Fixing a busted laptop
Discussion
Got a Dell Inspiron 4000 here (2001 vintage)
Most of the time when you power up, the num/caps/scroll LED's light up along with the power light, then they all turn off and on quickly every 2-3 seconds. The hard disk light flashes about every 5 seconds. The machine refuses to start up or boot, or spin up the hard disk etc. Very occasionally it will start up OK. Oddly if I plug in AC power it will not follow this sequence - just turns the LEDs on briefly then switches off again.
I've taken the thing to bits and put it back together again .. tried different memory, different battery, tried without the hard disk, nothing is loose or stuck in there.
Anyone know about Dell error codes and able to decode this? Otherwise I'm down the IBM shop to buy a new one
Cheers
>>> Edited by john_p on Wednesday 29th September 20:28
Most of the time when you power up, the num/caps/scroll LED's light up along with the power light, then they all turn off and on quickly every 2-3 seconds. The hard disk light flashes about every 5 seconds. The machine refuses to start up or boot, or spin up the hard disk etc. Very occasionally it will start up OK. Oddly if I plug in AC power it will not follow this sequence - just turns the LEDs on briefly then switches off again.
I've taken the thing to bits and put it back together again .. tried different memory, different battery, tried without the hard disk, nothing is loose or stuck in there.
Anyone know about Dell error codes and able to decode this? Otherwise I'm down the IBM shop to buy a new one
Cheers
>>> Edited by john_p on Wednesday 29th September 20:28
.Mark said:
Can't help with the Dell errors, but if you feel the need to go the IBM route drop me a line
Probably going to replace this laptop anyway .. was going to get an IBM next as I've been recommended them .. YHM!
pug406 said:
Try booting with no cd drive in or any pc cards
Tried that.. nothing
Had a similar problem with a Dell latitude CPx at work, 1 in 5 startups would fail exactly same lights as yours
Had a new mother board fitted to test, but still happened. Dismantled hardrive from laptop, re-connected and it seemed to be ok for a month or 2 then started playing up again, 1 in every 5 power ups it done exactly the same.
Spoke to a Dell engineer who stated "the harddrive is on its way out". Needless to say I.S. dept had to aquire a new machine.
May be worth trying this....
http://support.euro.dell.com/uk/en/kb/document.asp?DN=1017415
>> Edited by obi on Wednesday 29th September 22:17
Had a new mother board fitted to test, but still happened. Dismantled hardrive from laptop, re-connected and it seemed to be ok for a month or 2 then started playing up again, 1 in every 5 power ups it done exactly the same.
Spoke to a Dell engineer who stated "the harddrive is on its way out". Needless to say I.S. dept had to aquire a new machine.
May be worth trying this....
http://support.euro.dell.com/uk/en/kb/document.asp?DN=1017415
>> Edited by obi on Wednesday 29th September 22:17
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