On / Off button refuses to work...

Question

... at least 4 out of 5 times I press it.   When my Inspiron 6400 with Vista is off I have to press the button loads of times (leaving 3/4 seconds inbetween each one) before it randomly activates.   The same happens when I'm trying to put the machine on standby, the buttom takes several pushes before it actually works.   I never used to have this problem. I can't exactly remember when it started, but I don't think it was there before I upgraded to Vista.   I did a quick search but couldn't find anything specific to this. Can anyone help?     While I'm here, I might aswell ask how I can change my touchpad configs so I can use the scroll options again...   Thanks very much!

biznatch11 · Answer

The button could be physically broken, that happend on my Inspiron 4000, the plastic part that you push wasn't lined up properly with the actual power button underneath so it didn't always work. You could try taking off the hinge cover, instructions. You'll see the actual tiny power button (white I think), try pressing the power button and see if it works. If there's still a problem I would think it's a hardware one, not Vista. When you're pressing the power button to turn on the comp there's no operating system running before you turn it on so the OS wouldn't affect it.

Message Edited by biznatch11 on 05-18-2007 04:58 PM

querry1 · Answer

Try holding the button for a few seconds.

RikDodd · Answer

Thanks for your help guys.   I've tried all sorts of different things in regards to pressing the button in a certain direction and holding it down for a couple of seconds.   I'll try changing opening it up tomorrow though.   Cheers

RikDodd · Answer

I've hoocked up the hinge cover and made sure that everything was in place before I pushed it back in.  But the problem is still there, the button aren't in direct contact with the buttons underneath.   What's more, over the last couple of days I've noticed that the lights indicating whether wi-fi, etc, is on only show when I press firmly on the cover.   I've now repeatedly unhooked the cover and replaced properly but the problem remains.   The only thing I can think of is that the cover itself is bent upwards in the middle, but I can't spot anything wrong with it when studyling it.  I've also tried tightening the screws around the cover to ensure that all the components are low enough so that they're not pushing the cover upwards.   Any advice?

biznatch11 · Answer

When you removed the hinge cover did you try pushing the power button? Do the lights come on properly without the hinge cover? Basically, is the problem just with the hinge cover not fitting properly, or do you still have the problems without the hinge cover when you can see the lights and press the power button directly?

ICS4U1 · Answer

This problem seems similar to the one I'm having with my Inspiron 6400 (also running Vista, about 3 months old), so I decided not to start a new thread.

My power button is not working properly. I have to push the power button many times before the computer will turn on. Holding it down for a longer period of time doesn`t do anything either. When it does turn on everything runs fine, but usually pushing the power button gets no response (no status lights turn on, harddrive doesn't spin, etc). It`s probably not a software problem since the power doesn`t even turn on when it doesn`t work. I think I`ve also ruled out any issue with the power supply, since booting up the computer in media center mode with the MediaDirect button works 100% of the time.

Also, the right status light (the battery with the lightning bolt) no longer seems to turn on even when the computer seems to be working normally. The numlock, capslock, and wifi status lights do not turn on, though the scrolllock light is still functional. Could this also be related to the same problem?

I`d like to try removing the hinge cover to see if the alignment is the problem, but I`m not sure if that would void the limited technical support and rapid response depot warranty I still have.

Any help you could give would be very welcome.

Message Edited by ICS4U1 on 05-30-2007 12:20 AM

biznatch11 · Answer

Removing the hinge cover won't void any warranty but they won't repair any damages you cause in the process, but removing the hinge cover is simple and shouldn't cause any damage.

RikDodd · Answer

I've found the problem, and I believe it's the same casue of ICS4U1's problem too.

I removed the hinge cover and the panel underneath, on which the button and lights are located, and found that this panel has a metal stripe that must make contact with the mental stripe below. Without this contact there is no circuit, hence why the button and lights do not work unless we force the panel down so that contact between the two stripes is made.

Just a simple hardware problem.

I'm extremely busy but I will call Dell soon, and I expect them to fix it.

I'm on the most basic warrenty, does anybody know what will happen when I call? Surely they could just come around, confirm my and replace the part there and then?

Message Edited by RikDodd on 05-31-2007 06:06 AM

biznatch11 · Answer

If you don't have the on-site warranty you will have to send it to them. They'll mail you a proper box to send it in if you don't have one. When anyone I know has sent it in they get it back within a few days.

querry1 · Answer

Or if you are smart you will have them send you the part in question and install it yourself. If you send your computer back to Dell it could well be Labor Day when you get it back.

I would contact Dell to see if they well send the part. Then go to Ebay and buy it. Down time will days instead of months.

Inspiron E1505 T5500 Core 2 Duo

2gb 667 mhz 5400 DD2

Intel 950 Graphics

Windows XP Media Center 2005 - Express Vista Home Premium Upgrade

biznatch11 · Answer

Why would it take so long to get it back? Over about a dozen times (from different people I know) have sent in a laptop to Dell, they all got it back within 5 days.

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On / Off button refuses to work...

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