Inspiron 15 (N5010) boot problems

I suggest running Dell's diagnostics on the system to see if there are any hardware issues.  If you get any error messages, post them back here.

How to run Dell's Diagnostics

Also, I was mistaken and this is on a N5010, not a 1510. Sorry for the confusion.

Also, Error 0142 Code 2000-0142, Hard drive Test unsuccessful status 70.

So far I have gotten Error 0147 Error Code 2000-0147, optical drive 0 OPU test failed.

Your system is having issues communicating with your hard drive and CD/DVD.
Remove and reinstall both the CD/DVD and hard drive.  Once you have done that, rerun the diagnostic programs.
If this fixes the issue, then it was just a bad connection.

If the error codes are still there, you will need to get the system serviced.

Download the manual for your system by Clicking Here.

Here's a video on how to remove the HDD.

My laptop doesn't have that screw that he takes out right before he takes the RAM out. I'm not sure if there just isn't something under mine gluing it down. I've searched all over the backside of it trying to find a screw in that area, but nothing.

Can't get the keyboard off. I followed the manual's instructions, but the keyboard seems stuck down somewhere around ASD key area. I took all of the screws out of the back of the laptop but it didn't help. The right side of the keyboard comes out just like it should, but the left side is stuck down. Any ideas?

Ok I got it working, but the hard drive still shows up as not working. The DVD drive does not have a screw in it for some reason, which might be why it doesn't pass the test either. I've seen that DVD error message before, yet I was able to instal Win7 from a disk so that's confusing.

Remove the AC and battery.

Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds.

Put the battery back in and connect to AC.

Try starting it again.

Keyboard was glued down, but I managed to get it up without breaking anything. I took out the HDD and put it back in, and reassembled everything, but the laptop won't do anything except the light around the switch blinks when I push it.

I tried holding the optical drive in, but that didn't help anything. Would a bad HDD explain everything working great for a little while than repeating?

I would think that one or more of the following is the problem:

1. The hard drive is bad
2. The optical drive is bad
3. The optical drive connection is loose (missing screw) which is causing the issue
4. The motherboard is going

To eliminate the optical drive being loose, hold in in and try starting up the system.  If it does and everything works, you will need to get a screw for it.

You should contact Dell and let them know what the error codes were.  They should replace the HDD for you.

The laptop is 5 months out of the 1 year warranty, so will they even talk to me?