Dell complaints

th3subtl3on3 · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 9:53 pm Post subject: Inspiron 1150...

Quick relapse of what I've been through with this thing, so everyone knows what I'm dealing with here. Two days after warranty expires, it dies, but they are kind enough to take it back and replace motherboard. Happened again about a year later, but this time bought the motherboard ourselves and I replaced it. Found out about the contact with the one chip, and fixed that.

Now, up to date. Since I replaced the motherboard the second time, it acts weird. When I am done using it, and shut it off, I cannot leave the AC cord plugged in, or it will not start later on. If I do happen to leave it plugged in, I must unplug it, and let it sit for awhile until it will start. The battery does get a charge.

Right now, I'm ready to bash it. I turned it off last night and forgot to unplug the adapter. It was like that for over 12 hours. I have had it unplugged for awhile, but it won't start this time. The fan kicks on for a second and stops. Maybe I need to let it sit over night.

What is causing this problem? Would it be he AC connector on the board? I didn't think it was because it still charges the battery. I am just confused, and hate having to unplug it after shutting it off.

MagiAwen · Regular Hater Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 22

This is a laptop, right?

Could be a grounding issue...the person who installed the motherboard was a qualified laptop tech I assume?

Could be the CMOS battery

Could be the motherboard

Could be the main battery cell...have you ever replaced the battery for it?

Will it run without the battery?
Some laptops are capable from running direct from AC without the battery but you see that less an less now adays. How it usually works is that if the battery is dying, even with AC plugged in, they won't work right because they are continually running off the battery.

Remember that your charging indicator in Windows is a software interpretation of a hardware's functioning...it's not always right and even if it is right, that doesn't mean that there is nothing wrong with the battery. Very Happy

th3subtl3on3 · Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 10:59 am Post subject:

Yes this is a laptop, sorry for not mentioning that. The first time it was fixed, it was sent back to Dell. The second time, I replaced the board myself.

The battery is going bad, I know that for a fact. The battery light blinks a constant orange whenever I am using it. I can remove the battery and use the AC power without a problem.

Would the battery going bad cause this weird situation? I don't see how leaving it plugged in after turning the unit off, would make it not start the next time.

Edit: Just tried starting it again after letting it sit over night. I had everything removed from it, because I was going to remove the Cmos battery. Never did get to it though. I put everything back together, and it still won't start. Fan kicks on for a second and shuts off. Wondering if it's done for this time.

MagiAwen · Regular Hater Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 22

Well... I can't tell you if it's done for good or not....but yes, those are symptoms of a dying/dead/damaged/something wrong....battery.

Though it could be the whole thing is going bad or it could be a bad connection...hard to tell from here Very Happy

I guess you take your chances and either order a new battery and it may or may not fix it.... or get a new laptop all together.

th3subtl3on3 · Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 11:30 am Post subject:

Well the battery for it isn't too bad, but I've been wanting to get a 700m ever since I worked on my buddy's. I only really use it for internet surfer, and like how small and compact it is. Decisions....
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-Brian

th3subtl3on3 · Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2007 10:46 am Post subject:

Does anyone else have advice? I've let it sit for two days now and still nothing. Shouldn't it start with the AC adapter hooked up, and the battery removed? Should I go ahead and try removing the Cmos battery for a bit? I am ready just ready to throw it out the window.
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-Brian

OSRI · Regular Hater Joined: 10 Oct 2007 Posts: 29 Location: A01

I was just tinkering with a friend's 1100 yesterday. These guys with the desktop processors run hot, so keeping the guts free of dust is important. Anyhow, I stripped all the components down to clean it out. It did almost exactly as you described after I put it back together. I'd get the fan, but no video and it would power off after 15 seconds or so.

Turned out that the memory wasn't seated correctly. You might try starting there with yours and see if that does anything.

Weird power issues are nasty because everything is integrated into the motherboard.

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th3subtl3on3 · Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 10:15 am Post subject:

Mine won't power on using just the AC adapter. I actually have the whole thing torn apart in my computer room. I can't figure how to get the Cmos battery out since there are two metal tabs on either side. I will try putting it back together and see if it works.
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-Brian

mj52730 · Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 12:07 pm Post subject:

I am having the exact same problem with a friends 1150. The weird thing is when he first dropped the thing off to me, and said it wouldn't boot up, I pulled it out of the case opened the lid, hit the power button & it booted! I then shut it down & plugged in the power cord hit the power button & now the power light comes on for 1/2 a second, the fan blows for the same amount of time then nothing. the power light blinks and there is no battery charge light on when the AC adapter is plugged in. But it DID boot up & shut down properly the 1st time, which in my mind rules out defective processor or any RAM issues. But now, no matter what it won't start, not on AC power or battery, not on AC power with the battery pulled or anything. Suggestions?

100pcob · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:24 pm Post subject:

Bad AC adapter with a frayed cable. I've seen it....replaced a 1150 mobo, powered it up on battery, everything powered up fine. Dell did not send me a spare AC adapter, yet I noticed badly frayed cables; 1" of metal sheathing exposed, the usual.

I powered the laptop on battery-only again...no problems, great performance. Powered down, plugged in AC adapter, quick flash of green LED's, then nothing...no power no post NO NOTHING. Pulled AC adapter out and tried, still nothing. I called Dell (luckily got American) tech support, and they sent out a new AC adapter AND motherboard. Second times the charm, i fixed the mobo and kept the old AC adapter at arms length away from the system.

It's amazing what these script-jocks will do...they'll send me a $700 laptop mobo but not a $50 AC adapter. So the bad AC adapter fries two $700 mobos. Maybe they'll get it thorugh their thick skull to send AC adater *and* mobo ALL THE TIME, not just half-ass it...

One more note: the 1100/1150/5100/5150 series gets hot quickly, AND because of the thin spacing between copper fins, the heat sink gets clogged VERY EASILY with dust. Every 6-12 months you will need to remove the CPU heat sink & pull the thick layer of dust out of the heat sink with tweezers. Either that or blow some compressed air in to loosen up the dust-mats. This will save your laptop, ESPECIALLY if the fan is loud.

Rocke_T_Sinetist · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:51 pm Post subject:

Just pointing out, how well-engineered a product is that has to be taken apart every month if you happen to have a long-haired cat. Rolling Eyes

And the power adapter and its connector are under-designed by about 30%.

WTF does it think it is, a bloody Ferrari? If it was a car it would be recalled.

It wasn't quite 10 years ago, when you almost didn't need a warranty. Everything lasted at least 3 years, closer to 5, and my Dimension is nine years old. Now, we're supposed to accept products that routinely stop working and require service every 3-9 months and when the warranty expires the thing is just a hulking liability.
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as in, 'it doesn't take a...'