Member Avatar for ratstone

I have a Dell Latitude D610 that I was working on for a friend. When I plug the adapter in the wall the led is on. When I plug into the computer the led on adapter goes off. I have no power to computer. What could be the problem? It's a brand new adapter. I am assuming its a short somewhere. How would I troubleshoot? Thanks for your help.

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Given the symptoms and the checks already reported by and the pointers from , a quick meter-based isolation will tell whether the universal adapter or the laptop’s input circuitry is at fault. The following steps are safe, low-cost checks that narrow the problem without dismantling the machine further.

A simple adapter test: with the adapter plugged into mains but not into the laptop, measure DC volts across the inner pin and outer barrel with a digital multimeter (20V DC range). Note the reading and the adapter’s rated voltage on its label. Now insert the plug into the laptop and measure again. If the voltage collapses to near 0V (and the adapter LED dies), the adapter’s protection is tripping because the laptop is presenting a short or heavy load. If the voltage stays at the rated value but the laptop still shows no power, the problem is most likely on the laptop board rather than the adapter.

With all power removed (adapter unplugged and battery out) check for a DC‑input short: put the meter on continuity or low-resistance and probe the jack center versus chassis ground on the board. A persistent near‑zero ohm reading strongly suggests a shorted input, a blown input fuse, or a damaged regulator/MOSFET. Also inspect the jack area for burn marks, corrosion, or loose/broken solder joints; many failures are visible around the DC jack or nearby small SMD fuses.

Repair options: if the jack or input fuse is the culprit, replacing that small part or the jack/daughterboard is usually cheaper than a full motherboard swap. If the adapter fails the voltage test, verify the universal adapter’s exact output voltage, tip fit, polarity and minimum current rating and test with a known-good OEM Dell adapter. Safety note: only perform voltage/continuity checks if comfortable with a multimeter; avoid measuring current directly and seek professional micro-soldering service if unsure.

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Member Avatar for EMCCleveland

This sounds like a case of something causing the laptop to draw too much power for the adapter, or causing a fault in it. I am going to assume at this point the laptop doesn't power off battery alone or the battery is charged.

I would recommend first removing the battery and trying to power it on without the battery. When an adapter is trying to charge battery and power laptop both it draws alot more power and this could be the problem if the adapter is weak it fails then.

Second while you have the battery removed inspect it for signs of heat stress or discoloration. Most people don't consider this but if a cell ruptures or shorts inside the battery case it can show these effects, and cause substantial power draw and cook an adapter and sometimes the laptop too.

Third if these don't give indications of the problem, remove the hard drive then try powering system on with hard drive remved. As you do this try and put slight (not too hard) pressure on the jack with the adapterand shift it's position trying to turn it on at the same time. This may show you if you have a bad DC jack, this model I believe has either 5 or 7 legs to the DC jack which can be the source of problems like this if there is a cracked solder joint.

Finally, reinstall your battery and hard drive then with power reconnected feel down the length of the power cables on the adapter for any hot ares, if there is a pinched or shorted wire you may feel a hot area on the cord.

Member Avatar for ratstone

The adapter is new. The LED going out when plugged in indicates a short. I did try removing the hard drive and the battery and still get the same results. I also tried applying the pressure on the jack but no luck.

Member Avatar for EMCCleveland

This may seem like a dumb thing to ask, but it may be worth verifying that the adapter meets the power requirements of that Laptop, if I remember correctly the 610 is a model that requires a 90W adapter make certain you don't have a 60W or 65W adapter.

If this is the correct adapter and you didn't end up with a bad one out of the box then the problem likely lies on the board in terms of power distribution and switching or in the DC jack.

Incidently the removal of the HD during the testing with the DC jack was for the purpose of not sending short voltage surges into the drive any more than needed if the DC jack was failing and you were wiggling it during power on.

Member Avatar for ratstone

The adapter is a universal one (targus) and it does list the Dell model. I'm not sure waht the power rating is. The laptop belongs to someone else and they had told me a tech was working on the computer with the same results on the original adapter and he tol;d them they needed an adapter.

Member Avatar for EMCCleveland

There is a chance that it could still be the adapter then depending on it's rating, if it isn't then you are looking at something within the power distribution / regulating system which generally means taking the laptop apart to see if it is the DC jack or something which has come loose that you can reseat otherwise you are basically considering a MB replacement which I don't know would be worth the money for this laptop.

Member Avatar for ishti54

hi,
is there anyone who can help me to sort out more or less same problem i m having with my sony vaio t1xp laptop. i was working fine but one day i tried to connect my mobile watch via usb , as soon as i conect it the laptop went dead within no second and never turn on again. no light no other signe of life.
please advise..
thanks

Member Avatar for rungun

Any further luck with your problem. I am having a similar issue with the D610, but in my case I have the original adapter and it does exactly what you describe. Please let me know if you found out anything to solve the problem

thanks
rungun

I have a Dell Latitude D610 that I was working on for a friend. When I plug the adapter in the wall the led is on. When I plug into the computer the led on adapter goes off. I have no power to computer. What could be the problem? It's a brand new adapter. I am assuming its a short somewhere. How would I troubleshoot? Thanks for your help.

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