I've just heard that Dell are collecting my 5150 this week. I didn't really want it to go in before I found out more about whether the problem could be fixed from home, but my warranty is about to expire, so here goes...
Message Edited by cordless_larry on 10-05-2004 06:00 PM
Larry, I noticed the new victim (Rob) had the problem appear last Thursday. Right in the pattern!
Do you think Al Qaeda had some operatives in Compal factory, and this is part of their 'October surprise'?
Hey, it's as good a theory as any right now. The alien theory is for the next post.
99erist, does your machine show the problem with the CD drive removed? Could the problem be in the CD drive itself? With "NAJ" having an i1000 (with different motherboard etc) it gets even curiouser.
The obvious problem, is when we are touching the bottom of our notebooks.. they somewhat power off.. still on but the screen is dark etc etc..
But when I turn the power off by holding down the power switch and reboot.. it ALWAYS gets stuck on the "Dell" start up screen. Anyone else having this particular symptom?
I don't get stuck on the start-up screen - once it's tried to restart, I have to turn it off beofre I get anything back on the screen (usually by removing the battery, since now it doesn't even seem to turn off if I hold down the power button).
Anyway, it's being collected Thursday. They say it'll take a week, but I think they've misdiagnosed the problem, so it could be longer. Although I guess they'll probably just replace the motherboard if their plan to replace the bottom of the case doesn't fix it.
Did you tell them about this problem being common between us all? So you were able to explain the situation right and did they understand it? I am just asking b ecause I am going to call tonight. I will also report back what they say, etc
OK I called and I am sending my notebook in... here is what she said:
she stated it was a motherboard issue and they are going to replace that. I told her that while my notebook is plugged into AC power, the power light on the notebook is blinking green. She said that it was supposed to be SOLID green. Can anyone confirm that? I just want to be sure what she said is correct.
I need my notebook for the next couple of days so I am not having them pick it up till friday or saturday. But hopefully this will do the trick
She did state, and I am telling you all this JUST INCASE you were not aware, that if you are sending back your notebook, be sure to remove your hard drive before you ship it back or your HD will be wiped clean!
cordless_larry
69 Posts
0
October 5th, 2004 15:00
Yet another victim:
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_general&message.id=167266
I've just heard that Dell are collecting my 5150 this week. I didn't really want it to go in before I found out more about whether the problem could be fixed from home, but my warranty is about to expire, so here goes...
Message Edited by cordless_larry on 10-05-2004 06:00 PM
KingSnake1
2 Intern
•
193 Posts
0
October 5th, 2004 16:00
Let us know how it turns out Larry. I am waiting to call on mine just a liiiiiiiittle bit longer.
This just gets stranger and stranger by the day
dspman
306 Posts
0
October 5th, 2004 17:00
NewAgeJesus
18 Posts
0
October 5th, 2004 17:00
Oh... Yeah... I think i mentioned this in my original post, before i got directed to this one. It's a Inspiron 1000 I have, not 5150.
So.. Yeah...
NewAgeJesus
18 Posts
0
October 5th, 2004 17:00
dspman
306 Posts
0
October 5th, 2004 17:00
cordless_larry
69 Posts
0
October 5th, 2004 19:00
cordless_larry
69 Posts
0
October 5th, 2004 20:00
Nope - I'm in the UK, there's one of us in Sweden, one in France, and the rest in the US.
So I guess that rules out powersurges etc.
KingSnake1
2 Intern
•
193 Posts
0
October 5th, 2004 20:00
Is anyone experiencing the following symptom:
The obvious problem, is when we are touching the bottom of our notebooks.. they somewhat power off.. still on but the screen is dark etc etc..
But when I turn the power off by holding down the power switch and reboot.. it ALWAYS gets stuck on the "Dell" start up screen. Anyone else having this particular symptom?
NemesisDB
2 Intern
•
7.9K Posts
0
October 5th, 2004 20:00
Just a thought ... you all don't happen to be geographically close to each other do you?
NewAgeJesus
18 Posts
0
October 5th, 2004 21:00
cordless_larry
69 Posts
0
October 5th, 2004 21:00
I don't get stuck on the start-up screen - once it's tried to restart, I have to turn it off beofre I get anything back on the screen (usually by removing the battery, since now it doesn't even seem to turn off if I hold down the power button).
Anyway, it's being collected Thursday. They say it'll take a week, but I think they've misdiagnosed the problem, so it could be longer. Although I guess they'll probably just replace the motherboard if their plan to replace the bottom of the case doesn't fix it.
KingSnake1
2 Intern
•
193 Posts
0
October 5th, 2004 21:00
KingSnake1
2 Intern
•
193 Posts
0
October 5th, 2004 23:00
she stated it was a motherboard issue and they are going to replace that. I told her that while my notebook is plugged into AC power, the power light on the notebook is blinking green. She said that it was supposed to be SOLID green. Can anyone confirm that? I just want to be sure what she said is correct.
I need my notebook for the next couple of days so I am not having them pick it up till friday or saturday. But hopefully this will do the trick
KingSnake1
2 Intern
•
193 Posts
0
October 5th, 2004 23:00