ugh... hello again

so, i was on here a while back having problems with my inspiron 1520, which i got resolved (mostly). Anyhoo, now i'm having some bigger problems...

first off, the specs:

Inspiron 1520
250GB HDD 7200RPM
4GB DDR2 RAM
Core 2 Duo T7250 2.0GHz
Windows Vista Home

Ok, my laptop won't turn on. When I push the power button, the HDD does what it normally does, sounds like it normally sounds upon pushing said button, but then just stops, and does nothing. The screen does nothing as well. I can see from the lit-up icons on the side of my laptop that there IS power, but HDD does nothing. I've tried both my HDD's, and same thing happens with each. Can someone please tell me what wrong?

*UPDATE*

It actually did turn on, but said that windows failed to start and to insert the operating system disc to 'repair computer'. when i found my disc and inserted it, i tried to press enter to continue, and it was frozen. I turned it off again, and now of course it won't turn on. >:[

 

Okay you got to get it straight;

Power on is you get fans spinning, LEDs. POST is getting video. Does it power on and POST or what?

Sounds like you are intermittently not getting video which could mean alot of things. Try reseatting RAM/HDD and using known good RAM.

 

haha pardon my ignorance. Powers on, doesn't post.

i've tried reseating my HDD, both of them, and still it doesn't post. the ram i have now is after market, so i'll try the original ram stick it came with. but what if it doesn't do anything? could it be anything else??

 

Could be the GPU. Which one did you have? The 1520 come with either the Intel GMA 3100 graphics or the Nvidia 8400M GS/8600M GT GPU.

 

I believe it's the intel gpu. my original memory didn't do anything, either. if it is my gpu, what can i do? is there any way to make sure it's my gpu?

 

I don't know if the Inspiron 1520 implements the same PAID/PSA+ diagnostics as the Studio systems, But you could try these:

1) Basic LCD panel function test - with the laptop off, press and hold the "D" key on the laptop while pressing the power button. If this test is supported, you should see the panel cycle through a series of solid colors and then turn off.

2) PSA+ diagnostics - with the laptop off, press and hold the "Fn" key while pressing the power button as in the previous test. This should give you a diagnostic screen. If the laptop doesn't have a Fn key, remove the battery and AC adapter. While holding down the power button, plug the AC adapter back in (leave the battery out).

 

Ok, so for the first test the colors cycled just as you said, but didn't turn off. had to manually turn it off (don't know if that last bit is relevant, but i'll add it anyway)

for the second test, my 'lock' button (numeric, caps, and scroll i think) indicators lit up, but other than that my computer didn't do much. And I had to turn it off manually.

I had no idea about any of these tests btw. haha.

 

Probably not - I don't have the documentation for your Inspiron, only for some Studio systems.

At least you know that the LCD panel is working, so we can rule out a problem with that.

No video and no beeps? Then I think your system doesn't support this test.

Dell likes to keep it a secret. The real service manuals are not the ones they post for customer use on their web site. As an example, the one for the Studio 153x is 451 pages long.

 

well, i sincerely thank you for this info.

if it is my gpu, what can i do to fix the problem, or am i just totally screwed?

 

I would tend to think it isn't the GPU, since you can get the panel to light up and display colors with the D-test.

I don't suppose it is still under warranty?

 

that makes sense.

no, it's not under warranty anymore.

 

Does it give any indication that the system is running? For example, on power-on do the keyboard LEDs change after a brief period of time? Any beeps? Does the fan speed change (you should be able to hear it)?

I assume that you didn't do something like update the BIOS before this started happening?

Can you hook up an external monitor (the laptop probably has a VGA or HDMI port) and see if anything shows there?

You could open the system and try re-seating the memory module(s). You could also try removing any internal expansion cards (WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.). Be careful as the antenna connectors on those cards are quite fragile - you could just unplug the cards from the motherboard and leave the antennas connected to the cards (making sure that nothing shorts out with the motherboard).

Beyond that, I think you'd need to to something like open the system and check for loose connections on any of the flexible cables, make sure the fan is operating and isn't clogged with dust or cat fur, and so on.

Back in the old days, you could use a "port 80 diagnostic card" on the parallel port or in a mini-PCI slot. I don't know if current laptop BIOSes (BIOI?) support this, or where to get a card that would plug into someplace useful on a modern notebook.

Perhaps there's someone here who repairs systems and has more current info / a better idea?

