Inspiron 8600 Damaged Center Control Cover

Hi guys,

Just registered here (even though I've been visiting this site for many years now) and I was just wondering if anyone could offer a little help with an issue I've got with my Inspiron 8600...

The cable for the "center control cover" of my Dell Inspiron 8600 (see #3 of http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins8500/en/8600cr/sm/system.htm#999507) was recently damaged/cut and it doesn't work anymore so I'm unable to power my laptop using the power button. I was wondering whether there's some alternate internal power button or alternate way of powering up my laptop until I find a replacement part for it.

Thanks for any help,
Arneh

P.S. To anyone in Vancouver, BC, would you happen to know of any used computer part stores that sell replacement parts for older Dell laptops? I'm going to call Cal's Computer Warehouse tomm. (if they're open) to see if they do but I don't really know of many others.

 

I'm assuming that you are unable to turn the laptop on at this point, right?

The safest way would be to get a replacement part, probably from eBay. It would have to be built for the 8600, and pulled from another 8600. The not-so-safe way involves a soldier iron and possibly some electrical tape...but I am not going to be held liable for you damaging the laptop or yourself.

If you get the laptop to turn on one more time, I suggest you program in the BIOS an auto-wake-up time and then leave it on 24/7 until you have a replacement part.

 

Yeah, I'm unable to turn the laptop on at this point. As for a replacement part, I've looked and have found some on eBay but I've got to travel on Saturday and since tomorrow is Canada Day odds are it wouldn't arrive until next week which is why I was trying to figure out whether I could somehow manually turn it on or find some local store in Vancouver that has the part.

Nevertheless thanks for your help Greg,
Arneh