Inspiron 1100/5100 Wouldn't Power On/Boot Up but...Problem Solved!

Question

My Inspiron 1100 wouldn't power on/boot up at all. When the AC adapter was plugged in, it wouldn't do anything at all. It would charge the battery but acted otherwise dead. With the adapter unplugged and just on battery power, when you pressed the power on button the left and right (not center) lights on the front of the computer would simultaneously flash once, then nothing else would happen. Took it to the local computer repair shop; they returned it to me and said it was probably the motherboard. I called Dell support and the tech was able to determine that it was the 'read switch' (I have also seen this referred to as the 'reed switch'.) which is integrated into the touch pad/palm rest cover. I purchased a used replacement touch pad/palm rest cover, part number 5x596, from parts-people.com for $26.39 (including shipping) and was able to install it myself by taking the computer apart, replacing the touch pad/palm rest cover, then reassembling the computer. I had never taken a laptop apart before, but the entire job only took about 20 minutes using one small phillips screwdriver, and now the computer works great! I am posting this in hopes that it helps someone else. The problem isn't always the motherboard, although from reading the forums the motherboard seems to get the blame for everything. Also, Dell gave me the wrong part number so it took a little while to figure that out and determine the correct part number. Note that the same touch pad/palm rest cover fits the Inspiron 5100 laptop. My replacement cover actually came from a 5100.

Ktel · Answer

I have an Inspiron 5150 with the same problem.  It looks like everyone has the same problem.  I fitted a new reed switch and it still has the same fault.  NO POWER!  D@nm these Dell Laptops.

Locked Topics – Laptops General

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