Inspiron 5150 - 'crackle' and failure

Question

I have an Inspiron 5150.  Purchased new  around Thanksgiving of 2003..  Upon starting, and once everything loads, as normal, if the machine is moved or given the slightest pressure, partucularly on the sides toward the front, the screen goes blank, the DVD Rom resets (as if you are rebooting), but then nothing occurs.  The screen remains off (nothing showing at all).  The fan speed appears to fluctuate slightly, and sometimes you get an audible crackling sound from the inside front of the system (sounds as if it is coming from right behind the speaker area, or from under the touchpad).  This happens if I'm using the batter AND when I'm using the power cord.  It is as if there is a short that occurs with the slightest movement/pressure.   Does anyone know what this is, or how to fix?  Conveniently, my warranty ran out 12/04.    Any thoughts at all would be much appreciated.  Thank you. Message Edited by dfritch on 05-03-2005 10:13 AM

NemesisDB · Answer

Dell's fix will be to install a new motherboard and it will cost a mint. There are 3rd party repair places that will fix it for around 200-300.

SMTRework · Answer

Please see: http://p068.ezboard.com/bi5150users

dfritch · Answer

WOW.  Thanks for the link.  That sounds exactly like what I've got.   Has anyone written to Dell execs?  Any luck???  Message Edited by dfritch on 05-03-2005 10:48 AM

NAB622 · Answer

Try reseating your memory first.   http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins5100/en/sm/upgrades.htm#1105389

Frankieh · Answer

If your having the 5150 shuts down on boot or when touched problem, this post I've been putting everywhere may help.

--------------------
I recently had the "5150 shuts down when bumped" problem and after some searching around I found some instructions here:
http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/43678/

I followed the advice, with the exception that I didn't pull my laptop apart, I did it all just by removing the C panel and the wireless card.

Its been working perfectly for a couple of days since and I updated the post above with my own steps. It took me 10 minutes from removing the C panel to putting it back on again, I've been carting it around while it's running and I can use the palmrest again without fear, it has not shut down once since I performed the repair.

Hopefull that will be of some assistance to people. Its certainly cheaper then paying Dell for a new motherboard.

rgds

Franki

dfritch · Answer

Thank you!

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