DELL Laptop, not responding...power issues???

LawDog · 08-12-2007, 06:59 AM

Hi,

This is my first post, so please forgive me, if I make a mistake in protcol on the boards.

I have a problem with my fiance's DELL Inspiron 1150 Laptop. It was working fine until yesterday. I went to turn it on and I could hear the fan going and the hard drive "clicking", as it normally does, but the screen stays "black". Also, there are 3 lights, next to the power button: the NUM LOCK, CAPS LOCK and Scroll LOCK keys, and normally those light up....they don't now. Is this a power supply issue? I've "held down" the power button for 10 seconds....I've unplugged the battery and AC supply and tried to start it up....nothing works. Also, when I press the power button to turn it off, there is a little "whine" as it turns off.

Please help!!! She has important files (of course), she needs to have access to for business...

Thanks, in advance, for any help!

Law...

PS: she is using Windows XP

LawDog · 08-12-2007, 08:20 AM

UPDATE: I've left the machine running, still with no screen, and now the NUM LOCK indicator @ the top of the laptop is flashing and the CAPS LOCK indicator is a solid green. Still no response when I hit the keyboard...screen is still "black". Machine fan can still be heard....

Law...

**TheMatt** · 08-13-2007, 10:05 PM

Hi, and welcome to TSF!

Sorry I missed your thread. If after 24 hours nobody responds to your thread, you may bump it once.

I would start by swapping out the RAM. First re-seat each stick. Then, try running with one stick, then the other.

If that doesn't work you can likely still get data off the hard disk. You can buy external enclosures that will allow you to plug the hard disk into another computer and copy files over.

LawDog · 08-14-2007, 05:57 AM

Ok, I will try that and get back to you! Thanks for the advice!

Law...

LawDog · 08-19-2007, 03:29 PM

Matt,

I re-seated the RAM, as you suggested. Nothing. Now when I press the power button, the machine fan comes on, the CAPS LOCK light blinks and runs for about 30 seconds and the the machine turns off with a "whine".

Any other suggestions? Is it a power supply issue?

My fiance wants to keep the laptop and really wants to use this. She loves this computer for some reason....

**TheMatt** · 08-19-2007, 04:05 PM

If you have a multimeter, test the power supply jack for the correct voltage.

Try turning on the laptop on AC power but with no battery. Then test the laptop only on battery power.

LawDog · 08-19-2007, 04:32 PM

I don't have a multimeter, but I am running (and have been running( the laptop off the same power strip as my desktop.

Attempt to try the laptop power with battery only and with AC only....same result.

Any other suggestions?

**TheMatt** · 08-19-2007, 04:50 PM

I think its time to crack open the laptop and re-seat the processor. Do you know how to access the processor and remove the heatsink/fan assembly?

You will also need some new thermal paste.

LawDog · 08-19-2007, 05:52 PM

I think I can manage it....let me get my hands on some thermal paste and I'll be back in touch.

Thanks,
Law....

abdulla10 · 02-03-2009, 12:20 PM

Hi there..
Im having exact same problem with my dell inspiron 1150.. I have tried reseating CPU, RAM, Heatsink.. almost all components. but still when i power up only caps lock light flashed.. and the display is completly blank. No POST nothing.. I can hear the fan and hard drive spin and switchs off in a min. Can anyone help to find the solution for this please..

Many thanks in advance

LawDog · 02-04-2009, 06:52 PM

I have never found a solution to this problem. Just waiting until we can afford another laptop and take all the info off that one.

Good luck!

rbalaji · 02-05-2009, 12:58 PM

Flashing lock lights (caps lock, num lock, etc.) on a dell laptop indicates a RAM failure of some sort. If reseating the RAM did not help, here is what you have to do next. Take each stick of RAM and use it separately in each of the two slots of the computer to isolate the problem. If one stick works in both slots, but another stick does not work in either, it is a problem with that stick. Replace it. If both sticks work in one slot, but not in the other, there is a problem with that RAM slot. You will have to either live with RAM in just one slot or pay someone to further diagnose the problem with that slot and get it fixed.

machiner · 04-09-2009, 08:30 AM

This occurs on my Hp Pavilion 6871 running debian Lenny as well. However, it's not a RAM issue, it's directly related to the intel Pro Wireless 4965 card inside.

westin40 · 04-29-2009, 10:02 AM

Hi,
Repaired one a few months ago with simular problems.
Changed motherboard, ram, etc. to no avail.
Purchased a used CPU from Ebay, laptop powered up and booted without further problems.

