4150 Power Connection Replacement

Well, I have the Inspiron 4000, and I have a similar problem as well as many people it seems (note the sticky thread at the top of this forum).  I've tried 3 different power supplies also.   I'm convinced that mine has a bad connector, because I could can make it work by pulling the plug to the side very hard and it would show that it was charging.   Now, it's doesn't work no matter what I do.  So...  Of course my 3 year warranty is out, I decided to call Dell and find out how much it was for them to replace it ($699 + tax), buying the motherboard outright ($590).   Took me 1.5 hours to get this information btw.  Terrible customer service, IMO.  I must admit, when it was under the 3 year next day service, it was much better service.  This motherboard was replaced about 1.5 years ago for another issue, but I can't recall at the moment what the problem was.

So, today I decided to try and get to that plug myself, and sure enough it's just about impossible to get to the solder connection because it has a shield around it.  

I'm not sure if you are aware of this, but there are a lot of Dell power supplies that have been recalled.  The fact that all of mine fall under the recall makes me wonder if they were so hot that they are frying the connector. 

The customer support rep. gave me this number to call (there's also a place you can check online) to verify if yours has been recalled.  (800) 418-8590

 

Scooter  :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Message Edited by Scooter3 on 12-07-2004 02:55 PM

I have similar problems with my Inspiron 4150. Here is a summary of my issue:

1. Received laptop (brand new) as gift around Summer 2002.
2. Used laptop occasionally (not every day use) for about 3 years. Mostly (95%) home use, rarely did i travel with it.
3. About 2.75 years in, I noticed that I had to start wiggling/holding the connection where the AC Adapter meets the notebook. Since I only used the machine occasionally, I did not find this to be that big an issue/inconvenience, until I noticed that I had had to start holding the connection tighter and tighter.
4. I noticed that I was slowly loosing battery life and that it was not re-charging when connected to the AC Adapter. I finally gave in and called tech support. After several calls, I determined that I would try to get a new AC Adapter. I purchased the AC Adapter (which is currently under recall b/c of overheating issues!!!) and tried that with my battery and 4150. Did not work, so I returned the AC Adapter and continued to work with tech support to try and resolve the issue.
5. After several calls with tech-support I was told I could ship the laptop back to them and they could diagnose the problem on their end for $250. I had the pay it b/c my laptop was only under warranty for 3 years and I was at 3 years and 2 months (if I had called when I first started having the issue, I would have covered by warranty!).
6. I sent the laptop and after a week, I was told that the laptop would no longer work (not ever turn on again). Basically I was told it was dead. I asked if they had tried putting another battery into the machine, they stated that they had and it still would NOT work. I was told a motherboard replacement was my only option for about $500 (can't remember exact figures).
7. I decided to not to get the work done, they sent me my 4150 back, and just started saving for a new laptop.
8. I purchase a new 9200 about a week ago.
9. The other day, I finally got a hold of another charged ,compatible, battery for a 4150. I plugged the battery in, and my laptop works!!!!! After being told that there was no possible way for my laptop to ever work again, it works by simply putting a new battery in...Now I know that this isn't the best solution as I would have to buy a separate battery and some sort of battery charger for the 4150 battery (DELL does not make a separate charger for the 4150 batteries). I would have to continually swap out the batteries...but it would work...

So it seems that there is a problem with the internal AC connection for the 4150. I found this forum and found HUNDREDS of other issues that sound VERY simimlar, if not EXACTLY, like mine.

What gives here!?!?!? Did the bad AC Adapters run to hot and cause a problem in the internal AC connection!??!?! Is DELL producing bad equipment!?!?!?

I am very unhappy about all of this and just generally feel like I am getting shafted on this. I am sure that others feel the same. Perhaps a class action suit is in order here?!?!!?

Brian

This is an option for you if you are interested... http://www.laptoptravel.com/Product.aspx?ID=2263

It's an external battery charger that will charge two batteries at once. If I would have known about this a couple years ago, I would have jumped all over it. At this point I think I'll pass. Btw, I sent my Inspiron 4000 in and yes, it was expensive, but they changed just about everything on my laptop. Keyboard, motherboard, chassis parts etc. Basically anything that I listed as a problem, they fixed. Note: They said that the LCD was not part of the deal, but I mentioned to them in my note that the video was going funky on me again, and I kept having to reseat the video cable ribbon that they changed while it was under warranty and they decided to change the LCD for me. :D

As far as Class action lawsuits go, no thanks. The lawyers get everything, and we get basically nothing. And I'm satisified with Dell as a company, and continue to order items from them for friends, family and my work.

Oh, this is a cheaper option to a MB replacement... I have never used them, but random googling found that.

http://www.tech4home.net/powerjacksinfo.html

Scooter :)

Scooter,

I have realized that I am not going to get anywhere with Dell on this issue. It is just extremely frustrating that they produce a product that has broken so many times for the same reason. I understand that it is my own "fault" for not calling Dell immediately when I started having the issue (which would have still been under warranty) and, instead, waited for the issue to be worse before I called tech support and reported the problem (at this point it was 2 months out of warranty). I thought I was doing them a favor by not harrassing them for every little thing that goes on with my computer, but instead i just scr3w3d myself.

By the way, I have since talked to SEVERAL laptop delears and repair shops. Apparently this issue with the 4150 is EXTREMELY common. I also found this place:

www.laptopwork.com

They told me on the phone that it sounds like the CMOS needs to be replaced (this only costs like $40 to do it yourself if you can find the part cheap enough). I think it sounds like an issue with the DC plug/connector on the back of the 4150 or something that this is connected to near/on the motherboard.

I am going to try a local repair shop before sending it anywhere though.

Brian