I managed to get through to Dell tech support. Although when I did I could not understand the representative at all. I don't see why I have to be a liguistics expert to get answers.
Anyway, after asking the representative to repeat himself again and again I managed to put together the suggestion of unplugging the laptop, removing the battery and holding down the power button for 20 seconds, and then put the battery back in.
The unit actually powered up but I could not make out the answers to any of my questions so I'm hoping someone here can answer my questions.
1) What does it mean when the CAPS LOCK LED blinks 10 times when you press the power button?
2) Are there descriptions of what all the different flashing combinations mean when powering up? I tried searching the forums and the rest of the support site but came up empty.
I have had the same problem (problem starting and having to remove the battery) almost every day with my 8500. DELL support has not been able to come up with any reasonable suggestions other than removing the battery, hard disk, memory, etc., holding down the power button for 25 seconds, and then putting everything back together again.
I believe the problem is static related but I'm not sure. I have found that SOMETIMES if I leave the computer plugged into power overnight (but with the computer turned off), it will start the first time. Sometimes not. I have also found that by patiently waiting for the "A" light to go out and then hitting start again (and repeating this several times) eventually the computer will initialize.
I am not very happy about this situation and am chasing after Dell about it via E-MAIL with DELL support but I have my doubts about a solution.
After calling Dell a gazillion times and having them repeatedly come to my house to replace who knows how many components they eventually gave up and sent me a brand new 8500. I'm glad to have the new computer but I'm saddened to think that I've literally spent over 50 hours either on the phone with Dell, or E-Mailing them, or being with tech guys that come to the house, etc.
But it all started with the problem you are describing... I forsee a new computer in your future...
Press the power button, and the power, numlock, capslock, and scroll lock LED all illuminate simultaneously for about a second, then they all go out. No power up.
Removing and re-inserting the battery usually fixes the problem. It normally happens when I have been running from the battery without the recharger, and later try to turn it on with the recharger attached. Don't know if this is the only scenario, since I haven't put any effort into trouble-shooting (and don't plan to).
As a minimum, it would be nice to have a list of POST codes, to at least have some clue of what to check when things like this happen.
No, the new computer did not have the same problem - it's works just fine. However, my original 8500 also worked fine for a few months...
One thing I like about my new 8500 is that it doesn't have the mushy cottage cheese keyboard - it's nice and firm. Well, not as firm as some other keyboards I've tried but much more acceptable than the keyboard on my old 8500.
Regardless of what any of the POST messages mean it can only mean trouble. If you get
any lights and no startup it means that the computer can't start up because
something is wrong. Some piece of hardware did not pass a test.
Well, I submitted my question to Dell Tech Support, stating as I did here, that removing and re-inserting the battery was the work-around I was using. Apparently the technician didn't read enough of my message to catch that, and sent a form response:
Thank you for contacting Dell eSupport and Services. We appreciate the opportunity to assist you. I apologize for your trouble and I assure you it is our hope that you have a positive experience with our company.
If your computer will not turn on, or it turns on then off quickly, try removing all the removable components and reseat the RAM.
Since the computer will not turn on without RAM, all you need to do is pop the chip out and put it back in.
Remove the battery, hard drive, PCMCIA cards, CD-ROM/Floppy.
If the system turns on, start inserting each component, one at a time. If it fails to boot after you insert a particular component, we will need to replace it.
Thank you again for choosing Dell.
That's sort of like putting me in a round room and telling me to pee in the corner. In my case, the problem is intermittant... I can't reproduce it every time, and second, I know removing and re-inserting the battery allows the computer to power up.
Fair enough... with a little persistance I should be able to isolate the component, or show it's not any of the aforementioned components. Still, it's a hardware defect of some sort that I shouldn't have to deal with.
It drives me NUTS when they don't listen. It also drive me NUTS when every time I called they asked me to do the exact same thing every time when it clearly never worked any previous time. And I know all these things are noted in my record.
If the problem persists you will have to call them at least 4 or 5 times. Eventually they will give up and probably offer you a replacement.
I have been experiencing the "back and forth" with Dell regarding this problem for several weeks. I have also experienced the senseless responses. Also, because of the intermittent nature of the problem it is very difficult to debug. Actually, my power on problem is something I can expect just about every morning.
They have suggested replacing the power on button. I find this an interesting approach and asked them why they think the power on button is the cause of the problem.
We shall see what happens. I am interested in hearing other people's experiences along this line.
Yeah, they replaced the "Hinge" on mine that contains the power button. Obviously, I still had the problem.
