R4 random shutdown; Won't Start

I was just browsing the interwebs and my computer shut down on me. The power plug seemed like it was being drained, the light on the plug flickered and dimmed until it went out. I now have a power adapter that doesnt receive power to the plug (no lights light up on the plug) Also, my laptop wont boot up. No lights come on, on the laptop. Its just a dead, no lit brick at the moment.

Anyone have any advice. i will not be able to try any thoughts until later this evening, but your ideas will be much appreciated.

 

Sounds like the power adaptor has flaked out and the battery has fully drained? Press the button on the battery pack with the row of lights next to it, if it does not light then the battery is dead

 

No, the battery is full. I was hoping it was something that easy. So far all I have read is that this is a short in my motherboard I'm hoping someone can prove me wrong on this one.

 

It is sounding like that. Does the power cord light up until you plug it in?

 

No, that was the wierd thing. Whatever happened it killed my PSU as well. I have no lights on the power plug or any lights on the laptop.

 

That sounds very strange. Time to get dell involved - they may want a return to depot, but try for an on-site MB and power supply replacement.

 

Thing with the on-site is, I'm still in Afghanistan right now for another 3 months. Sad Panda for sure. I'll have to send it in.

 

That sucks, are they still giving you guys problems with shipping anything with a laptop battery in it?

 

No, they just fixed that issue not to long ago though. As long as the battery is in whatever it is your sending then it's ok. But you still can't ship just the battery itself.

 

Common sense prevails. At least you wont have to explain the issue up the ying-yang when you say you want to send it in...

 

If I do have to send this back, do I need to have all original shipped parts in it? Like the old GPU, screen, memory and hardrive?

 

That's a tricky one. Strictly speaking as per the waranty, it should be returned to original but since it's dead them maybe do not mention it? If they get it powered up to discover it is not original it's already fixed

Edit: one drawback with that option, if they say that a part you put in caused the failure then you will be billed

 

lol Good point.

 

If I try my old 180w PSU and plug it in and I lose power to that PSU once plugged in, that means the mobo is shot and needs replaced? or I just need to release some static that's in there with the hold the power button for 30 seconds trick?

 

Yup, sure sounds like the VReg on the MB.

Can't see a power drain/bios reset working, I did think of it but as the power adaptor fried AND the battery is full it's a long shot; but not too much of a timewaster.

 

I have tried a different PSU and the light goes out when plugged in. I have tried holding the power button. I also pulled the CMOS battery. None of that worked. Seems to me like I have myself a shot mobo. Now the question is, How much will it cost me to ship this thing across the world to get fixed? would I be better off cost wise to just buy and replace one myself?

 

put everything original back into the laptop, they might replace other components and you will lose your parts

 

Good thinking

Since you are obviously not afraid of pulling it apart it is an option. It sure sounds like the MB (and you're going to need a PSU) but there is still that remote chance that a component elsewhere started the cascade effect through the MB to the PSU?

Dell do ship parts-only if you ask, I've done this, but Afganistan, you need a really friendly rep for that one!

Good Luck.

 

So i have completly took this thing apart and have the motherboard out was looking around, come to find a huge corrodid area, like there was something spilt on it or something. It looks nasty. Almost like the battery post on an old vehicle. I'm dumbfounded that Dell would even ship something like this. I know for a fact that I have not spilt anything on it, and nobody but myself has ever used my laptop, but, some sort of liquid was obviously dripped in this area. I am almost positive that it is the motherboard that was shorted out in this area. Just took some time for it to actually occure. Also, the PSU light does come on now. After the incident I had unplugged everything and came back to it, plugging the PSU in the plug lights up. So, I think i'm fine with the PSU I have.

I will try my luck with getting a board shipped to me. I think that will be the best and fastes solution. Rather than paying out the you know what, to try and ship a 10lb computer over seas.

 

The best option would be to send it to a US address and setup the repair then, it's how we usually handle overseas cases.

Try to send it with the original parts to avoid any confusions or misunderstandings.

 

Sent you a PM.