Problem with Dell Laptop

[Stu Pidasso]

I know this aint a tech forum but I figured WTF, there are some pretty bright people around here.

I have a Dell Insipiron 5150 running XP home.
It is out of warranty by 19 days. I cannot get ahold of Dell Support(waited 45 minutes then gave up).

When I hit the power button, I get a black screen that is completely blank except for a flashing cursor in the upper left corner. I can't even enter into the setup mode. Any suggestions?

Stu

[adamstewart]

My only suggestion is to call Dell again. I find their support very helpful.

It's weird that you waited 45 min's for them. I don't think I've ever had to wait more than 5 minutes, and I must have called in 5 times last week regarding my new laptop (and never used any sort of "express code").


Adam

[Chief911]

If you know how, try reseating the memory and hard drive. If you really wanna have fun get under the keyboard and reseat the processor.

Nick

[Eder]

I had same prob w my 8200...needed new screen...sent it to Dell they replaced my keyboard as well...of coz i had 3 year warrenty so was free repair

[Stu Pidasso]

[ QUOTE ]
If you know how, try reseating the memory and hard drive. If you really wanna have fun get under the keyboard and reseat the processor.

[/ QUOTE ]

I tried reseating the processor(and everything else) and was able to get it to boot and load windows once. Screen, keyboard, et al was working fine until the fan kicked up a notch. At that instant it froze up.

Upon rebooting I'm back to the same problem, power on and nothing but a blank screen with a flashing cursor in the upper left corner. I did notice that the fan seems to be running at the same notch as when it froze up. The fan and heat sink appear working properly, and none of the vents are obstucted.

I think the system is hanging when the componets are at a tempeture that cause the fan to run at the increase notch.

I'm debating weather to go out and replace the processor. Is tthe problem I am describing symptoms of a failing processor?

Suggestions?

Stu

[callydrias]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm debating weather to go out and replace the processor. Is tthe problem I am describing symptoms of a failing processor?

[/ QUOTE ]

Or memory or some other misc mobo component that you may never identify. You might want to try taking it down to a local computer shop and asking if they can determine if the problem is with any of the replaceable parts (which they will likely do by swapping out one at a time). That should be much cheaper than replacing the processor and finding out that it wasn't the problem. But you're a gambler, so maybe that's the road you prefer to take /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[BusterStacks]

It does sound like a processor issue. I would reseat it one more time except use some Arctic Silver between the cpu and the heatsink. Otherwise um... this is not good.

[Stu Pidasso]

[ QUOTE ]
It does sound like a processor issue. I would reseat it one more time except use some Arctic Silver between the cpu and the heatsink. Otherwise um... this is not good.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well I tried calling Dell Support again, this time I gave up after beiong on hold 20 minutes. Waited for a online chat rep about the same amount of time but one never came. Sent them an email, now I'm waiting for a reply.

I'm going to comp usa now to buy a 2.5" -> 3.5" adaptor so I can install the laptop hard drive in my desktop (to recover my poker spread sheets/ hand histories, etc). If they have thermal compound I will try reseating the processor again.

According to Dell's support forum, these 5150 are lemons. I'd steer away from them. Also its not made by Dell, but by a company called Compal.

Stu

[BusterStacks]

I just ordered a badass Inspiron 9300. /images/graemlins/cool.gif

[astroglide]

I9300,PM 750(1.86GHZ)
17 INCH TRUE LIFE,WUXGA,GWVA,I9300
1GB,DDR2,533MHZ,2 DIMM,I9300
256MB NVIDIA 6800,I9300
60GB HARD DRIVE,7.2K,I9300
WINDOWS XP PRO,SP2,ENG,INSP
8X DVD+/-RW DRIVE,I9300
INTEL PRO/WRLS 2915,A/B/G,CEL,I9200
80 WHR,9-CELL,LION,PRIM BATT,I9200
XLARGE CARRY CASE,NYLON,I9200
2YR LIMITED WARRANTY
QUICKSNAP CVR,CLTHR,I9200
INT 350 BLUETOOTH WRLESS,I9300

$1889 /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[BusterStacks]

[ QUOTE ]
I9300,PM 750(1.86GHZ)
17 INCH TRUE LIFE,WUXGA,GWVA,I9300
1GB,DDR2,533MHZ,2 DIMM,I9300
256MB NVIDIA 6800,I9300
60GB HARD DRIVE,7.2K,I9300
WINDOWS XP PRO,SP2,ENG,INSP
8X DVD+/-RW DRIVE,I9300
INTEL PRO/WRLS 2915,A/B/G,CEL,I9200
80 WHR,9-CELL,LION,PRIM BATT,I9200
XLARGE CARRY CASE,NYLON,I9200
2YR LIMITED WARRANTY
QUICKSNAP CVR,CLTHR,I9200
INT 350 BLUETOOTH WRLESS,I9300

$1889 /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

same as mine except I did not get the warranty or the DVD burner. Also got the carbon fiber quicksnap. Otherwise identical.