You're heading down the exact same road as I did. Have they asked you yet to look at the bottom of your computer to check if all the screws are present? That's a good one - I predict they will ask you this soon.
I'm reading more and more of this problem lately on the boards...
Checking the screws: This came early on during the analysis of the problem. All screws were present and accounted for and properly secured.
As you mention, changing the hinge with the power on button does not seem to me to be the way to go. There message regarding this was:
-----
As per the issue the LCD HINGE COVER ASSEMBLY needs to be replaced
inorder to replace the power button.
-----
My response was:
----
Thank you for your message on the above.
I am concerned as to why you feel the POWER BUTTON needs to be replaced.
The POWER BUTTON works fine.
While I appreciate your option of replacing the LCD HINGE COVER ASSEMBLY,
before getting into that, could you please explain the following:
1. Light Indication
During attempts to start the computer, the "A" light (alpha lock) light
flashes several times and then the goes off. The computer does not
initialize (no POST, no NOTHING). After doing this several times I am
generally able to get the computer to initialize. Alternatively, removing
the battery, memory, etc. and then putting them all back in generally
resolves the problem. The POWER BUTTON works just fine.
What does the flashing "A" light mean?
2. DC/DC board
Your earlier message indicated that sometimes lose connections at the DC/DC
board can cause a problem. I requested details about the location of the
DC/DC board. Could you provide additional information on this for me?
3. My original contact with DELL regarding this matter (TRACK: 049562955)
on October 4, 2003, led me to believe that the problem was a static build
up. Is this the case or not? Is this related to the "DC/DC" board you
mentioned?
Again, before we start tearing the computer apart, I would like to have a
better understanding of your analysis of the problem.
-----
To which, I have not received a response. I am going to send my response again to see what develops.
Rothgarr
31 Posts
0
September 20th, 2003 21:00
I managed to get through to Dell tech support. Although when I did I could not understand the representative at all. I don't see why I have to be a liguistics expert to get answers.
Anyway, after asking the representative to repeat himself again and again I managed to put together the suggestion of unplugging the laptop, removing the battery and holding down the power button for 20 seconds, and then put the battery back in.
The unit actually powered up but I could not make out the answers to any of my questions so I'm hoping someone here can answer my questions.
1) What does it mean when the CAPS LOCK LED blinks 10 times when you press the power button?
2) Are there descriptions of what all the different flashing combinations mean when powering up? I tried searching the forums and the rest of the support site but came up empty.
Thank you.
MEGATLX
11 Posts
0
October 25th, 2003 13:00
I have had the same problem (problem starting and having to remove the battery) almost every day with my 8500. DELL support has not been able to come up with any reasonable suggestions other than removing the battery, hard disk, memory, etc., holding down the power button for 25 seconds, and then putting everything back together again.
I believe the problem is static related but I'm not sure. I have found that SOMETIMES if I leave the computer plugged into power overnight (but with the computer turned off), it will start the first time. Sometimes not. I have also found that by patiently waiting for the "A" light to go out and then hitting start again (and repeating this several times) eventually the computer will initialize.
I am not very happy about this situation and am chasing after Dell about it via E-MAIL with DELL support but I have my doubts about a solution.
Geoffrey Davis
N23GD@YAHOO.COM
Rothgarr
31 Posts
0
October 26th, 2003 18:00
MegaTLX,
After calling Dell a gazillion times and having them repeatedly come to my house to replace who knows how many components they eventually gave up and sent me a brand new 8500. I'm glad to have the new computer but I'm saddened to think that I've literally spent over 50 hours either on the phone with Dell, or E-Mailing them, or being with tech guys that come to the house, etc.
But it all started with the problem you are describing... I forsee a new computer in your future...
daNewt
10 Posts
0
October 27th, 2003 00:00
I have a similar problem with my Inspiron 8100.
Press the power button, and the power, numlock, capslock, and scroll lock LED all illuminate simultaneously for about a second, then they all go out. No power up.
Removing and re-inserting the battery usually fixes the problem. It normally happens when I have been running from the battery without the recharger, and later try to turn it on with the recharger attached. Don't know if this is the only scenario, since I haven't put any effort into trouble-shooting (and don't plan to).
As a minimum, it would be nice to have a list of POST codes, to at least have some clue of what to check when things like this happen.
Message Edited by daNewt on 10-26-2003 09:37 PM
MEGATLX
11 Posts
0
October 27th, 2003 01:00
I am going to assume that the new computer did not have the same problem. Please confirm.
