Easy as DELL? What happened to my power button???

getrfixt · 08-11-2007, 08:23 AM

Hey Y'all - New to the forum, so greetings to all!
The problem is with my Dell Inspiron 600m:

The power button is very "non-responsive", usually taking excruciating pressure, along with flexing the laptop case a certain way, to get a power up. This has been progressively worsening (didn't used to have to press so hard, or flex) and there seems to be a constellation of problems that are related:
1. When difficulties first began over a year ago, I noticed odd activity with the num/caps/scroll-lock LEDs. Then those stopped working altogether (except they do light if I press on the case near them).
2. At about the same time as the LED defect began, I noticed that the power button was not responding to normal touch.
3. Both symptoms worsened until LEDs now don't function (several months) and power button has to be crushed to work.
4. At some point a wake-from-sleep problem also developed. Crush power button, HDD LED lights momentarily, screen remains black, power LED lights steady. No fix but to power off (using button, or sometimes, remove batteries). Then starts again normally (but still needs lots of pressure on power button).

Okay, now the final chapter. Power button completely nonresponsive, and power/HDD/charge LEDs never light. This new development is less than 24-hrs old. AC adapter LED lights but plugging into laptop, nothing happens (no LEDs on computer light).

Do I find the nearest window?

Thanks for any help!!

**TheMatt** · 08-11-2007, 09:05 AM

Hi, and welcome to TSF!

I would start by removing the top strip of plastic along the base of the screen. You can do this by moving the screen down so its parallel with the rest of the laptop and using a thin piece of metal such as a screw driver to gently pry up the strip. Just be very careful not to break it.

Once you get that far, post back.

getrfixt · 08-11-2007, 10:12 AM

Thanks, Matt.

Okay, removed the control strip and see I have a smashed button (already ordered replacement on Ebay).

Below that is a circuit board that has a smashed button. Any idea if I can replace that? This little board also has the LEDs etc. I didn't mention before, but the volume control buttons on that strip also quit working about the same time as the LEDs started acting goofy. I think there was a problem in the board from way back?

**TheMatt** · 08-11-2007, 10:18 AM

Can you take a picture of it and post it?

If you push the power button on the circuit board, does it work there?

getrfixt · 08-11-2007, 10:48 AM

https://jcomlaptops.com/displayProdu...&categoryId=11

I located the part online. Looks like it can be replaced.

getrfixt · 08-11-2007, 11:09 AM

Well, I've removed the board (I guess it's called a power button board) and have ordered a replacement. I'm thinking that should "getrfixt". Thanks for your help, Matt, looks like we were on the same track.

**TheMatt** · 08-11-2007, 05:12 PM

Good luck.

08-11-2007, 08:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
getrfixt Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 4 OS: xp	Easy as DELL? What happened to my power button??? Hey Y'all - New to the forum, so greetings to all! The problem is with my Dell Inspiron 600m: The power button is very "non-responsive", usually taking excruciating pressure, along with flexing the laptop case a certain way, to get a power up. This has been progressively worsening (didn't used to have to press so hard, or flex) and there seems to be a constellation of problems that are related: 1. When difficulties first began over a year ago, I noticed odd activity with the num/caps/scroll-lock LEDs. Then those stopped working altogether (except they do light if I press on the case near them). 2. At about the same time as the LED defect began, I noticed that the power button was not responding to normal touch. 3. Both symptoms worsened until LEDs now don't function (several months) and power button has to be crushed to work. 4. At some point a wake-from-sleep problem also developed. Crush power button, HDD LED lights momentarily, screen remains black, power LED lights steady. No fix but to power off (using button, or sometimes, remove batteries). Then starts again normally (but still needs lots of pressure on power button). Okay, now the final chapter. Power button completely nonresponsive, and power/HDD/charge LEDs never light. This new development is less than 24-hrs old. AC adapter LED lights but plugging into laptop, nothing happens (no LEDs on computer light). Do I find the nearest window? Thanks for any help!!

08-11-2007, 09:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
TheMatt Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,696 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Easy as DELL? What happened to my power button??? Hi, and welcome to TSF! I would start by removing the top strip of plastic along the base of the screen. You can do this by moving the screen down so its parallel with the rest of the laptop and using a thin piece of metal such as a screw driver to gently pry up the strip. Just be very careful not to break it. Once you get that far, post back. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

08-11-2007, 10:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
getrfixt Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 4 OS: xp	Re: Easy as DELL? What happened to my power button??? Thanks, Matt. Okay, removed the control strip and see I have a smashed button (already ordered replacement on Ebay). Below that is a circuit board that has a smashed button. Any idea if I can replace that? This little board also has the LEDs etc. I didn't mention before, but the volume control buttons on that strip also quit working about the same time as the LEDs started acting goofy. I think there was a problem in the board from way back?

08-11-2007, 10:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
TheMatt Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,696 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Easy as DELL? What happened to my power button??? Can you take a picture of it and post it? If you push the power button on the circuit board, does it work there? __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

08-11-2007, 10:48 AM	#5 (permalink)
getrfixt Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 4 OS: xp	Re: Easy as DELL? What happened to my power button??? https://jcomlaptops.com/displayProdu...&categoryId=11 I located the part online. Looks like it can be replaced.

08-11-2007, 11:09 AM	#6 (permalink)
getrfixt Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 4 OS: xp	Re: Easy as DELL? What happened to my power button??? Well, I've removed the board (I guess it's called a power button board) and have ordered a replacement. I'm thinking that should "getrfixt". Thanks for your help, Matt, looks like we were on the same track.

08-11-2007, 05:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
TheMatt Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,696 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Easy as DELL? What happened to my power button??? Good luck. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides