Inspiron 9100 doesn't boot

anything symptoms like this http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_general&message.id=155751  ??

 

 

YES, exactly the same symptom as your describe in your first post:

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The difference is that for me it happenned EVERY DAY since I got the computer: Friday 7th may. Yesterday evening, I had to repeat 12 times the sequence "power on/power off" before finally powering up. I didn't notice (yet) any LCD corrupted screen or XP error messages though.

I bought a spare battery with the computer. The problem is identical with any battery so I assume it isn't related to battery.

A collega bought the same computer: he has the same problems. We are starting to warn all the company. Most servers and desktops are Dell. I hope Dell will react quickly and efficiently.

But after reading the forum, I'm coming to a disappointing conclusion: Inspiron 9100 seems to have a serious design issue :-(

I have an 8600 which appears externally to be similar in may ways to the 9100.

It also will not boot.

The lights go on then promptly go off. After about five retrys I get the "loading bios" screen. This crashes part way through then each subsequent reboot it gets further until it actually starts.

 

I have exactly the same problem, and probably the same spec machine.  I find that removing the AC and battery, putting the battery back in, then booting right through to Windowes before plugging the AC back in seems to work most often.  A Dell engineer is visiting on Friday to replace the motherboard, as they seem to think it's faulty.  We'll see.  I agree, there does appear to be either a design flaw or a production quality control problem.  Whilst only people with problems will be on these boards, there's a lot of us with this particular issue.

Also, Dell seem to expect their customers to do a hell of a lot of diagnostic work, even when they have paid for on-site maintenance.  I was asked to remove all the laptop's major components to find out if any were causing a problem.  I don't mind ensuring there are no peripherals attached, or taking out batteries, but removing memory boards, CDs and hard drives with all the possibilities for breaking something is going a bit too far.

I have an I8600 with a similar problem. When I hit the power button, all three (caps, num, scroll) lights come on (no screen flashes or anything) as well as the power light (in group with the hard drive activity LED, bluetooth,etc..) and stay solid for 10 sec, then shut off. During this time, no fans, hard drive, or d-bay drive start to spin, up.

Usually after several times going through this process of pushing the button and waiting (varies from 2 times to 20 times) the machine will post and boot into windows. Once it has starts up everything performs great (never randomly shuts down) and always shuts down on command with the power button.

So far in an attempt to fix the problem I have had:

2 motherboard replacements
1 memory replacement (both dimms)
1 processor replacement
1 GPU (MR 9600 PT) replacement

and still no luck...

>>or the area near it,

Huh?

What do you mean there?

>So far in an attempt to fix the problem I have had:

>2 motherboard replacements
>1 memory replacement (both dimms)
>1 processor replacement
>1 GPU (MR 9600 PT) replacement

>and still no luck...

In all my cases of non boot, pushing the lcd shutoff pin, or the area near it, a few times seemed to make it boot.  That could just be a coincidence, but I guess it would make sense if that mechnism failed to release, then the machine might not boot.  I do not think there is anything else you can replace that would prevent the machine from posting.

I guess he means the removable strip just above the keyboard. The old Dell's had a strip which could be removed, exposing the buttons underneath. The new 8600 has a removable strip with the buttons built into it. It is very thin and pressing the area around the buttons activates them.

I think the whole issue of this failure to power on is thermal. On my 8600 it takes about 15 attempts to get the thing going, with each attempt getting futrther into the boot sequence. Once the machgine is running it can be shut down switched off then it will start up first time.

I've tried pressing the strip at the back of the keyboard, and that seems to work.  I press it down by maybe 2mm just behind and to the left of the power button - it's the grey strip to which the LCD hinges are attached, not the blue one that edges the keyboard.  Engineer here tomorrow...

>Huh?

>What do you mean there?

On my 9100, there is a plastic pushpin directly at 2 o'clock ( under the last L in DELL) from the power button, the pin enters the case on the strip holding the LCD.  When I press the pin or the plastic strip that connects the LCD the machine boots.  O also notice there is more play to the case in these areas.  I do not press hard, just lightly.

Like I said could be coicindence, But a faulty mechanism there could explain why you have changed out everything and the problem still occurs.

 

 

At last I seem to have found something that works - pressing the plastic strip down worked before because I'd also left the machine running for a while:  I switch the laptop on and leave it for 5 minutes or so in it's un-booted state (only fans and HDD seem to run).  After 5 minutes, switch it off and immediately back on again.  Works just about every time, but still not a proper fix.

Keeping the message on top of board.

Other Inspiron models seem to suffer the same symptomn (9100, 8600). So buyers, be aware!

Thank you, and... indeed!

There is a faulty mechanism somewhere under that blue/grey plastic parts.

I got Dell support by phone and told/helped me to remove that part of plastic. Once removed, but not deconnected (there is a small flat ribon), the computer boots at first time now. I'll receive a spare part of that plastic with connectors, buttons and lamp/leds on monday.

What wonders me is why did I make that manipulation myself with my own fingers? I have warranty on site within 24h. A technician should come to make all that stuff. Will see on monday if the spare part comes alone or with a technician.

Keep you informed.

But indeed, motherboard, hard drive, battery, memory, etc, don't seem to be faulty at all.

Motherboard has been replaced and all seems fine so far.

sorry, that last post was for an 8100, but i guess the same applies for the wires, maybe just the power button PCB is different.