Geoffrey Davis
N23GD@YAHOO.COM
Rothgarr
31 Posts
0
October 27th, 2003 01:00
MegaTLX,
No, the new computer did not have the same problem - it's works just fine. However, my original 8500 also worked fine for a few months...
One thing I like about my new 8500 is that it doesn't have the mushy cottage cheese keyboard - it's nice and firm. Well, not as firm as some other keyboards I've tried but much more acceptable than the keyboard on my old 8500.
Rothgarr
31 Posts
0
October 27th, 2003 01:00
daNewt
10 Posts
0
October 27th, 2003 22:00
Well, I submitted my question to Dell Tech Support, stating as I did here, that removing and re-inserting the battery was the work-around I was using. Apparently the technician didn't read enough of my message to catch that, and sent a form response:
Thank you for contacting Dell eSupport and Services. We appreciate
the opportunity to assist you. I apologize for your trouble and
I assure you it is our hope that you have a positive experience
with our company.
If your computer will not turn on, or it turns on then off quickly,
try removing all the removable components and reseat the RAM.
Since the computer will not turn on without RAM, all you need
to do is pop the chip out and put it back in.
Remove the battery, hard drive, PCMCIA cards, CD-ROM/Floppy.
If the system turns on, start inserting each component, one at
a time. If it fails to boot after you insert a particular component,
we will need to replace it.
Thank you again for choosing Dell.
That's sort of like putting me in a round room and telling me to pee in the corner. In my case, the problem is intermittant... I can't reproduce it every time, and second, I know removing and re-inserting the battery allows the computer to power up.
Fair enough... with a little persistance I should be able to isolate the component, or show it's not any of the aforementioned components. Still, it's a hardware defect of some sort that I shouldn't have to deal with.
Rothgarr
31 Posts
0
October 28th, 2003 00:00
It drives me NUTS when they don't listen. It also drive me NUTS when every time I called they asked me to do the exact same thing every time when it clearly never worked any previous time. And I know all these things are noted in my record.
If the problem persists you will have to call them at least 4 or 5 times. Eventually they will give up and probably offer you a replacement.
Let us know how it turns out.
MEGATLX
11 Posts
0
October 28th, 2003 12:00
They have suggested replacing the power on button. I find this an interesting approach and asked them why they think the power on button is the cause of the problem.
We shall see what happens. I am interested in hearing other people's experiences along this line.
Very truly yours,
Geoffrey Davis
N23GD@YAHOO.COM
Rothgarr
31 Posts
0
October 28th, 2003 13:00
Yeah, they replaced the "Hinge" on mine that contains the power button. Obviously, I still had the problem.
You're heading down the exact same road as I did. Have they asked you yet to look at the bottom of your computer to check if all the screws are present? That's a good one - I predict they will ask you this soon.
I'm reading more and more of this problem lately on the boards...
MEGATLX
11 Posts
0
October 28th, 2003 22:00
As you mention, changing the hinge with the power on button does not seem to me to be the way to go. There message regarding this was:
-----
As per the issue the LCD HINGE COVER ASSEMBLY needs to be replaced
inorder to replace the power button.
-----
My response was:
----
Thank you for your message on the above.
I am concerned as to why you feel the POWER BUTTON needs to be replaced.
The POWER BUTTON works fine.
While I appreciate your option of replacing the LCD HINGE COVER ASSEMBLY,
before getting into that, could you please explain the following:
1. Light Indication
During attempts to start the computer, the "A" light (alpha lock) light
flashes several times and then the goes off. The computer does not
initialize (no POST, no NOTHING). After doing this several times I am
generally able to get the computer to initialize. Alternatively, removing
the battery, memory, etc. and then putting them all back in generally
resolves the problem. The POWER BUTTON works just fine.
What does the flashing "A" light mean?
2. DC/DC board
Your earlier message indicated that sometimes lose connections at the DC/DC
board can cause a problem. I requested details about the location of the
DC/DC board. Could you provide additional information on this for me?
3. My original contact with DELL regarding this matter (TRACK: 049562955)
on October 4, 2003, led me to believe that the problem was a static build
up. Is this the case or not? Is this related to the "DC/DC" board you
mentioned?
Again, before we start tearing the computer apart, I would like to have a
better understanding of your analysis of the problem.
-----
To which, I have not received a response. I am going to send my response again to see what develops.
I'll keep you posted.
Geoffrey Davis
N23GD@YAHOO.COM
portalguy
2 Posts
0
June 21st, 2004 18:00
Hi MEGATLX ...I'm having the same issue...did you manage to resolve it with them?
Cheers