If you send it in you better video tape it and take pictures to prove that there are no dents and that the bottom cover isn't damaged. You will need it when they call you and tell you that it is. Dell's quality and integrity has gone to the dogs.
This could be a system board issue but really it could be any number of devices installed on the system that could cause similar symptoms.
I would try to isolate the system board as much as possible and troubleshoot the board. If the system board looks to be alright then work my way up with the other devices and see if any of them are failing or possibly shorting out the system.
So the first thing I would look into is the AC adapter itself. Unplug the AC adapter from the power outlet and the PC. Disconnect the power cable from the adapter. Return the power cable to the adapter and then plug it into a known good power outlet. The adapter led should show power. Then watch the adapter power LED while plugging into the notebook. Does the power LED on the adapter stay lit, or does it blink or go out? If the adapter LED goes out while being plugged into the notebook then that is an indication that the notebook is shorting out the adapter.. not good, the system board / charger board will need to be replaced.
If the adapter led stays lit, and the notebook shows power then you can discount the adapter as part of the problem.
If the power light stays on the notebook, plug an external monitor to the system and see if it displays an image. If so the LCD of the system has gone out and will need to be replaced.
If the notebook is not showing power or power is going off then I suggest removing all external devices, including any cards. Remove all drives Optical or Hard drives, system memory, wireless cards and modems, you could even go as far as removing the keyboard. Return the AC adapter to the system and power the system on. Is there a change, does the “On” button stay lit longer? Are there different beep codes? Are you getting an image on the LCD? If there is a change then this may imply that the system board is fine.
Power down the system and remove the AC adapter. Return one memory stick and power back on. Is there a difference now, are you getting an image on the LCD? Test all memory this way, on the first dimm slot, then test all memory on the second dimm slot, the idea here is to test all memory and all memory slots, If the problem returns whenever a specific stick of memory is installed then it is likely that memory is defective. Or if memory works fine on one slot but the problem returns when it is inserted on a specific memory slot then the memory slot may be defective and the system board will need to be replaced.
If you were able to stabilize the system by reseating the memory, and are able to get an image on the LCD then that is a very good indication that the system board is fine, and some other device or devices is shorting the system out. At this point install the hard drive and see if you are able to boot the system. If so the hard drive is likely fine and at this point the system board is very much likely fine.
Return the other drives one by one and see if the problem returns.
Return the modems, wireless cards one by one and see if the problem returns.
Once all the devices have been returned and if the system is booting then it may be alright, one of the devices may not have been connected well and was shorting out the system. If the problem kept returning whenever you connected a device then that device will need to be replaced.
If nothing you do makes a difference then and only then would I consider replacing the system board.
Terry B - I've been through this twice on my 3 year old 1555 and Dell replaced the main board and power supply under warranty. The last time was a month or 2 ago and now it is starting to randomly shut down AGAIN. Is there some systemic problem with these units that makes the problem keep coming back. Any ideas on how to get a permanent cure?
Thanks for updating us Webre123, please let us know how the notebook performs after the repair.
SKJJR
I am not familiar with the Inspiron 1555 needing system board replacements more than any other specific model. The thing about notebooks is that in so many models, the system board is the notebook, nearly all the devices are integrated in the main board. So if anything fails, even though it may be different symptoms the fix is the same, replace the board.
If the system is having shut down problems again, then my suggestion will be to run diagnostics. Start the system while holding down the FN key or tapping the F12 key and selecting diagnostics. Allow the basic tests to complete and then select hardware tests, custom tests, and run the hard drive diags. If you have the option, run the memory tests as well. This will take an hour or more to run which is what I suggest, you want the notebook to be given a good workout and allow it to heat up, if it is a overheating problem. Please report back with any errors and if the system shut down while running diagnostics.
Got Studio 1555 back yesterday - appears to be working normally:) I had a pretty good experience w/Dell Support On-line, only a couple of compaints w/the Depot.
The keyboard bezel and plastic cover near the touchpad were scatched up - from debris or tools on the workbench I suppose. Also, I pulled the HDD before shipping to the depot, but re-mounted the HDD bracket in the bay. Dell sent the bracket back in a ziplock, but not the screws to mount it, so I'll get them to mail those - not common screws. For now the HDD is seated, but not secured.
Since my 10-20 post I have spen many hours on the phone with tech supprt AND had an on-site tech replace the MB and PWR board AND sent my 1555 in for Depot repair for yer another MB, KB, Palm Rest & Button Chassis. AND IT HAS NOW STARTED FAILING AGAIN. The problem is intermittent and wheh it fails there is nothing to do diagnostics on and when it runs its OK. Dell obviously can't fix it but is refusing to replace it with a refurbished unit. Who in Dell should I contact to get some help?