Wes

08-12-2007, 06:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
LawDog Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7 OS: Windows XP	DELL Laptop, not responding...power issues??? Hi, This is my first post, so please forgive me, if I make a mistake in protcol on the boards. I have a problem with my fiance's DELL Inspiron 1150 Laptop. It was working fine until yesterday. I went to turn it on and I could hear the fan going and the hard drive "clicking", as it normally does, but the screen stays "black". Also, there are 3 lights, next to the power button: the NUM LOCK, CAPS LOCK and Scroll LOCK keys, and normally those light up....they don't now. Is this a power supply issue? I've "held down" the power button for 10 seconds....I've unplugged the battery and AC supply and tried to start it up....nothing works. Also, when I press the power button to turn it off, there is a little "whine" as it turns off. Please help!!! She has important files (of course), she needs to have access to for business... Thanks, in advance, for any help! Law... PS: she is using Windows XP

08-12-2007, 08:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
LawDog Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7 OS: Windows XP	Re: DELL Laptop, not responding...power issues??? UPDATE: I've left the machine running, still with no screen, and now the NUM LOCK indicator @ the top of the laptop is flashing and the CAPS LOCK indicator is a solid green. Still no response when I hit the keyboard...screen is still "black". Machine fan can still be heard.... Law...

08-13-2007, 10:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: DELL Laptop, not responding...power issues??? Hi, and welcome to TSF! Sorry I missed your thread. If after 24 hours nobody responds to your thread, you may bump it once. I would start by swapping out the RAM. First re-seat each stick. Then, try running with one stick, then the other. If that doesn't work you can likely still get data off the hard disk. You can buy external enclosures that will allow you to plug the hard disk into another computer and copy files over. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] 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

08-14-2007, 05:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
LawDog Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7 OS: Windows XP	Re: DELL Laptop, not responding...power issues??? Ok, I will try that and get back to you! Thanks for the advice! Law...

08-19-2007, 03:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
LawDog Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7 OS: Windows XP	Re: DELL Laptop, not responding...power issues??? Matt, I re-seated the RAM, as you suggested. Nothing. Now when I press the power button, the machine fan comes on, the CAPS LOCK light blinks and runs for about 30 seconds and the the machine turns off with a "whine". Any other suggestions? Is it a power supply issue? My fiance wants to keep the laptop and really wants to use this. She loves this computer for some reason....

08-19-2007, 04:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: DELL Laptop, not responding...power issues??? If you have a multimeter, test the power supply jack for the correct voltage. Try turning on the laptop on AC power but with no battery. Then test the laptop only on battery power. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] 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

08-19-2007, 04:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
LawDog Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7 OS: Windows XP	Re: DELL Laptop, not responding...power issues??? I don't have a multimeter, but I am running (and have been running( the laptop off the same power strip as my desktop. Attempt to try the laptop power with battery only and with AC only....same result. Any other suggestions?

08-19-2007, 04:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: DELL Laptop, not responding...power issues??? I think its time to crack open the laptop and re-seat the processor. Do you know how to access the processor and remove the heatsink/fan assembly? You will also need some new thermal paste. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] 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

08-19-2007, 05:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
LawDog Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7 OS: Windows XP	Re: DELL Laptop, not responding...power issues??? I think I can manage it....let me get my hands on some thermal paste and I'll be back in touch. Thanks, Law....

02-03-2009, 12:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
abdulla10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1 OS: xp	Re: DELL Laptop, not responding...power issues??? Hi there.. Im having exact same problem with my dell inspiron 1150.. I have tried reseating CPU, RAM, Heatsink.. almost all components. but still when i power up only caps lock light flashed.. and the display is completly blank. No POST nothing.. I can hear the fan and hard drive spin and switchs off in a min. Can anyone help to find the solution for this please.. Many thanks in advance

02-04-2009, 06:52 PM	#11 (permalink)
LawDog Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7 OS: Windows XP	Re: DELL Laptop, not responding...power issues??? I have never found a solution to this problem. Just waiting until we can afford another laptop and take all the info off that one. Good luck!

02-05-2009, 12:58 PM	#12 (permalink)
rbalaji Tech, Microsoft Support Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 1,193 OS: Windows XP SP3	Re: DELL Laptop, not responding...power issues??? Flashing lock lights (caps lock, num lock, etc.) on a dell laptop indicates a RAM failure of some sort. If reseating the RAM did not help, here is what you have to do next. Take each stick of RAM and use it separately in each of the two slots of the computer to isolate the problem. If one stick works in both slots, but another stick does not work in either, it is a problem with that stick. Replace it. If both sticks work in one slot, but not in the other, there is a problem with that RAM slot. You will have to either live with RAM in just one slot or pay someone to further diagnose the problem with that slot and get it fixed. __________________ Balaji Ramanathan Computers - You can't live with them, you can't live without them!

04-09-2009, 08:30 AM	#13 (permalink)
machiner Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New England Posts: 15 OS: Debian GNU/Linux - Lenny	Re: DELL Laptop, not responding...power issues??? This occurs on my Hp Pavilion 6871 running debian Lenny as well. However, it's not a RAM issue, it's directly related to the intel Pro Wireless 4965 card inside.

04-29-2009, 10:02 AM	#14 (permalink)
westin40 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 5 OS: XP	Re: DELL Laptop, not responding...power issues??? Hi, Repaired one a few months ago with simular problems. Changed motherboard, ram, etc. to no avail. Purchased a used CPU from Ebay, laptop powered up and booted without further problems. Wes