 

no, no indication. at the very start, there are sounds like the hdd wants to start, and the hard drive indicator lights up like it usually does, and then stops. the fans don't change, no more sounds, nothing.

i didn't update anything. i merely shut it down, and when i went to use it the next day it had gone stupid.

i've tried reseating the memory, and both hard drives i have. i'll try my wifi card. and if that doesn't work, i suppose i could try opening it up. there's a computer place here that supposedly repairs laptops for cheap, but i'd rather not if i don't have to, or if it really is something simple that i'm missing here...

i'll try doing these things again, and see what i come up with.

 

Vista has a weird program prefetch protocol for commonly used programs that can cause a black screen at startup.

This screen can last for 5-10 min, maybe more, but the system eventually loads.

To decrease program load time, Windows prefetches(pre-loads) commonly used programs at startup. If these programs are deleted, windows looks for them unsucessfully during startup and it can cause the blank screen delay.

Deleting the old prefetch data might resolve your problem

Download ccleaner

install and open

The only box that needs to be checked in this instance is old prefetch data in the windows tab under advanced, the others are optional.

run the cleaner and restart the computer.

 

unfortunately, this non-functioning state lasts for more than 10 minutes. i had it running for at least an hour, in its current condition, and still nothing happened. i still haven't opened it up and performed electrical surgery yet, mostly for fear of making things worse. I also just tried hooking up another monitor, and still nothing... if my gpu is toast, i'm gonna have to replace the motherboard to fix it, aren't I??

 

The original poster's computer isn't even displaying the BIOS logo, so it isn't starting at all.

 

According to the Dell service manual, the GPU is on a separate video card.

eBay lists a number of sellers for the video card (search for "inspiron 1520 video card") from $29 on up. There seem to be a number of different models, so you may need to open your system and check the part number first (unless you happen to have your original Dell packing list with the part number on it).

eBay also lists a number of sellers for "inspiron 1520 motherboard repair" where you ship them your system and they then give you an estimate to repair it.

I don't have any experience with any of those sellers and to be honest I'm not familiar with NVIDIA video products, so I can't say how likely it is that a video board would fix your problem.

If you do send your system to someone for repair, I'd suggest removing your hard drive first - that way you can be sure that it won't be erased as part of the repair process. The repair shop shouldn't need your drive to fix the problem you're experiencing with the system.

 

If you have the Nvidia GPU there are 2 part numbers: KU907 is the 8400M GS 128MB P/N and UW390 is the 8600M GT 256 MB P/N. They are interchangeable. Motherboard is a whole seperate thing.

KU926 is the PM965 for the Inspiron 1520 and WY041 is the PM965 for the Vostro 1500 (compatible).

 

wow. this is actaully really good news. i was afraid i'd have to replace the whole motherboard. i guess i'll open it up, with the dell service manual up on my roomy's computer, and try replacing the video card.

i don't know if i'll actually need to send it out. the computer place here, i've heard from reviews online, is pretty knowledgeable and honest. i'll of course take my hard drive out if i do end up taking it in. but, honestly, i don't think i'll need to. everyone here has been more than helpful!!

 

If you don't feel comfortable doing it, but it honestly isn't that horrible to get to. Just draw a diagram where all the screws go, and follow the service manual and it should be easy to do.

 

uh, ok, so i opened it up, and didn't see where the diagram showed the graphics card assembly to be. in face, i didn't see any place for it. there is an intel chip here, of which i do not know the purpose. intel nh82801hbm. from what i've read, it seems to be the video controller, but not for certain. any ideas???

 

I'm not familiar with your model, but many Dell systems were available with both "integrated" graphics (part of the Intel chipset) and "discrete" graphics (an add-on ATI or Nvidia chip, which may or may not be on a separate board from the mainboard).

You may have a notebook w/ integrated graphics.

While you're in there (if you haven't closed it back up), look for the motherboard part number and see how much a replacement goes for on eBay. Then you can decide whethere to attempt the swap yourself or send the system out for repair.

 

ok, so the part number for my motherboard is p/n KU926, and i could replace it with the same board. Or, i could replace it with the WP044 motherboard with the discrete card setup (i'd have to buy the graphics card separately, but whatever).

The third option i foresee is this: for a while now, i've been wanting to build a tower pc. I have the tower, the power source, and the HDD. i was planning to sell this one, and use the money, along with money i've saved up to build a decent gaming tower. i don't know if it'd be worth replacing the entire motherboard to sell it.

on the other hand, the ku926 is around $170, the wp044 is around $200. I'm sure i could sell my laptop after i've replaced the part for at least a little more than that, making a little money to go toward my tower-building project.

i'm at a loss. i do like this laptop. i've had it for about 4 years now, and it's been great. but i really would love to build my own computer from the ground up; i've always wanted to. i don't know. any advice? haha. I know you all have given me a lot so far, but i think i'm almost through this.

