Studio 1555 Power failure, please advise...

So my Studio 1555 up and died on me. No screen showing "Adapter not recognized" type messages, it won't power on and won't accept the power adapter, with or without the battery attached.

Prior to attaching the adapter, the adapter light is on. As soon as i insert the lead into the ac connector, the light on the adapter goes out. It's been suggested this is because the power is flowing back out from the AC jack?

I've tried a different (but same model) adapter with the same result

I can't get it to power on, no matter what combination of pressing function keys and power button i try. It's been a few weeks since this happened now.

In the weeks running up to this, there was no abnormal behavior just a "ticking" noise coming from the power adapter, that i've since learned is fairly typical of these crappy Dell chargers.

My question is, is it worth me replacing the AC connector (and getting a new adapter) - in the hope it's this relatively cheap part and not the motherboard that's blown?

I'm not a hardware expert by any means, just know enough to be dangerous.

The machine is running WIn7, and about a year out of warranty.

Thanks for any help

 

If the light on the adapter is going out it means there's a short on the motherboard, which means you almost certainly have to get a new motherboard.

You can try to replace the adapter (they are cheap; less than $20 for a genuine part), but I doubt it will fix the issue.

Said motherboard still goes for more than $100; you may consider saving up for a new machine.

 

Thanks Wolf

Any ideas where i could get a new board in the US? Only place i've found wants $240 for a refurbished one!
C235M | Dell Studio 1555 Motherboard Refurbished

 

I've got refurbished on eBay for $100:

C235M Dell Studio 1555 Laptop Motherboard | eBay

This guy says his boards are new for $120:

DELL STUDIO 1555 LAPTOP MOTHERBOARD C235M 0C235M CN0C235M CN-0C235M 31FM8MB0000 | eBay