Member Avatar for Saritak9

Problem with a dell insprion 1000 purchased before Tsunami and left in India(stored safely very far (100's of miles from Tsuanmi)).... just recovered it, it worked a few days but now when powered on does nothing... tried changing plugs, disconnecting battery, holding power button on for 30 seconds.... blinks and goes off after 1/2 a second.... want to know what to do... barely used it ... the warranty is expired because didn't have acess to it, forgot it in India... went to help for Tsunami, but don't have the money for it ... perhaps it is the mother board ? What do you think...any suggestions?
Thank u, Sari

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by DenisOxon

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Short summary and a focused test plan that builds on suggestions already posted by , , and .

A very brief blink then immediate shutdown usually means either the adapter/cord or the laptop power circuitry detects a fault as soon as you press power. Before spending money, use these safe, low-cost checks to narrow the cause.

  • Check the adapter under load with a DMM: read the printed output voltage on the adapter, measure the barrel plug with the meter set to DC volts, then measure again while the adapter is plugged into the laptop and you press the power button. A collapse of several volts under load points to a failing adapter or a short in the laptop. Verify polarity by reading the adapter label (do not probe blindly).

  • Inspect the barrel plug and DC jack: look for bent pins, blackening, loose solder, or corrosion. Wiggle the plug gently while watching the LED; any flicker means a bad cable or jack. If comfortable opening the case, inspect for green/white corrosion or bulging/burned capacitors near the power input.

  • Non-invasive board checks: count and note the exact LED blink pattern (number of blinks, pause, repeat). That pattern helps identify which subsystem is failing. Also listen for any beeps. Record and share the pattern when asking for help.

  • If the adapter measures OK but voltage still collapses, a shorted SMD fuse or damaged MOSFET/regulator on the motherboard is likely. Those parts are replaceable and typically a low-cost local repair. If not comfortable, have a shop run a short-fault trace.

Data note: if the laptop is otherwise dead but the hard drive is intact, remove the drive and read it with a USB-to-IDE/SATA adapter to recover files. Safety: remove power and battery before opening, use basic ESD precautions, and avoid probing powered boards unless experienced. If planning to contact Dell for repair options, avoid breaking warranty seals until you confirm their policy.

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Member Avatar for caperjack

more info about the laptop and less about the tsunami might help us, did you plug it and and just leave it overnight to charge the battery fully ,first ! it maybe the motherboard ,it maybe the cpu ,it may be the harddrive,the video shipset ,the ram ,did you leave a cd disk in the cdrom drive ,sometimes this can cause problems with laptops

Member Avatar for Saritak9

1. did you plug it and and just leave it overnight to charge the battery fully ?
YES, BUT THE BATTERY DIED LONG AGO AND NEVER HELD CHARGE AND I HAD TO REMOVE AND RUN DIRECTLY WITH ADAPTER, USED IT THAT WAY FOR DAYS.

2.first ! it maybe the motherboard ,it maybe the cpu ,it may be the harddrive,the video shipset ,the ram,
POSSIBLE BUT I THINK IT IS POWER SUPPLY OR MOTHER BOARD. SINCE THE POWER DOESN'T GO THROUGH

3.did you leave a cd disk in the cdrom drive? ,sometimes this can cause problems with laptops
DON'T THINK SO.

Member Avatar for caperjack

POSSIBLE BUT I THINK IT IS POWER SUPPLY OR MOTHER BOARD. SINCE THE POWER DOESN'T GO THROUGH

sounds good to me ,cheapest is to try buying a power supply cord first .

Member Avatar for caperjack

also you could try removing and re-seating the ram, and the hard drive ,sometimes after sitting for long periods this need to be done

Member Avatar for Saritak9

Thank you so much for 2 cents that worth 1000 times more to me! Thank you!

Member Avatar for caperjack

Thank you so much for 2 cents that worth 1000 times more to me! Thank you!

did that fix it .

Member Avatar for Saritak9

THE VOLTAGE IS CORRECT on the powe supply?
If I open up will it create a problem(seal broken) with the warranty(which expired).... or should I purchase an extended warranty?

Member Avatar for caperjack

whos going to sell you an extended warranty now!!

Member Avatar for goldeagle2005

Good suggesion by caperjack about the memory. You might want to try starting the system in diagnostic mode. Hold down the 'Fn' button and then power the system up. If the system board is alive, it should begin the 32 Bit Diagnostics. Follow the onscreen instructions. If it does not work, get back to us.

Member Avatar for DenisOxon

I would contact Dell and see if they will fix it for free in the circumstances. Some have a three year warranty anyway. DON'T break any seals in case they will sort.

Denis

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