Laptop Diagnostic- Need Advice!

4599 Views 5 Replies 3 Participants Last post by shadow121, Sep 3, 2005

Redcatcher

Discussion Starter · Sep 3, 2005

I have a dell Inspiron 8600 that is out of warranty and need advice on what to do next. First, it quit charging the battery. It powers up and runs fine on the A/C power brick but the LED charge indicator light does not come on. I know for certain the battery is good and the system recognizes it. Dell wants me to call their support number and pay them $39 for a diagnostic. They DID tell me in an e-mail though that it sounds as if the motherboard has gone bad but to try a new A/C brick first. Then, last night, I lost my video..The monitor shuts down as soon as Windows launches. I have audio though. My question is, does it sound as if the motherboard has gone bad and should I buy one and try installing it myself?
Thanks!
Paul S.

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Redcatcher

Discussion Starter · #2 · Sep 3, 2005

I just ran a fast diagnostic in BIOS and both the battery charger and video card passed the connection test. :4-dontkno

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Redcatcher

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 3, 2005

Update! The switch that activates sleep mode when the lid is shut was stuck. DOH! As a result, as soon as Windows would launch it would go into sleep mode. It took me long enough to 'figgur' it out but I am no geek...Just stubborn and ornery :wink: . As for the battery not charging, I am going to buy a new A/C brick since diagnostics revealed that the charger is working.

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Terrister

· #4 · Sep 3, 2005 (Edited)

Sounds like a plan. How old is the battery?

Check Ebay for power bricks and batteries.

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Redcatcher

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 3, 2005

The battery is a year old and has had very little use. I bought a brand new battery anyway on eBay since I know batteries can go bad just sitting. The laptop powered up on the new battery just fine but would not charge it.

This forum is awesome! I am glad I found you guys.

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shadow121

· #6 · Sep 3, 2005

Redcatcher said:
I have a dell Inspiron 8600 that is out of warranty and need advice on what to do next. First, it quit charging the battery. It powers up and runs fine on the A/C power brick but the LED charge indicator light does not come on. I know for certain the battery is good and the system recognizes it. Dell wants me to call their support number and pay them $39 for a diagnostic. They DID tell me in an e-mail though that it sounds as if the motherboard has gone bad but to try a new A/C brick first. Then, last night, I lost my video..The monitor shuts down as soon as Windows launches. I have audio though. My question is, does it sound as if the motherboard has gone bad and should I buy one and try installing it myself?
Thanks!
Paul S.

To run the diags on the laptop do the following

when turning the laptop on press the f12 every second.. do this straight after you press the power button.
you will get a boot menue choose the diagnostic optionthe system will go through a pre test which you must answer any questions on colours etc etc
when this is done choose the custome test and find the battery test

[/QUOTE]=the LED charge indicator light does not come on[/QUOTE].

This means the battery is gone.
try the following with the ac power in
you can check the bios to see if the battery is seen .press f8 every second after pressing the power button. then use alt+p to change the bios pages of the -> arrow. you will see a page in the bios showing the battery status saying either
charging-discharging.. or no battery at all.
if the battery status is charging then it is fine
if discharging or not shown then new battery is needed

Hope this helps
..

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