Inspiron 17R N7110 stuck in Reboot loop

First of all a big thx to N7U for a speedy, detailed, professional reply. :emotion-2:

1. The 30 second discharge did not help.
2. Alternating the Ram modules also didn't bare fruit.
3. I cant boot from any device CD/USB as the F keys have no affect, as trying to enter the BIOS is not possible either.(The DELL screen appears with the F2/F12 options but only take me to a black page before it automatically reboots)

So I can conclude that the mb is fried?

Interesting problem Indeed. I happen to like the x010 and x110 Inspirons and own one. Since there are no indicators of what is causing the loop the first thing I would do is a "flee" or residual power discharge.

o Disconnect adapter and batter

o Press and hold Power button down to the count of 30 using the "One one thousand rhythm." A little over is okay a little under is not.

o Leaving battery uninstalled. Insert adapter and plug in. Power on.

o If that did the trick feel free to install the battery (with the power of of course)

     I would also try to rule out the Memory. Although it is typical to get a beep code from memory failure (what's that you say sunny? hehe) it can sometimes be just functional enough to pass initial quickboot but not functional enough to work properly...in otherwords it forgets it's broken until it is reminded...that's the simplest way I know how to put it. Take the following steps

o Power off, Unplug adapter, uninstall battery.

o with a small phillips (#1size "+" shaped Phillips for those keeping track of such details) loosen and disengage but do not fully removethe securement screw from the cover. remove the memory cover from base, exposing DDR3 modules.

o Touch something made of METAL THAT IS PLUGGED IN AND GROUNDED!! to discharge any residual static charge your body may be carrying.

Carefully push retaining tabs on each side of memory module slightly outward to release. Remove and Replace gently but firmly and lock into place.

Do this for each module separately and then with only one module at a time if you need to determine if it is one or the other module creating a problem.

You may also chose to download and boot to MemTest86 (64bit version) (don't ask me why they didn't just change the version name, I would have) IF YOU CAN GET THAT FAR. It's an extensive set of Tests that takes several hours. For my money...if I already know a module is bad I don't care what's wrong with it , it has to be replaced anyway. But there are certain times when (say a memory "leak) for example is as blaring a problem as boot looping) where that test comes in handy to rule out Memory as the culprit for things like Bad Data Pool Header bluescreen errors. Sorry to get carried away! Better to know more than ya need I suppose.

If this information was helpful and resolved your problem please remember to hit the YES button and if you need further assistance don't hesitate to contact.

Hi Zinco,

     If it were mine, I wouldn't be prepared to give up just yet. I forgot to mention that ALL peripherals should be removed. ie. RJ45 ethernet cable if it's plugged in to the jack, ALL usb 2 and 3 devices, and strangely enough sometimes even USB Unifying Recievers by Logitech or Nano's from any other MFG. Then try One power source and then the other. Battery only first, then charger only. SInce the Laptop is bootlooping there may be a problem with the power supply/charger and you're watching your laptop protect itself! Also look inside ALL external port especially USB's ...a broken and shorted USB port will loop even the heartiest of computers with a 5 volt direct short!

    Here's my line of thinking. There's is obviously enough Memory access to load the Dell Splash screen prior to restart. SO, without Beep Codes sounding my thoughts default to the oddball, rule-out troubleshooting methods of a Technician. That said I'll leave you with the support page link for your 7010 and you can download BOTH the user and service manuals. I haven't looked yet (because I'm replying to you) but generally the user's guide has troubleshooting codes, error symptoms, flashing light codes etc...and the service manual has the steps and exploded views (nice choice of words huh?) you will need to properly dismantle your 7010. The GREAT news here is the x010 and x110 are exquisitely simple to access. 11 screws to the bottom case then 5 screws under the keyboard. 4 screws for the HDD on the case bottom, 1 screw on the DVD drive, and 2 screws on the mainboard. THat's IT! pretty unless you need to get the charge board out. (which is also inexpensive online...$12-15 if it turns out to be the culprit) nice eh? 

    I would start with re-seating the processor even though this ususally produces a 7 beep code...once you have it dismantled everything else connected gets re-seated in re-assembly anyhow. again the lack of beep codes is dishevelling. 

