My laptop will not go on to log on screen and says ' media test failure ' PXE-E61.
It then says check cable.

This happens as soon as i switch on the laptop and it will go no further.
I cannot use it at all, any ideas.

That sounds like its trying to PXE boot (boots from ethernet network) Check your BIOS to make sure you have it to boot from hard disk before PXE (or LAN boot it may be called or network) If you have not changed any settings in the BIOS sence its last successful boot, then it may be that the hard drive has died or become unconnected or erased. So first i'd say check the BIOS and check the boot sequence, and while you are in the BIOS make sure the hard drive can be seen (in a summary or general) If the BIOS cant see it then try popping the hard drive out an pushing it back in (on a laptop it should only be one screw holding it in, look under the laptop for a lil platter pic pointing to a screw).

Erm... just a small thought..

Laptops can be really finicky devices and a slip of a screwdriver can be a rather expensive "oops"... so when in doubt and it looks like you're going to be opening it up, think seriously about finding somewhere reliable to look into it for you..

I'd recommend Gemsoft as one place to try... midway between The moor McDonalds and Office World.

Originally posted by Martin_s
Erm... just a small thought..

Laptops can be really finicky devices and a slip of a screwdriver can be a rather expensive "oops"... so when in doubt and it looks like you're going to be opening it up, think seriously about finding somewhere reliable to look into it for you..

I'd recommend Gemsoft as one place to try... midway between The moor McDonalds and Office World. Thanks for that.
I did open the bottom and take a look, and was flumoxed so put it back and re-tried it and guess what, it started to work again.
Up to now were still working so not sure what happened but it seems to have rectified itself.

Blah.. Its gone again when switching it on this morning.
Guess now I will have to have it looked at.
More diggin in my pockets.

How old is it?

You may find that the battery isn't holding charge and it's losing the BIOS settings.

If you bring it to me I'll take a look at it for you.