I am sorry to hear that you are still having the problem. With all the hardware replaced, it is unlikely that it is all bad. Since the shutdown is intermittent it is very likely software causing the shutdowns. If you are convinced it is hardware I can't stress enough to run them, I suggest doing the memory and hard drive tests. These tests will take some time, which is what is needed here; we want the system stressed while running diagnostics. Report back here with any errors.
Other than that, I can only suggest troubleshooting software on the system, Run the system overnight in safemode and see if it shuts down there. Go into msconfig, start, search msconfig and click ok. Click on the services tab and check "hide all Microsoft services" and click disable all. Click on the startup tab and click disable all. Click ok and allow the system to restart and run the system for a while and see if it shuts down. If you have not already tried with tech support, you may even wish to consider running PC restore or even perform a manual reinstall of Windows. If you decide to go this route, I strongly suggest that you limit the amount of software installed on the system to a minimum and see how the system performs, if it looks stable then apply your applications one at a time and test the system with the new software. If all of a sudden the system starts shutting down right after installing a new program, it is likely the program is causing the problems.
If you would like for me to research the issue, shoot me a private message with your contact info, address, phone, email, and the service tag of the notebook, and the case and dispatch numbers that you have received from Tech Support and I will be happy to do so.
So far this1555 is working fine, and the tech arrived yesterday to replace the palm rest and keyboard bezel which were scratched at depot. Depot also left out the hard drive mounting screws - tech had those. So at the moment, we're good.
Just to clarify - this unit never shut down on its own, once it was on, it stayed on. It just wouldn't power on.
M Estell
11 Posts
0
October 5th, 2011 18:00
If you send it in you better video tape it and take pictures to prove that there are no dents and that the bottom cover isn't damaged. You will need it when they call you and tell you that it is. Dell's quality and integrity has gone to the dogs.
webre123
17 Posts
0
October 5th, 2011 18:00
I am sorry to hear that and fear it's true.
DELL-Terry B
4 Operator
•
3.5K Posts
0
October 7th, 2011 14:00
This could be a system board issue but really it could be any number of devices installed on the system that could cause similar symptoms.
I would try to isolate the system board as much as possible and troubleshoot the board. If the system board looks to be alright then work my way up with the other devices and see if any of them are failing or possibly shorting out the system.
So the first thing I would look into is the AC adapter itself. Unplug the AC adapter from the power outlet and the PC. Disconnect the power cable from the adapter. Return the power cable to the adapter and then plug it into a known good power outlet. The adapter led should show power. Then watch the adapter power LED while plugging into the notebook. Does the power LED on the adapter stay lit, or does it blink or go out? If the adapter LED goes out while being plugged into the notebook then that is an indication that the notebook is shorting out the adapter.. not good, the system board / charger board will need to be replaced.
If the adapter led stays lit, and the notebook shows power then you can discount the adapter as part of the problem.
If the power light stays on the notebook, plug an external monitor to the system and see if it displays an image. If so the LCD of the system has gone out and will need to be replaced.
If the notebook is not showing power or power is going off then I suggest removing all external devices, including any cards. Remove all drives Optical or Hard drives, system memory, wireless cards and modems, you could even go as far as removing the keyboard. Return the AC adapter to the system and power the system on. Is there a change, does the “On” button stay lit longer? Are there different beep codes? Are you getting an image on the LCD? If there is a change then this may imply that the system board is fine.
Power down the system and remove the AC adapter. Return one memory stick and power back on. Is there a difference now, are you getting an image on the LCD? Test all memory this way, on the first dimm slot, then test all memory on the second dimm slot, the idea here is to test all memory and all memory slots, If the problem returns whenever a specific stick of memory is installed then it is likely that memory is defective. Or if memory works fine on one slot but the problem returns when it is inserted on a specific memory slot then the memory slot may be defective and the system board will need to be replaced.
If you were able to stabilize the system by reseating the memory, and are able to get an image on the LCD then that is a very good indication that the system board is fine, and some other device or devices is shorting the system out. At this point install the hard drive and see if you are able to boot the system. If so the hard drive is likely fine and at this point the system board is very much likely fine.
Return the other drives one by one and see if the problem returns.
Return the modems, wireless cards one by one and see if the problem returns.
Once all the devices have been returned and if the system is booting then it may be alright, one of the devices may not have been connected well and was shorting out the system. If the problem kept returning whenever you connected a device then that device will need to be replaced.
If nothing you do makes a difference then and only then would I consider replacing the system board.