    I had an i3 version of the N5010 that did wierd stuff for almost a year. The fan ran full bore 100% of uptime. Restart from the Windows start button took 3 minutes or so. Shutdown from the Windows start button would go through the cycle but the lights and fan would stay on FOREVER. Diag came back fine on RAM HDD Processor, GPU, EVERYTHING and not just with the Dell Diagnostics from Startup F12 DIAG. I used EVERY Mfg util to individually test each component with no errors. about 9 months later I ran into a post that had a 3 month lifespan and the Original Post Member resolved ALL those and a couple other problems by installing a new CR2032 CMOS coin cell battery!! $4 later my problems were solved too ...so I would definately try that...and if it doesn't work, it's $4 instead of the 85/hr and hour a Tech's gonna charge you whether that fixes it or doesn't! 

     You're in luck, in that I'm something of an expert on these models and even if we can't fix it together we'll be able to get to a point where a solid "OH IT WAS THIS!!!" becomes obvious. If you have a couple hours to spend with your computer and are confident you can follow the steps with meticulous detail you stand to save a small fortune (and the time and trouble or cost of Data Recovery of the data on your drive). Here's that link,

Get back to me if you have questions. At that bottom there's a message the service is unavailable. Just try it later the site's probably in daily maint. right now! Nathan

Thanks again N7U!

" ...a broken and shorted USB port with loop even the heartiest of computers with a 5 volt direct short!"

There is a broken, mauled USB port, I will see what I can do and report back.

Regards,

zinco :emotion-39:

BTW took out RAM, no error beeps without RAM :(

I fix Networks and PC's for a living, over 20yrs now.

I disassembled the laptop and reseated the CPU again.

(the fan turns on, the power light and wireless light turn on)

Is it possible the laptop wont turn on with a missing USB port onboard?

YES I have a couple thoughts. 

If the notebook isn't responsive you're not going to get beep codes removing memory. (At this moment I'm having a hard time remembering if these models beep without Memory....no I don't believe they do...they simply don't respond, and shut down with out so much as a wink) SO...I guess it's a good thing it didn't beep at you! right?

     THE VERY FIRST CULPRIT when re-assembling a Notebook is Tech Error! ALWAYS as in nearly without exception. I do it for a living and still run into this problem a couple times a year. Get a cup of coffee or whatever you like to drink and comfy place to sit. Read through the the service guide thinking about anything you might have overlooked in re-assembly. Try to be thorough in your rememberance as you go through each step. Either way you'll be opening the Notebook again so don't shortchange yourself in this step.

     ALSO I am not familiar with your abilities at the soldering station. I would look for slag between connector pitch pads. JUST TO BE SURE. If you have to...go to Radio Trash (Shack) and pick up a small roll of copper de-soldering wire. If your unfamiliar with how to use this ages old blessing-to-the-tech, visit YouTube it's loaded with good tutorials for stuff like that. 

     Last, sometimes the residual power discharge thing looms arbitrarily over your system. I might over-use it but only because its SUPER SIMPLE, doesn't take very long and I don't have to take anything apart to find out if that help. There are no consequences to performing a flea discharge prior to power-up after a major repair. 

GOOD LUCK SOME MORE! Get back to me if you continue to run into problems. Be aware, the only occurence between bootlooping and stone dead was dismantling the notebook. Take that second look and you'll probably find it...ABOVE OR BELOW the mainboard. you'll have to check EVERYWHERE>

UPDATE

Ok...I took the laptop apart and unsoldered the damaged USB port.

( will never bother unsoldering a USB port again)

Reseated the CPU.

I put everything back together, laptop turns on with fan at full blast, no error beeps

but now the screen is BLACK, no nothing..

Any thoughts?

Ok..someone please take the time of death.

Now Im looking for a replacement motherboard.

Is it enough to just look up "Dell Inspiron N7110"

And I looked at ebay and found boards in China,

does Dell or anyone else sell these?

Thanks.

My search ebay search would go "N7110 mainboard"

Occaisionally you can find a used domestic mainboard but the 5010 and 5110 were FAR more prevelant. China may be your best bet. The light at the end of that tunnel is they usually come from the same plant/s that used to Mfg them for dell and off-contract they just sell direct after the contract. Probably not a terrible thing if you can wait for a couple weeks for delivery,

Thanks N7U,

I also have to order both mb parts as the USB section is a separate piece.

I just noticed the DVD players light doesnt turn on and it doesn't function when powering on,

another reason to suspect MB.

I noticed while the screen was disconnected that it has a smooth, large button on the bottom

of the frame which I haven't seen before, that gets impressed when open notifying laptop that

it is open?

Yeah it's really shaping up to be Mainboard isn't it. and yes about "large button" it's a reed relay positioned to coincide with a rare earth magnet in the lid behind the bezel. assuming we're talking about the same part.