Brand new Inspiron 1520 dead on the Third day of it's use

Question

Hi,   I have bought Inspiron 1520 with XP on 25th March 08 and started using it from 26th March 08. I have found the laptop was not turning on on 28th March 08 morning. I have used Newpoint (UL1363, UL 1449 Transient Voltage Surge Suppressor, Electrical Rating: 120 VAC, 15A, 50/60 Hz) Surge Suppressor to protect the laptop from any poer issues.. However, I found laptop was dead on the third day of it's use. These are the problems that i have faced from the day that i have started using the laptop:   1.  On March 26th 08 evening, Laptop was suddenly powered off while working. I am able to restart it, however, after 10 mins of working, Laptop's screen or display flickered and changed it's colors for 2 mins and came back to normal mode..   2. On March 28th 08 Morning, I have tried to switch/power on the laptop, however it was not turning on. I have observed power light was not on, the batterly light on laptop was turned to amber and green repetetively for a minute. After some time, AC power adapter light was not on, If i connect that to laptop. If I remove adapter's wire from laptop, then i can see green light on power adapter.   3. I can also smell some thing burned out inside the laptop.   4. Also, The room where i keep the laptop will be cool as I decrease the heat sometimes..   Pls let me what could be the reason that the laptop was not turning on? My friend also faced the same problem with Dell latitude D630/D620 earlier (who lives opposite to my appt). Is this a problem with voltage spikes or other power problems. If so, We are using surge suppressors as mentioned above, which should take care of those voltage issues. Pls suggest what needs to be done to avoid these issues..

kyochan19792002 · Answer

I have a similar problem also:smileysad: My Inspirion 6400 is also dead and it dies on April Fool's day!!!:smileysad:

My Notebook suddenly dies after I use it for Internet surfing. At that time, my Notebook is still under charging mode.

May be, it is a sign of inferior products from Dell. I have another Notebook (same model from Dell and it was bought two years ago) and it is still working fine even the battery is too old.

Message Edited by kyochan19792002 on 04-01-2008 12:01 AM

shaglund1 · Answer

if something is burning then thats bad... return for warrenty

RanjithCh · Answer

I am wondering, Is there something problem with my home power supply (power circuits inside home..?). However, my TV, Fridge etc equiments are working fine...

As four laptops got damaged as specified in my original post above, even after use of surge suppressors, Pls help me, how to get rid of the above mentioned problems..

RanjithCh · Answer

Yes, I will get a new laptop as a replacement. However, my concern is Will the new laptop also goes with the same problem as we had problems with Dell latitudes D630 just few months back..

shaglund1 · Answer

as long as your house runs the voltage and frequency (Hz) specified on the power "brick" it shouldnt be a factor.

if 4 laptops have done the same thing then that is worth looking into, or just really really bad luck.

shaglund1 · Answer

i know lots of people with dell notebooks and none have had any problems. they do have a useful life, like any electronics. you cant expect any computer to last over 5 years. 5 days on the other hand..... if you have had that bad of luck try a different line (XPS) or a different brand all together.

so far i would reccomend a dell computer to any of my friends

Message Edited by shaglund1 on 03-31-2008 06:45 PM

kyochan19792002 · Answer

It seems that it is the quality of the NoteBook is the cause of all the problems. It doesn't matter if the model of the NoteBook is new or out-dated.

By the way, do you have similar problem on Dell products before? In the past, Dell is a supplier of high-quality computer products. Now, there are news on collecting faulty Notebook batteries. I am really worried if Dell's products will be reliable anymore after few years.:smileysad:

Message Edited by kyochan19792002 on 04-01-2008 07:36 AM

Message Edited by kyochan19792002 on 04-01-2008 07:37 AM

kyochan19792002 · Answer

I hope that we are just the unlucky ones having the bad products from Dell. Both of my Dell Notebooks are bought in Singapore.

I am not sure if there will be any quality difference acorss different countries.

RanjithCh · Answer

Yes, I had a problem with Dell D630 Latitude laptop earlier. This latitude one is provided by my company for my work. Company technicians called up Dell people who fixed the issue, however, issues keep on raising. Company tech says Dell has not replaced the correct parts..Now, I had same problem with Inspiron 1520. May be the following are causing the issue:

1. Power/Voltage problems in my house: I can say yes for this as I had same problems with 2 to 3 computers (mine and my friends), few point opposing my yes are, how come other electronic things are working fine, if there is a voltage or power problem. Even, I have used good quality surge suppressor. Also, AC adapter provided by Dell should take care of all voltage problems..

2. Faulty parts from Dell: May be i have bad luck that I am getting faulty parts from Dell. However, It is not the case with few of my friends. They are using Dell products without any issue..

Hence, I am planning to verify voltage levels at all power outlets in my house. Also, checking whether they are properly grounded or not. I think I may have to check, if any of other appliance voltage noise is causing issues..

kyochan19792002 · Answer

In Singapore, the power supply to the house is always stable.

In Australia, I experience some power disruption often. My new Dell Inspirion 6400 Notebook is dead when I use it in Australia:smileysad:

RanjithCh, where do you live when your new Notebook is dead?

RanjithCh, may be you and I just get the worst batch of Dell products. It means that no matter how many times we send the Notebooks for repair, the Notebooks still fail to work within one year even the best power surge protection are installed in the house.

Message Edited by kyochan19792002 on 04-02-2008 08:00 AM

Message Edited by kyochan19792002 on 04-02-2008 08:04 AM

RanjithCh · Answer

At present, I am in US. Dell people are sending me another brand new laptop. However, I am worried, what happens, If the same problem occurs again and again?

shaglund1 · Answer

if they cant find the problem, or give you a explination, then you keep getting new laptops haha

go get a flash drive and save all your important stuff to that

Message Edited by shaglund1 on 04-02-2008 11:14 AM

RanjithCh · Answer

I am thinking of getting a refund, If I face problem again with another new Dell laptop. Did somebody here got refund like this?

kyochan19792002 · Answer

Dell has Refund Policy on certain products only. Anyway, when you get your new NoteBook, don't store anything important on it. Use any external storage until you feel confident that your new NoteBook works fine.

RanjithCh · Answer

I have received a replacement laptop on 4th Apr 08. Also, I have bought, a brand new Power sentry surge protector (3400 Joules) just to avoid voltage spikes etc..It is rated for UL 1449 and H-N 330V,H-G 330V, N-G 330V. I have got all my power outlets, circuits verified by a technician. According to him, nothing is wrong with power supply.

Even after this much protection, If laptop fails again, I have no clue.. I am using Dell USB mouse (rating 5V), This is the only external hardware I am using with my laptop... Waiting to see, what will happen to the new laptop..

Locked Topics – Laptops General

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