Dell Precision M3800 Won't Turn On

Question

I ordered a Dell Precision M3800 and as soon as I got it out of the box, it'd immediately had problems turning on. The button would light up, the keyboard lights would turn on for a few seconds, then everything would shut down. It worked every once in a while if I removed the power cable or if I tried different combinations of removing/inserting power cable and pressing the button. I took it into the shop and they replaced the motherboard and now it will not turn on at all. The service desk said it turned on for them, but it turned on once for me after pressing the button 20+ times, but never turned back on after that.

I have requested a replacement computer, but in the mean time, does anyone have any idea what the problem might be or how I can turn it on to retrieve my files.

ked89 · Accepted Answer

I've had my M380 for about 8 months and just this week started having same problem. I have found that removing my Logitech usb wireless mouse/keyboard dongle has allowed it to startup. Its happened the last 2 days and both times I couldn't do anything to get it started. Both times I removed the USB dongle it started on the next try. This is frustrating.

NGuser · Accepted Answer

Two comments.

1. DELL contacted me today out of the blue offering a replacement motherboard through the in home service, (dell_quality_ww@dell.com). I will take them on the offer. I actually never reported the issue which is affecting me but I have been dealing with it. It appears to me they have a good fix now and are proactively contacting all the owners of these M3800 precision laptops to have them fixed. (good news).

Emailing them to that address if you are still experiencing problems.

2. The way I fix the issue every time it happens is as follows: Disconnect power cable, hold power button down for about 10 to 15 seconds, release and then push again once. It powers every time so far. I read at some point in a forum that the issue could be related to static energy and this method would release it. So far it works, but I will have the motherboard replaced as a real/permanent solution.

DELL-Todd S · Answer

Hi,

Sorry to hear about the problems you're having with that new system. I would recommend that you go to the FAQ section of these laptop boards. Specifically, try out this link "Computer Does not turn on or go into Windows". There are a few links to troubleshooting systems, including links for working on systems that won't power or boot up.

Try those steps provided in the articles. You may be able to get your system up and running, and then be able to back up your data.

Let us know if you are able to determine what is causing your system not to power up.

Todd

hleec · Answer

We have 5-6 m3800's at the office I work at all with the same issue you are describing. Even after we send them to the depot to get repaired they come back work for 1-2 days and then once again they will not power on.

If anyone has I fix I would love to hear it.

m3800.Dell · Answer

Disconnect all cables

Remove cover

Disconnect battery (no need to remove it)

Disconnect Cell Battery (no need to remove WLAN-Card or the battery itself, just disconnect the cable)

Reconnect Cell

Reconnect battery

Close the cover

Connect to AC

Press FN and Power button the run Diagnostic

http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/product/precision-m3800-workstation/manuals

[Torx 5 screwdriver needed]

joegasper · Answer

Thanks. Tried this full power removal, but still didn't help my month old system. This is bogus.

Andrash · Answer

My month-old Precision M2800 is doing the same thing. This is perplexing.

Michel Luczak · Answer

Same problem here, few months old M3800, very little used. Did anyone find a reliable solution? Firmware upgrade or something?

cynweldon · Answer

One of our few M3800 laptops exhibited the same symptoms you are describing.  After *three* onsite repair visits from a Dell technician (who replaced the motherboard, heat sync, and power button), we had to ship the laptop to Dell repair depot.  A week later the laptop came back 'repaired' with ANOTHER new motherboard.  Jury still out on if the laptop is truly fixed but so far at the one week point it is working ok.

vinoveritas625 · Answer

Mine has a similar problem, but it happens if I have ANYTHING plugged into the USB ports. If I remove the USB item, it will power right up. I have to wait a few seconds before plugging the USB device(s) back in or it will shut right back down.

It did not do this initially, but now it happens about 95% of the time.

Sean

VSpeed · Answer

I had exactly the same problem. I had the laptop for about 10 months. It started to exhibit this issue about amonth ago. I could at least power it up by removing all the USBs and disconnect it's a. Adapter. Now this morning. It would not power up at all.

What do I do? Send it to Dell service for repair?

rcapano · Answer

I have been having this same problem on and off my M4700 over the last year or so.

By trial and error this ended up working for me.

1. take out the battery

2. press and hold the power button at the same time push in the power cord.

Mine then went into dell self diagnostics automatically, I let it run but I thing you can stop it as it take along time. (all tests passed on mine)

Doing this turned on the computer and booted up not problem.

3. put the battery back in

Shut the system down, keep everything plugged in now power up and it should work.

I swap hard drives on mine every once in while. I think this sequence of events with battery in and out some how triggers something on the motherboard to not power up after wards. But some how it always corrects its self on mine. If this continues I may ask for a new motherboard. I highly recommend to extend your warranty when it's time.

Note, for me when this problem arises, it always powered up but on battery along. Only after it goes into boot up do I push the power cord in. For now all it working fine but I have had this problem on and off at least 5 times.

jmkolor · Answer

Same problem here :

I have to unplug both power and USB to be able to power on may laptop.

I tried to change all settings that are somehow related in the BIOS, without success.

This is very surprising there is no answer from support on that !

JuM

ked89 · Answer

Update for my M3800...I had continued with this problem until finally it just totally stopped working and nothing I could do to get any response from the laptop at all.  Dell came and replaced the mother board and everything was good for a couple days until something went terribly wrong again and motherboard failed.  At this point (had also had a display issue), Dell replaced the laptop.  New one is working fine so far but I'm not convinced anything has been fixed...time will tell.

t-w · Answer

Sorry I have nothing to add other than a "me too" post.

I purchased a new M3800 in February 2015 and have had different variations of the problem for the last few months. Now it's pretty consistent; it won't turn on with power or a USB device attached. It also will not charge when turned off. Spent some time on the phone with Dell to run diagnostics and update the BIOS with no effect--all diagnostics were green and the new A10 BIOS did not solve the issue.

Dell is sending someone next week (today is a Saturday) to replace the motherboard. I will update this thread once that happens.

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Dell Precision M3800 Won't Turn On

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