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    Insipon 1501 - can it be saved?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by PawBear, Jul 27, 2011.

  1. PawBear

    PawBear Newbie

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    Just stopped booting. The motherboard has momentary power. The fan starts to spin and the cd drive starts to spin with an Ubuntu boot disk; then everything stops dead, no action. The power supply light is on and the small light on the board is on (indicating power?). The power button does not turn the power to the board off. I have to unplug it.

    I'd like to give this to someone if I can get it working again.

    Any ideas.

    Thanks.
     
  2. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    I would;

    - Test out your AC adapter with a multimeter
    - Use a known good Dell 90 watt AC adapter
    - Remove the battery and AC adapter, hold down the power button for 30 seconds 2-3 times, see if that helps.

    After that, sounds like you have a power circuitry issue. Unless you want to buy parts off Ebay, save up your money for another notebook..
     
  3. PawBear

    PawBear Newbie

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    Thank you for your response. I very much appreciate it. Is a 90 watt power adapter what this notebook requires? The one I was given is only 65 watts. This is what the original owner received as a replacement for the original. Did they get the wrong one?

    Thanks.
     
  4. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    It may not require it, but is it a Dell branded 65 watt adapter? I prefer the 90 watt as it doesn't get as hot if you want to charge the laptop while gaming or doing something intensive. Also at the AC adapter limit, throttling can occur.
     
  5. micman

    micman Notebook Evangelist

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    ^^ yep

    also, if none of that fixes it, check my sig. its common
     
  6. PawBear

    PawBear Newbie

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    Thank you both for your help.

    The 65w power supply is Dell branded. I think also functional.

    Micman, your guide is excellent. I've already have the computer apart. I too suspect the battery and will replace it. I've also considered the possibility that the thermal paste between the cpu and cooler needs replacing but I'll certainly try the battery first.

    May I suggest a small addition to your your breakdown guide?

    You might suggest individuals take their own pictures as they progress. This might help beginners with their confidence levels as assembly is also required. Not everyone wants to tackle a job as this when in actuality it is really not all that difficult. I admit though, I wish I had seen your instructions before I started rather than after.

    Thanks again!

    P.s. Your instructions should be a stickie as it seems many machines are built in a similar fashion.
     
  7. micman

    micman Notebook Evangelist

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    That's a good idea. I do remember how I felt the first time I ever disassembled a laptop and it's a bit of a scary feeling. It didn't really help that I had a tough nut to crack (Averatec 3715eh). I took it into Best Buy and they said they wouldn't/couldn't do it so what choice did I have? :)

    I'm glad the post helped and I am really surprised how many people have needed to do the same or similar fixes to their Inspirons. I don't think stickies are made unless the OP keeps updating the post, which I haven't necessarily done enough. But thanks for the encouragement!

    Edit: I added a line to the disclaimer for you :)
     
  8. PawBear

    PawBear Newbie

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    Just an update:

    Wish I could say replacing the battery resolved my particular issue. I'm considering replacing the motherboard with a used one.

    Dells have many similar problems. However they are not the only ones. I recently replaced the monitor connection on my wife's Acer, a common problem over time. The interior of her machine is quite similar to this Dell. I suspect most laptops are.

    I know this is a common desire - upgrading the motherboard while a notebook is apart. I will do this if I'm able to discover motherboard configs similar to this 1501.

    Thanks for your help.