Insp 6000 - no longer boots

Question

Before anyone decides to tell me this, yes, I know this is self inflicted pain.

I have an Inspiron 6000 that has been on it's last legs. DC connector problems, and a battery that doesn't hold much of a charge even when I can get the DC connection working properly. I've just been kind of nursing it along while I save some money for a new laptop.

However, someone suggested that I may be able to fix the DC adapter. Not knowing just how difficult that might be, I opened the case (following the instructions in the Dell support site) to get down to the DC port to see if fixing the DC port might be within my abilitites.

I guess not.

Other that taking out and then putting back the screws, I didn't do anything else to the laptop, certainly nothing that I hadn't done before with other computers. I followed the instructions to the letter here - http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins6000/en/sm/index.htm, even going down the paths that I didn't think I needed to do (such as removing the processor). I stayed grounded the whole time. The only thing I didn't do was replace the thermal paste (not having any handy).

Now when I boot, the screen never flashes, I don't hear the CD turn, the hard drive does move a little, the little suitcase (or lock?) with an A in in flashes a for a bit, and then it shuts down.

Here are my questions.

1 - am I hosed (might as well get the bad news out first)?

2. If not, are there any suggestions as to how I might fix this without cracking the case again? (I have tried removing the coin battery already)

3. If I have to crack the case, for what should I be looking?

I really didn't try doing anything that seemed all that difficult (just tedious) and am at a loss at to what I could have done to mess this up. I'm hoping that someone will tell me that this is something normal and that I'm just missing an easy fix.

Thanks!

trdconsult · Answer

As a quick follow-up question - how do I find out which motherboard I have?  There seem to be six different model numbers floating around for Inspiron 6000, and none of them match what I find on my parts list.  I can't decipher the cryptic descriptions of each part, so I don't even know how to find a replacement for the motherboard if it comes to that.

TMcCaine · Answer

I just gave your unit a quick look, but your DC power supply is external. The internal component that often goes out on the motherboard is the power jack. These can be soldered in with relative ease but requires a good deal of practical experience.

I have repaired many laptops even ones that don't seem to be such a good idea, and your endeavor isn't a bad idea but is at least a good learning experience. If you cracked open the case and it was working and then you put it back together and it doesn't, one of two things has happened. One, it isn't put together correctly. Or two, you fried something. And yes you can cause board problems in more ways than one especially when laptop components are so delicate.

Yes, take it apart and attempt to put it together again, as far as you know you missed a very simple step. Often hitting the Function key + Power button will give you a diagnostic code, but if you are getting nothing right now then it most likely has another issue with it.

I would suspect that you have no power at all. Take the unit apart and look at the DC jack, see if it is loose or physically jarred in any way. If you have a Volt/Ohm meter you can plug in the power cord while the mother board is on a non conductive surface and you can test the soldered points on the board, trace them and test them deeper inside the unit. That and you can also test the DC power adapter to make sure it is putting out enough power. Assuming the battery is bad it is all you have right now.

You have a good quality unit, I would strive to figure out what exactly is wrong and test whatever you can for the time being.

trdconsult · Answer

Thanks for your reply. I've finished trying both of those options, unfortunately neither worked. I have taken the laptop apart and back together again and I wasn't able to see any signs of damage. I also tried the fn-power button option, but it didn't provide any noticable difference.

What about finding out which kind of motherboard is in it. I have looked all over the motherboard in the unit right now and there isn't anything that looks like it is the model number for that particular board (though there are notes all over the darn thing).

TMcCaine · Answer

Typically the notes you see are assembly notes and tech notes that aren't relavent to the unit once its completed. Most often the motherboard part number is imprented in a series of nonsensacle numbers and letters in a larger font, along the edge or next to a point that has Dell information listed on it.

Also, we can research the part number if you give us the processor speed and available options for the unit, this can be a much simpler process.

TMcCaine · Answer

But before you go shopping for a new MB, have you tested the AC power adapter?

trdconsult · Answer

Actually no.  This has been a recurring problem with the laptop.  This is the 4th or 5th AC adapter I have had, but none of the others fixed the problem.  Then they replaced the motherboard and that solved the problem, for almost a year.  But now it is back.  A visual inspection of the AC adapter yields nothing, and the short sometimes fixes itself by jiggling just the plug (not the wire).  So no, I'm not sure that it is the AC adapter, but I am much more confident based upon previous experience and current symptoms that it is the DC port.

TMcCaine · Answer

I like eBay for parts;

Battery

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-6-6A-Battery-for-Dell-Inspiron-6000-9300-9400-e1705_W0QQitemZ330269331294QQihZ014QQcategoryZ14297QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

DC Power Jack (a common problem on laptops)

http://cgi.ebay.com/FREE-S-H-DC-Jack-Dell-Inspiron-8600-6000-5160-9100-o_W0QQitemZ360087000315QQihZ023QQcategoryZ158847QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Motherboard

http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-Inspiron-6000-MotherBoard-W9259-TESTED_W0QQitemZ270272560601QQihZ017QQcategoryZ60265QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

As it is I would start with the DC Power Jack as it is the least expensive and only need a reasonable amount of experience to install properly. If you don't have the tools you can ask around to see what it would take for someone else to install it. If this doesn't solve your problem test the AC Power adapter, if it is bad buy a high quality surge protector (around $60 or so) and get a new Power Adapter and make sure you always plug it in there. If none of these solutions work then you most likely need a new MB.

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Insp 6000 - no longer boots

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