XPS M1210 won't turn on

Question

When I turn on my computer the backlight under the power button as well as the power indicator light in the lower right corner of my screen turn on. However, the computer does not boot up, it doesnt even shows the bios. The screen just stays black. Also, the backlights behind the volume controls in the front of the laptop do not light up. My batteries and power chord are working fine.

I tried taking out and putting back in both memory modules (the one in the back and the one under the keyboard. I even tried switching them and leaving only one in at a time. All these scenarios yielded the same result as before except for when no memory was in, then i saw a bunch of flashing lights in the lower right corner.

I thought the problem was my memory because i had gotten a few blue screens of death in the past which said i had a memory parity issue. I thought this problem might be related.

The first time it died my screensaver had kicked in, then I moved my mouse to get of it, the computer froze, and i manually turned it off. From then on it hasn't been able to turn on.

I called Dell, but my warranty has expired. I am hesitant to pay them the $59 for tech support just for them to tell me i need to replace something. Does anyone here have any ideas? My guess is I might need to replace the motherboard or the memory. Do you think it is worth giving Dell the $59 to diagnose it? Keep in mind that i am in a foreign country for another month, so it won't really be possible to send it to them should that be required.

Thanks for the help everyone.

Message Edited by jdrori on 05-27-2008 07:24 AM

ejn63 · Answer

Verify that the LED on the power adapter is on before you plug in the notebook end.  If it is not, replace the adapter.  If it is on, the mainboard is most likely faulty.

jdrori · Answer

The light on my power adapter is normal. I have 2 working batteries and they all have the same problem.

Are you sure that it is the motherboard? Is it at all possible that I might simply just have to replace the memory modules?

Thanks for your help

ejn63 · Answer

Remove the memory.  Power on - if you get a set of beeps, it's possible.   If nothing happens (no powerup at all), the mainboard is faulty.

jdrori · Answer

I tried that, no beeps. I do get some different flashes though. I also tried starting it while holding the Fn key. I get the caps lock and num lock lights flashing, with the scroll lock completely lit.

I guess it is probably the mainboard. Any ballpark idea what that would cost to replace?

jdrori · Answer

Right now I am out of the country, so i can't send it to Dell to have them replace it. I have found a few places here that seem to say they can repair it, and probably won't have to replace it. Do you think that is something which is doable and I should trust them?

One of them said if it was necessary they could replace it by ordering it from an american supplier. Is it possible that someone outside of Dell could get there hands on a M1210 motherboard?

Thanks so much for your help ejn63, you've been extremely kind.

ejn63 · Answer

The board will run about $400, plus labor to install.

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XPS M1210 won't turn on

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