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From: John Vallelunga on 25 Jan 2010 23:59
Caesar Valenti wrote:
> John Novicki Jr wrote:
>>
>> "Caesar Valenti" <caesarv(a)email.com> wrote in message
>> news:4b5d1f0c$0$1657$742ec2ed(a)news.sonic.net...
>>> William R. Walsh wrote:
>>>> Hi!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Any ideas on this? I know bad power jacks are a common problem,
>>>>> but what about other commonly known issues.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Have you tried another power adapter? (Didn't see that mentioned in
>>>> your original post.)
>>>>
>>>> The DC-DC converter circuit is another common problems. Newer
>>>> laptops usually have this built in the motherboard. If it fails,
>>>> you may have to replace the motherboard. However, limited repairs
>>>> are possible. Look for micro or even picofuses that may have blown
>>>> (test with a multimeter if you can't see whether they are blown or
>>>> not). Some look like little glass tubes (very little) while others
>>>> may take the shape of ICs (these have very few legs). They may also
>>>> look like resistors or diodes.
>>>>
>>>> William
>>>>
>>>>
>>> The problem is not with the power adapter....I have several. I had
>>> not thought about looking for a fuse...I might try that.
>>
>> Are you sure that the center pin is not broken? Also, you have to
>> change a setting in the Bios if the center pin is broken to allow the
>> computer to boot with AC only. Confused me at first when it occurred
>> on mine.
> Thanks.
> I have full continuity from all 3 contacts on the power supply
> connector to the motherboard. The laptop is completely dead if the
> battery is not installed; even if AC power is connected. It is as if
> a fuse is blown, but I haven't had a chance to check yet. The bios
> setting is only for checking compatibility of the AC adapter.
New info:
Removing the battery and then plugging in the AC adapter will allow the
laptop to work. Plugging in the battery actually makes the AC adapter
power LED go out. This leads me to believe that either the charging
circuit is bad or the battery is bad....even though the battery will
power the laptop just fine on its own. I will try to find another
battery for testing.
From: Caesar Valenti on 26 Jan 2010 02:17
Caesar Valenti wrote:
> John Novicki Jr wrote:
>>
>> "Caesar Valenti" <caesarv(a)email.com> wrote in message
>> news:4b5d1f0c$0$1657$742ec2ed(a)news.sonic.net...
>>> William R. Walsh wrote:
>>>> Hi!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Any ideas on this? I know bad power jacks are a common problem,
>>>>> but what about other commonly known issues.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Have you tried another power adapter? (Didn't see that mentioned in
>>>> your original post.)
>>>>
>>>> The DC-DC converter circuit is another common problems. Newer
>>>> laptops usually have this built in the motherboard. If it fails,
>>>> you may have to replace the motherboard. However, limited repairs
>>>> are possible. Look for micro or even picofuses that may have blown
>>>> (test with a multimeter if you can't see whether they are blown or
>>>> not). Some look like little glass tubes (very little) while others
>>>> may take the shape of ICs (these have very few legs). They may also
>>>> look like resistors or diodes.
>>>>
>>>> William
>>>>
>>>>
>>> The problem is not with the power adapter....I have several. I had
>>> not thought about looking for a fuse...I might try that.
>>
>> Are you sure that the center pin is not broken? Also, you have to
>> change a setting in the Bios if the center pin is broken to allow the
>> computer to boot with AC only. Confused me at first when it occurred
>> on mine.
> Thanks.
> I have full continuity from all 3 contacts on the power supply
> connector to the motherboard. The laptop is completely dead if the
> battery is not installed; even if AC power is connected. It is as if
> a fuse is blown, but I haven't had a chance to check yet. The bios
> setting is only for checking compatibility of the AC adapter.
New info:
Removing the battery and then plugging in the AC adapter will allow the
laptop to work. Plugging in the battery actually makes the AC adapter
power LED go out. This leads me to believe that either the charging
circuit is bad or the battery is bad....even though the battery will
power the laptop just fine on its own. I will try to find another
battery for testing.
From: William R. Walsh on 26 Jan 2010 12:24
Hi!

> John Vallelunga wrote
> Caesar Valenti wrote:

Identity crisis?

> Removing the battery and then plugging in the AC adapter will
> allow the laptop to work.

Are you sure the battery is good? (Warning: trying it in another
machine may break that machine, so be careful!) I'd bet that it is,
given that the system will run from it...but you never know.

> Plugging in the battery actually makes the AC adapter power
> LED go out.  This leads me to believe that either the charging
> circuit is bad or the battery is bad

It's probably the charging circuit that is bad. It will be very near--
if not built into--the DC-DC converter. So if the DC-DC converter is
built into the motherboard, the battery isn't the problem, and there
is no obvious fault that visual examination or some testing finds, it
is new motherboard time.

See what the Dell service manual says if you haven't already
downloaded it. It *might* be possible to get the charging circuit as a
separate part.

William
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