Need Help or Opinions, Inspiron 8400 and 9600

Hello again, got another problem. Any advice would be MUCH appreciated.

First off, I am a family man (ie: no money, lol) and only use my laptop whle at work to play online games and surf the web. I use my T-mobile Dash as a modem, and connect through a USB wire to my laptops active sync for netsharing.

First:

I had a Dell Ispiron 9600, I bought used about a yr ago for $ 500. Very sturdy machine, 4 USB ports that worked ect. I dropped it a few months ago and now have some dead pixels (vertical lines out). There was 4 at first but it grew to mabey 12 in all. Still useable, until I left it open by the bed and stepped on it... So, it was open, and I nearly broke it in half. One of the hinges is still attatched, and the one wire from the laptop to the screen is still attatched. I tried to turn it on, but the when I puch the power button, the green light on top blinks 3 times, and nothing happes. I have tried it with the battery, the power cord, and both. What does this sound like, and what are some likely ways to repair it. How can I tell if its a power switch, or the mother board? Any ideas at all?

Second:

I figured the cost of a new screen $130, a new case $75, someone to repair it $ ???, it would be cheaoper to buy a new-used one. So I bought a Dell Inspiron 8400 three days ago for $300. I thought I had esearhed anough to do this. I thought the 8400 was a overal "downgrade" but, a newer model... now I am not sure which is actually older between the 2 as far as manufacture...

Now, all was going well. It ( the 8400) seems to be working properly, though is more flimsy (but lighter) than the 9600. I loaded my game "World of Warcraft" and it runs great, with the settings on low..

Until: I downloaded the active sync 4.5 software from Microsoft. (I dont have any internet access at work except while using mycell as a modem).
I then turned on my cell, and attemtped to connect to the net. When I attatched the USB cable to the phone, I got a message, something like "USB Power surge" or something. SO, the T-mobile rep told me that the USB gets power pre-set from the motherboard, and my pc is so old, it will not work. My first thought is that this one seems newer than my old one. But they were both used, so I really have no idea.

The t-mobile support rep. advised me to go to Radio Shack and buy a powered USB port. I did this, and it converts the one port into 4. However, I still get the USB Surge message.

Is this a bad hub?
Is it not getting enough power to the port?
Is this (port power?) adjustakle in the settings?

There is a yellow question mark when I click on the "fix this problem" ballon on the bottom right, so is it just a missing driver? If so, how do I repair it?

How do I know?

I am really lost.

If I can fix the 8400 that would be great, but if I can, I will have to beg for the seller to return my money, and thats not likely to go good. (Bought it from a stranger on Craigslist). I could sell it, and use that to repair the 9600, but still, how much is that going to run?


So in conclusion, I have 2 dell laptops: one that will not turn on, and the other with a USB that will not run my cell phone? LOL, I think I am in trouble here.

Its not that I am cheap, its just that in my reality I cant afford a new one.

Any, ANY, thoughts, ideas, opinions or even inpiration would be gladly appreciated and welcomed. I am really bumed and confused over this.

Thank you for reading my novel, I mean, realy long post.

 

just sell both of your laptops and get this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834114611
it will save you a headache

 

do all the USB ports result in the same error?

also, i agree with the previous poster. inspiron 8400 is really old now, would have been better to just get a low end new dell like the Vostro A860 which is going for $350ish brand new.