Struck by Lightning

Question

my neighbors house has been struck by a lightning yesterday. I was online with my Inspiron 8500 at that time.  Next time i wanted to boot I got an error message before the booting process saying my power adaptor couldn´t been identified. The notebook runs now on battery, which cannot be charged anymore. Looksa as if the internal power adaptor has been damaged. Does anybody know how much Dell would charge to repair this on a 2 year old 8500 Inspiron? Would it be worth to persuade the insurance to pay a new notebook? Thomas (Hamburg/Germany)

bacillus · Answer

I would simply try a new adapter in the first instance.

scottatah · Answer

Definitely try a new AC adapter.  Otherwise according to dell, you'll need a new mobo.  Generally 500-800 cdn.  It is possible you could go to an electronics store and actually have them fix whatever transistors or who knows what on the mobo (if thats the issue) or you might be able to ge ta cheaper mobo elseware, but none the less.  Try a new ac adapter first, it's much cheaper possibility.

ThomasLenne · Answer

The external A/C adapter seems to work as it still has this green LED burning, what i meant is that the connection INSIDE the notebook seems to be damaged.I am not sure if I knew how to open the notebook, identify the damaged part und replace it (not to mention  that I am not sure if Dell sells those kind of spare parts seperately) if I never worked inside a notebook before.... Thomas

scottatah · Answer

unfortunately dell does not sell that part seperately.  It would be part of the mobo.  If you know the ac adapter works and it is just the power porn on the mobo, might be worthwhile talkin to a local electronics shop.

Ed C · Answer

It doesn't matter whether the green light is on. The AC adapter may be damaged. If the notebook runs on just the battery you really need to try a new, known good, AC adapter first. It is very hard for the AC adapter to send a high voltage to the notebook as all the adapter are made to work with 120V to 240V power but the adapter could be damaged when you have a lightning strike. the notebook is telling you it can't determine what AC adapter you have. The only way for the notebook to give you that message is it sees the adapter. The only way for it to see the adapter is through the power/charging board on the motherboard. Since it can see the adapter that means the power/charging board is working but can't tell what AC adapter is connected because the adapter is BAD.

ThomasLenne · Answer

DELL just wrote me that after their experience a repair after an overvoltage is not recommended, as the costs may exceed the current value of the notebook. This is due to the fact that many parts have to be replaced and also those which seem to function might suffer from a shorter life-cycle. I just wonder if my insurance will accept that and pay at least a certain percentage of a new notebook...Thomas

HMKrieps · Answer

I would also try a new AC Adaptor before giving up the whole computer:
http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna/ProductDetail.aspx?sku=450-10465&c=de&l=de&cs=dedhs1&ManufactSelection=Inspiron%20Notebooks&ModelSelection=27162&page=DellItemsProductListing.aspx
it's 26.10€, plus shipping makes 38,86 €, so you don't risk much money in case it's a mainboard/power board failure.

johnallg · Answer

Yes, your home owners insurance should cover repairs or replacement.

rbtnthmn · Answer

ThomasLenne,   I had a similar instance happen to me with my 9100... Aside from its already present problems with the graphics card overheating, a power surge finally took it out. To top that off, it went out of warranty back in Feb, so i was out of luck from Dell.. Luckily, homeowners insurance agreed to investigate my claim. I was told to take it to a computer service store and have them give me an estimate of repair costs... Their suggestion was to replace at least the motherboard as the power connector and surrounding transistors were damaged (not burned, just damaged). The service tech was able to perform a miracle and actually get it to turn on after some 'tweaking' (according to him). Well he wrote it up as an approx. 950$ replacement of the mobo, and did not garauntee that other components would need to be replaced after that. He suggested that the proc and gpu be replaced as well, but did not write that in. My homeowners insurance decided that it would be cheaper for them to just buy me a new one... minus my deductible and 250$ depreciation (its over a year old). so with that check in my hand, i have just ordered the 9300 with lots o goodies...   my advice is use that homeowners insurance to its fullest, after all its what you pay them for. You will probably have to get a written estimate of costs and labor before they will accept your claim though.   good luck, rbtnthmn

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Struck by Lightning

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