TB
SKJJR
3 Posts
0
October 20th, 2011 17:00
Terry B - I've been through this twice on my 3 year old 1555 and Dell replaced the main board and power supply under warranty. The last time was a month or 2 ago and now it is starting to randomly shut down AGAIN. Is there some systemic problem with these units that makes the problem keep coming back. Any ideas on how to get a permanent cure?
nckhammond
56 Posts
0
October 20th, 2011 21:00
ive seen fewer issues with the integrated intel video 1555's and more issues from the ati ones. which do you have?
webre123
17 Posts
0
October 21st, 2011 03:00
Intel as far as I know. I sent it to Dell's repair depot two days ago. We'll see.
webre123
17 Posts
0
October 22nd, 2011 07:00
Dell replaced the Mother Board.
DELL-Terry B
4 Operator
•
3.5K Posts
0
October 24th, 2011 10:00
Thanks for updating us Webre123, please let us know how the notebook performs after the repair.
SKJJR
I am not familiar with the Inspiron 1555 needing system board replacements more than any other specific model. The thing about notebooks is that in so many models, the system board is the notebook, nearly all the devices are integrated in the main board. So if anything fails, even though it may be different symptoms the fix is the same, replace the board.
If the system is having shut down problems again, then my suggestion will be to run diagnostics. Start the system while holding down the FN key or tapping the F12 key and selecting diagnostics. Allow the basic tests to complete and then select hardware tests, custom tests, and run the hard drive diags. If you have the option, run the memory tests as well. This will take an hour or more to run which is what I suggest, you want the notebook to be given a good workout and allow it to heat up, if it is a overheating problem. Please report back with any errors and if the system shut down while running diagnostics.
TB
webre123
17 Posts
0
October 27th, 2011 06:00
Got Studio 1555 back yesterday - appears to be working normally:) I had a pretty good experience w/Dell Support On-line, only a couple of compaints w/the Depot.
The keyboard bezel and plastic cover near the touchpad were scatched up - from debris or tools on the workbench I suppose. Also, I pulled the HDD before shipping to the depot, but re-mounted the HDD bracket in the bay. Dell sent the bracket back in a ziplock, but not the screws to mount it, so I'll get them to mail those - not common screws. For now the HDD is seated, but not secured.
DELL-Terry B
4 Operator
•
3.5K Posts
0
October 27th, 2011 17:00
Thanks for the update webre123. Please let me know if you have any problems getting the mounting screws.
TB
SKJJR
3 Posts
0
November 3rd, 2011 10:00
Since my 10-20 post I have spen many hours on the phone with tech supprt AND had an on-site tech replace the MB and PWR board AND sent my 1555 in for Depot repair for yer another MB, KB, Palm Rest & Button Chassis. AND IT HAS NOW STARTED FAILING AGAIN. The problem is intermittent and wheh it fails there is nothing to do diagnostics on and when it runs its OK. Dell obviously can't fix it but is refusing to replace it with a refurbished unit. Who in Dell should I contact to get some help?
DELL-Terry B
4 Operator
•
3.5K Posts
0
November 3rd, 2011 15:00
I am sorry to hear that you are still having the problem. With all the hardware replaced, it is unlikely that it is all bad. Since the shutdown is intermittent it is very likely software causing the shutdowns. If you are convinced it is hardware I can't stress enough to run them, I suggest doing the memory and hard drive tests. These tests will take some time, which is what is needed here; we want the system stressed while running diagnostics. Report back here with any errors.
Other than that, I can only suggest troubleshooting software on the system, Run the system overnight in safemode and see if it shuts down there. Go into msconfig, start, search msconfig and click ok. Click on the services tab and check "hide all Microsoft services" and click disable all. Click on the startup tab and click disable all. Click ok and allow the system to restart and run the system for a while and see if it shuts down. If you have not already tried with tech support, you may even wish to consider running PC restore or even perform a manual reinstall of Windows. If you decide to go this route, I strongly suggest that you limit the amount of software installed on the system to a minimum and see how the system performs, if it looks stable then apply your applications one at a time and test the system with the new software. If all of a sudden the system starts shutting down right after installing a new program, it is likely the program is causing the problems.
If you would like for me to research the issue, shoot me a private message with your contact info, address, phone, email, and the service tag of the notebook, and the case and dispatch numbers that you have received from Tech Support and I will be happy to do so.
webre123
17 Posts
0
November 5th, 2011 04:00
SKJJR,
Sorry for your troubles.
So far this1555 is working fine, and the tech arrived yesterday to replace the palm rest and keyboard bezel which were scratched at depot. Depot also left out the hard drive mounting screws - tech had those. So at the moment, we're good.
Just to clarify - this unit never shut down on its own, once it was on, it stayed on. It just wouldn't power on.