Inspiron 6400 shutting off intermittently...Please help.

Hi,

It seems to be a hardware issue, please follow the steps below to isolate the issue:

1. Remove all external peripherals.
2. Remove the battery & disconnect the AC Adapter from the system and hold the power button down for 20 seconds, to discharge “Static Flea Power”, after that connect AC Adaptor and battery.
3. Turn on the computer and tap Caps lock or numeric key, check if the status on the LEDs located at the left side of the power button changes. 
4. If the status changes, please run LCD BIST test. To run LCD BIST, press and hold “D” and turn on the computer. Solid colors will appear on the screen indicating working LCD
5. Also, would suggest you to try an external monitor.
6. In case the screen remains black or external monitor display is fine, LCD has gone bad and needs replacement else, motherboard needs to be replaced.

Please keep me posted with the result

Thanks & Regards
Manshu S
#iworkfordell  

Hello.....

It has been booting up during this testing phase.

Steps 1 -2 done

Step 3 - I tapped the caps lock key -  power up and between Dell splash screen and WinXp splash screen I see the cap lock status light go on and off.

Step 4  -  press/hold  "D" key and power up but I only get repetitive beeps and boot up continues as normal and no solid colors (patterns) occur during this phase?

Step 5 -  Tried external monitor (LCD TV in living room) and I'm able to toggle Fn/F8 without problem.

Step 6 - Screen did not remain black or seem to be problematic during this test.

Hope I was clear with this response and did what you asked accurately?

I appreciate your assistance.

clv1966

Hi,

Thank you for performing the steps mentioned in my previous post. It seems like the computer is booting normally now. Since you have mentioned that the system is shutting down intermittently, I would suggest you to run diagnostics on the computer and let me know if the computer shuts off during the diagnostics or you get any errors while running the test. Please follow the steps below to run the diagnostics:

1. Turn off the computer
2. While holding down the FN key switch on the computer till you see the test running on the screen.
3. It will start the diagnostics.
4. Color bars on the screen indicate functional LCD, please press “Y” when it appears.

Please make a note of the error code if you get any.

You can refer the Dell Article 266787 on www.support.dell.com

Thanks & Regards
Manshu S
#iworkfordell

Howdy....

I will do what you suggest and return with an update.

To be clear....the re-occurring issue was I'd power up and that center indicator light comes on for a second or two then goes off leaving only the left indicator light still on.

Shut down.and restart several times and it may or may not decide to boot up.

Thank you and will advise.

Have a good one...

clv1966

I’m back….

First, an observation I made that when the left indicator light comes on I hear the DVD drive being read/accessed.

Then the center indicator light comes on for about 2 seconds, then shuts off and computer has black screen and does not boot up.

Also, I ran chkdsk last Monday prior to coming to this forum.

I’ve used AVG Anti-virus for years and keep up with updates and scanning.

I ran the test as you suggested and get the following error which came up two times during the testing phase:

DST short test fail

Error 1000-0146

Unit 0: DST log contains previous error.

Continued on with Dell Diagnostic Utility Partition (extended)

Service tag # at top of screen.

After searching the net I’ve read that some have stated this is a registry problem or hard drive failing?

I checked these sites:

fix-kit.com/.../repair

www.errorsfixer.org/windows.php says it could only be registry errors but I’m terrified of trying (believing) these so-called ‘fixes’ from unknown websites unless you approve?

If this turns out to be a truly FAILING hard drive is it really worth it on this 6 year old computer?

Especially if the M/B may start going end of life next?

I do have the install disk which I purchased with the computer but haven’t formatted a hard drive in a long time.

Extended test is still running.

Thank you for your help.

clv1966

Well....that's where my thoughts were heading also.

One last question:  is getting a new hard drive for this one imprudent spending being as how it's 6 years old or so?

Would not the M/B or something else be on it's last legs also?

You've been a great help in walking me throught this diagnostice process.

Thank you.

clv1966

Hi,

I would like to inform you that Error Code 1000-0146 indicates hard drive failure.

Since you already ran check disk on the computer and it did not fix the bad sectors on the hard drive, I would suggest you to replace the hard drive.

Please reply for any further assistance.

Thanks & Regards
Manshu S
#iworkfordell

Thanks for everything Manshu S.

I'll be ordering a new one this afternoon.

Have a good day...

clv1966

Hi,

I understand your concern and would recommend you to buy a new computer considering the fact that this computer is 6 years old.

Thanks & Regards
Manshu S
#iworkfordell

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