Member Avatar for bayrrej

laptop will not start. Intermitent lights. Power supply is good and there is power to the motherboard. I have seen a lot of postings of people having the same problem. Is there any help out there? :rolleyes:

I'm having a similar problem with an Inspiron 8000. Did you ever resolve this? Or did you have to replace the motherboard?
thanks,
jb

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  • 4 Years Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by bmanilow

Dani AI

Generated

Brief expert note for readers working through these Inspiron 'won't start' reports: several people in this thread (for example and ) describe no‑boot / intermittent‑LED symptoms, and has offered a hardware angle. Useful progress comes from consistent, repeatable observations plus a short, safe checklist. Below are the highest‑value things to report and a compact, non‑invasive troubleshooting sequence to try before opening the case.

What to include when asking for help

  • Exact Dell model and Service Tag (eg. Inspiron 1150), and OS if relevant.
  • Precise symptom: LED color(s), steady or blink pattern (count and rhythm), any fans/HDD activity, or beep codes.
  • Power state: battery in/out, AC adapter light on/off, any recent events (drop, spill, lightning).
  • What you already tried (do not skip this — it prevents repeated suggestions).
  • Photos of the DC jack area and underside if you opened the case.

Safe, prioritized checks (do these first)

  • Power‑drain: remove battery and AC, hold power button 30–60 seconds, then try AC only.
  • Visual inspection: look for cracked DC jack, loose power‑button cable, bulging/leaking capacitors, scorch marks. Photograph anything suspicious.
  • Preserve data early: remove the hard drive and connect it to another PC with a USB adapter/enclosure to copy important files.
  • If comfortable and equipped: measure adapter output with a multimeter and check for stable voltage at the DC jack. If not comfortable, stop and get a pro.

When to involve a technician

  • If the jack has broken solder joints, a professional resoldering is inexpensive compared with board replacement. If multiple power rails are dead, the board may need component‑level repair or replacement. If you open a new thread, include the checklist items and photos so helpers can give targeted advice (as suggested).

Recommended Answers

All 11 Replies

Member Avatar for jeepney

Did you ever resolve boot up problem? Have inspiron 8000 with same problem.

jeepney

Member Avatar for bobthecar

when it boots pree the FN KEY and f8 work 80% of the time. system look for other monitor then just shuts off

fn key is between ctrl and alt left and side

Member Avatar for ambergipson

daughters computer someone reset her username and password and we can't get it to start. please help, she really needs it for schoolwork.

Member Avatar for Nick Evan

daughters computer someone reset her username and password and we can't get it to start. please help, she really needs it for schoolwork.

I guess you still see the login-screen of windows? If you press ctrl-alt-del (a few times) in the loginscreen you will be able to fill in a username. If you can't remember your own name, you could type 'administrator'. Leave the passwordfield blank and if your very lucky it will start windows..

Member Avatar for spirogyra

try to boot windows XP in safe mode ( pressing F8 during boot) then you should be able to log on as the administrator WITHOUT using a password ( if there was no password set during the window install)
and you can reset her password and username from there..

Member Avatar for leslieariel

i am a 47 year old microelectronics engineer,i design, build,repair and troubleshoot memory for DELL, HP & COMPAQ i am certified internationally by the association of integrated printed circuits and ive been in the computer business for 27yrs and since 1982
we need to be a bit more specific about "wont start" you have probably bought a new laptop by now but i presently have a dell inspiron 1150 disassembled into 25 pieces for a client and im checking to see if the power adapter is loose from the motherboard.ill post a solution when im done but when you say wont start you should be more specific i.e. doesnt boot to windows or no led power light at all /dead etc.im able to deduct that in some cases here it boots but doesnt load.

Member Avatar for garnman

can you please let me no your results please? i got a dell latitude d610 working great, plugged in charger the other day thought i heard a little bang and now it wont power on at all! i totally dismantled it to motherboard and reassembled tried different memory tried charging without battery in but nothing any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. thanks for your time

Member Avatar for Bob_180_Bob

This post was last used on Nov 3rd, 2006
I do not think your information is very relevant now to the original poster but others may see and gain from it.

Member Avatar for unsalted

i am a 47 year old microelectronics engineer,i design, build,repair and troubleshoot memory for DELL, HP & COMPAQ i am certified internationally by the association of integrated printed circuits and ive been in the computer business for 27yrs and since 1982
we need to be a bit more specific about "wont start" you have probably bought a new laptop by now but i presently have a dell inspiron 1150 disassembled into 25 pieces for a client and im checking to see if the power adapter is loose from the motherboard.ill post a solution when im done but when you say wont start you should be more specific i.e. doesnt boot to windows or no led power light at all /dead etc.im able to deduct that in some cases here it boots but doesnt load.

So what do I do? 3 weeks without a computer...no one has any idea
what the problem is....this will be my 3rd power cord(if I buy one)...
Do I need to buy a new computer?
Merry Christmas

Member Avatar for Bob_180_Bob

Hi unsalted and welcome to Daniweb,
Please open your own thread with details about you machine, OS and problem. How long it has been happening, whast you have done to fix it, what you have downloaded, installed, uninstalled, etc etc...
Someone will try and assist you when they know what you need.

Member Avatar for bmanilow

I have this model laptop, but cannot get the 'print screen' key to work. 'Control+Prt Scrn' isn't working to do this. Dies this mean the Print Screen key is bad?

commented: This post is nearly 2 years old let it die start your own thread +0
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