 

I see one on eBay for $124.99 buy-it-now. I don't know that seller - I just found the item via a search.

Perhaps at $45 less the decision becomes easier?

 

No there are 2 motherboard part numbers, one with Intel IGP (you cannot install the Nvidia cards on this one, one one without the Intel IGP.

Do you have

A)



or

b)

 

@Terry Kennedy: I suppose it does. haha. i was looking on some tech wholesale site, so yeah it may be more expensive there. thanks

@Tsunade_Hime: have the one below

 

Okay so you have the motherboard with integrated graphics which is more expensive than the one without the GPU. You could go for the PM965 one and just buy the Nvidia GPU afterwards, all up to you.

 

i see. i think i'm going to go for the less expensive one. thank you all for your advice and such, hopefully i can handle it from here. haha. hopefully.

 

Though the PM965 board is cheaper, you will still have the buy the G86M/G84M GPU, which is ~40 for the 8400M GS and ~60 for the 8600M GT. Alot of parts available for the Inspiron 1520/Vostro 1500 on fleabay.

 

Portland, OR, eh? I'm going to be in Central Point, probably with some side trips to Medford and Ashland, in the April / May timeframe. I'll have the race car you see in my profile photo, as well as my "killer" Studio 1558's and parts and tools for car / notebook / extra electronic gear. I'd be happy to drop in and see if I can get your hardware sorted out. I just don't know if you want to wait that long for a date that we won't be able to confirm until 3-4 weeks before everything gets cast in stone.

And you can get a passenger ride in my race car (from my profile photo), which will get two of us from a standstill to 60MPH in about 2.7x seconds, on its way to a peak speed of 160+.

 

wow. that's like 5 hours away! but, actually, i'd decided to wait on my laptop situation anyways, and concentrate on building my desktop instead. my roommate's a total gear head, and loves hearing about, and seeing (especially in person), unique vehicles, especially if they have the capability to do that! If you'd be willing to stop by (or we can arrange to meet halfway, or something), I'm sure he, as well as I, would be thrilled to see your ride. And I would also love to see your killer system. i can give you my email, if you'd like, so we can communicate further.

 

so, in your opinion, which would you say is better? the integrated graphics controller, or the discrete graphics card? i realize the integrates graphics depends on your system, how much memory you have, your processor, etc, and i have the max amount of memory my system can take (4GB, if i'm not mistaken, which i might be. seems to happen a lot. haha.), while the discrete graphics card has dedicated memory for the video, 128MB or 256MB. which one is better?

 

I think that can be arranged. I normally drive cross-country every year. More on the car and trips here.

Specs and other stuff on my blog here.

I also build servers from scratch for fun. This is a 32TB server w/ 48GB of RAM, does 600MB/sec day in and day out. pic 1 pic 2

 

Depends on what you are doing. If you are gaming I would recommend the discreet video, but realize it will generate much more heat and will burn more battery life. If you just watch Youtube and do basic office tasks than IGP is more than enough and will generate less heat and be much better on battery life.

 

@Terry Kennedy: wow. that's pretty impressive. All of it. You can send me a message here and let me know the dates, if and when they're concrete, of your cross-country race car trip. Sounds great!

@Tsunade_Hime: i guess that would make sense. my computer generated guite a lot of heat playing diablo 2. can't imagine more heat. i was wanting a computer more geared toward gaming, but that's kinda why i'm building my desktop. on the other hand, a desktop is slightly less portable than my 1520, which is what i liked about it. haha.

 

I mean in all honesty, repasting my GPU, it doesn't run that hot but it will generate more heat than IGP, I can tell you that for sure. The drain on the battery life might be significant if you are on the go alot. And the 9 cell battery isn't that impressive, I maybe got 4 hours with the screen dimmed, but on full blast I only got like 2-2.5 hours with my T5470 and my 8400M GS.

 

i see. i'm more inclined to go with the discrete video card, and usually i have my laptop plugged in, if i'm planning on using it for more than an hour. my 1520 ran pretty hot, but only when gaming, but it wasn't that bad, i suppose. i've sorta decided, as i stated a few posts ago, that i'm putting this situation on hold, and putting all my concentration and effort into my desktop project, so i'll have plenty of time to ponder this dilemma.