Power adapter not connecting

Hi,

It could be, but may be the MBD has been damaged, and the socket broken away. Try another adapter. How does the plug look ? Does it look to have melted near any pin sockets ?

                                                                             Regards Chris

I'm having the same problem with my Inspiron 5150.  When I plug the adapter to the back of my computer it doesn't charge the battery, however the green light is on.  My roommate has an Inspiron 5160 and I've tried using her adapter to my laptop and it worked for 5 minutes and then it didn't charge and won't charge my battery anymore when using the power supply. 

I've tried talking to the (offshore) tech support, but all they told me was that I needed a new adapter and I have explained it as much as possible that that wasn't the problem so then his manager came on the phone and transferred me to a department that was closed!  I then took it to circuit city and they mentioned I may need a new m'board, but this laptop is only 18 months old, so I'm a little frustrated that I'm going to have to pay $300-$400 to replace the m'board.

I'm not very happy at all with the tech support or customer service with Dell and this is my 2nd computer I've purchased with them!  Why is it that my desktop that I've had since 2000 has been working perfectly fine with no problems and this laptop after 18 months now needs a new motherboard that is going to cost a few hundred! 

Can anyone help me out as far as installing a new motherboard?  Is it hard to do?  Where can I purchase a motherboard? 

Racuya,

The MBD isnt hard to change. You can find a service manual from the notebook tab above. The MBD will be a sought after part, you can try Ebay, or Google the part number. You may be able to have it repaired at a specialist repairer. ( often the adapter socket is faulty )

                                                                           Regards Chris

I HAVE A SIMULAR  PROBLEM WITH THE 4150 INSPIRON.

 PLUG THE CHARGER IN AND IT DOES NOT TURN OR CHARGE THE BATTERY BUT A GOOD BATTERY WILL TURN ON THE LAPTOP.  CHECKED THE POWER SUPPLY FREE RUNNING AND MY METTER SAID THE RIGHT VOLTAGE. I TRIED  A RADIO SHACK ONE  THAT WAS GOOD AND IT STILL FAILED. ALSO I TOOK IT APART AND IT WORKED THEN I TIGHTENED DOWN A COUPLE OF MORE SCREWS AND TURNED IT BACK OVER AND IT FASILED AGAIN. THEN I TOOK IT APART AGAIN AND THEN PUT THE CARGER IN. THE LIGHT CAME ON THAT THE CHARGER WAS IN AND THE LIGHT WENT YELLOW THEN OFF. I HAD NOT PUT THE BATTERY IN YET.

I CHECKED THE CONNECTOR THAT GOES TO THE MOTHER BOARD AND THE SOLDER JOINTS LOOKED GOOD.

WHAT HAS ANY FOUND THAT WOULD FIX THIS?

EXACT same problem (on my 5150).

I too have purchased a new adapter.  I have two Dell Laptops, which both adapters work for each, so I KNOW it's not the adapters.  Seems like a pretty common problem. 

Have you had it checked out buy a computer place they told me it was the mother board. How old is yours? Mine was purchased 3yrs 2 months ago no warranty left on it.

There is a place that you can buy a stand alone battery charger that on mine it will charge two batteries at once in 9 hours. You might be able to get the same for yours. Because Dell told me the mother board is over $800.00 Ouch!

If your computer runs off the battery then that might be the answer until you can get a deal on ebay to replace it. The charger goes for about $165.00 plus Shipping. I can get batteries for about $47.00 plus shipping.

But Dell sells mine for around $130.00 to $150.00 depending on the deal.

If you come up with any other Ideas then please let me know.

Thanks,

Pink Panther II

I work for and ISP (Road Runner) so I'm pretty familiar with computers - I know for sure it's not the brick (charger).  Seems like it's just a common malfunction - at the owner's expense.  Purchasing a new battery is unlikely to solve this problem.

I am in the process of doing some trouble shooting to see what fixes this, with the least amount of $$$ and time.  As I find stuff out, I will do my best to post it here.  For those of you who are still under warrenty, I would contact Dell. 

I think for the commoner it is unreasonable to replace a mother board for $800 or even $500, nowadays, you can get a decent laptop for just a couple of hundred dollars more (maybe that is Dell's having a 'sticky' product).

Have you had it checked out but a computer place they told me it was the mother board. How old is yours? Mine was purchased 3yrs 2 months ago no warranty left on it.

There is a place that you can buy a stand alone battery charger that on mine it will charge two batteries at once in 9 hours. You might be able to get the same for yours. Because Dell told me the mother board is over $800.00 Ouch!

If your computer runs off the battery then that might be the answer until you can get a deal on ebay to replace it. The charger goes for about $165.00 plus Shipping. I can get batteries for about $47.00 plus shipping.

But Dell sells mine for around $130.00 to $150.00 depending on the deal.

If you come up with any other Ideas then please let me know.

Thanks,

Pink Panther II

My Problem is I program Wireless systems for business customers as well as phone systems and both are dependant on my laptop.

I tried using their computer but that is just a big head ache! My business is real slow right now and can't afford a new laptop and the one I have works great otherwise for what I do.

It is set up for easy program features for both products I install.

need a quick inexpensive fix!

Pink Panther II

Hi,

The 5150 power connections were not great, I dont think they stand up to the power. I would think about replacing the connections with something else, and running a cable out the hole with a power connection to it. If you Google, you may find someone who will repair it, not cheap but less than a MBD. The 4150 will need a MBD, if the socket isnt damaged. Same MBD as a Latitude C640.

                                                                         Regards Chris

Pink Panther,

Have a look here http://www.parts-people.com/index.php?action=item&id=1168&prevaction=category&previd=3&prevstart=30 This is the correct part number. It may be worth a look at Ebay. Check the number on yours.

Does it work OK with a good battery. If so it probrobly is a bad solder joint on the mother board. If you are good at soldering then touch up your mother board connections that connect the supply to the mother baord. You would be surprized what that can do. you might even have a cold solder joint.

worse case is that your mother board is cracked. have you dropped the unit at all.