove the AC adapter, (Charger), and Battery.

B) Suggest lay a soft static free cloth on the table, you are working on, then laptop on it.
Prevents scratching the table, and laptop. (Netbook)

Turn the Netbook over, bottom side up.
Look down in the Battery Compartment. There are two Philips head screws to remove, which hold the Keyboard in place.

Looking across the Width of the Battery Compartment, draw an imaginary line in the middle.
One screw to remove is in the Middle, and towards the Front of the Netbook.
The other screw to remove is also in the Middle, and towards the Back of the Netbook.

C) Turn the Netbook over to it's normal position.
Open the Display Assembly. (Open the Netbook)

There are FOUR small TABS formed out of the Keyboard, that are on the side you are on. Also known as the Front of the Netbook.
These Tabs slide down into the Palm Rest Cover.

It is for THIS reason, that when removing the Keyboard, DO NOT bring the Keyboard straight up.

It is also for the reason that the Keyboard Cable, will still be attached to the motherboard.
The Keyboard Cable STAYS attached to the Keyboard.
The Keyboard Cable is disconnected FROM the motherboard connector.

Also on EACH side of the Keyboard, is a Tab.
Grasp the Keyboard at this Side Tabs, and lift the Keyboard up on the LCD screen side; at a slight angle. (1 inch height, or so)

Slide the Keyboard towards the LCD screen, until the Tabs on the Keyboard that are towards you; are clear of the Palm Rest Cover.
Then lay the Keyboard down on the Display Assembly.
(That last sentence is straight out of the service manual.
I <- would advise covering the LCD screen, to avoid any possible damage)

The Keyboard Cable is now disconnected from the motherboard's connector.

The Keyboard Cable is a type of FFC. Flat Flex Cable.
A general example of an FFC,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flat-Flex-Cable.jpg

As you can see the Keyboard Cable will have NO connector.
Also the flat terminal bar connectors on the Flat Flex Cable, are to go back to the original position in the motherboard connector.

The Keyboard Cable MUST, go back in the same position it was originally; in the motherboard connector.
Each flat terminal strip on the Keyboard Cable, lines up with a specific contact pin in the motherboard connector.

This is what you use to determine, how the new Keyboard's Cable will be mounted. By following the old one.

The motherboard connector is a type of ZIF connector.
Zero Insertion Force.
It is rectangular in shape, and composed of two pieces.
HOWEVER, it does NOT come completely apart!

The bottom piece is the larger of the two parts. It is Stationary to the motherboard. It is called the BODY.
The upper piece is the smaller of the two parts. It is Movable.
It is called the Locking Bar.

IF, the Locking Bar is broken, or IF the Body is broken; you are looking at MOTHERBOARD REPLACEMENT, and why I am being so detailed with this.

There are a few styles of Locking Bar types used.
Looking at the Service Manual, I cannot exactly determine which style is used.
No matter because I will show two styles used, that I believe the Mini 1000 uses one of them. (For the Keyboard Cable)

Flip-Up style:
Closed; (Locked),

http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/Toshiba-Satellite-L645D-L640D/big/laptop-disassembly-13.jpg

Open;(Unlocked),

http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/Toshiba-Satellite-L645D-L640D/big/laptop-disassembly-14.jpg

Suggest just ease open with the thumbnails.

Slide style:
Closed;(Locked),

http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/Toshiba-Satellite-L675D-L670D/big-body/dismantle-laptop-10.jpg

Open;(Unlocked),

http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/Toshiba-Satellite-L675D-L670D/big-body/dismantle-laptop-11.jpg

With this style, all you can make out is two 'tabs', of the Locking Bar, because the Keyboard Cable is in the way.
Suggest use thumbnails to ease the Locking Bar up.

Distance is ONLY 2mm. That is a little more than 1/16th of an Inch.

Sometimes after a Keyboard Cable has been in a locked position, for a long time; the Keyboard Cable seems to be stuck.
GENTLY wiggle it side to side, then see if you can remove.
If not, then suggest check the Locking Bar, and see if it is in the Open/Unlocked position, all the way.

For additional questions please post in a Comment.
Or click on Reply at end of solution, and post.

Regards,
joecoolvette

Remove the cmos battery for 5 - 10 minutes. That will reset all data in the bios.

In your display settings you set it to display larger than the maximum size of the monitor it supports. for a netbook. it is might be around 1024x576 depending on your model. it can also be 1024x600.. Go to your display settings in control panel and click on display or right click on your desktop and go to preferences. you can adjust your display settings there.

That cursor indicated that the BIOS can't find an Windows installed on the hdd. Since even the recovery partition appears to be inaccessible the only thing left is to reinstall it using the recovery cd that should have come with it when you bought it If you don't have it you can order it from Dell.

Your netbook's Windows 7 Starter Edition does not allow changes of the desktop background. This feature begins with the next higher version of Windows 7 which is the Home Premium edition. It is possible to upgrade your version of Windows 7 to add more features by doing the following...
1. on the bottom left of the desktop, click the round windows start icon
2. on the pop-up window, click Control Panel
3. on the window titled Adjust your computer's settings, click the Windows Anytime Upgrade icon
4. on the Windows Anytime Upgrade window, your version of Windows 7 will be shown at top right
5. choose how you want to begin by clicking on either Go online... or Enter an upgrade key...

Yes; right click on your desktop, and choose personalize; choose it on the screensaver tab.

Hi Mamurugu!
The reason it happens is because windows sets the power plan to "balanced" or "power saver" when the AC power cord is disconnect, in order to reserve battery life. One way to change it, is to change the power plan - right click on the battery icon in the task bar (near the windows clock), and choose "high performance". The screen will be well lit. The downsize - the battery will last a shorter time.
So, you can also manually change the brightness settings. I adding a link to a visual aid - a description of how to do it in HP's website - http://bizsupport1.austin.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&taskId=110&prodSeriesId=3832468&prodTypeId=321957&objectID=c00380256
You can find it, of course, under Change the LCD brightness/
Hope that helps!
Adi

Hi there,

We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

This is due to third party software's or any hardware changes made.

Whats the error message you receive?

When on the screen, and you have no icons hold control(ctrl) down and shift key and press escape(esc) your windows task manager should appear, goto the applications tab, at the bottom goto the tab New Task and left click, another window should appear with a text bar, type in the text bar explorer.exe and click ok, all the icons and your normal screen should reapear.

If your screen goes back to normal goto the start bar and goto run or search and type "regedit".
When the regedit window appears left click the " + " sign next to Hkey_local_mechine the the plus sign on software, scroll down to Microsoft folder and click the plus sign, scroll down to Windows nt folder and click the plus sign, the plus sign on Current version folder, then scroll down to winlogon folder and left click on the folder icon, on the right hand side of the screen look for "shell" double click on the icon and delete everything in the text bar and type explorer.exe and click ok and exit out of the window, restart the pc and everything should be back to normal.

pls post back and tell me what happens.cheers.

the easiest option will be to do a system restore to before the outage; Start/All programmes>accessories>System Tools>System Restore. Then choose restore my computer to previous settings, then choose a date that is not greyed out. Hope this sorts it Please rate solution