My 5150 now starts only half the time. I really do think it has something to do with the underside of the laptop. When I touched the panel covering the RAM it started to act funky again (after it suddenly shut off and I picked it up to see what was going on). Seems very fishy that there is still no official comment on this.
Its amazing. I have exactly the same problem. This was my post:
"
Last January I bought a notebook Inspiron 5150. In July it started having problems; every time the computer was turned on and I started working, it turned off. Afterwards, the computer could not be turned on at all. It wasn’t a heat problem, nor was it a dust issue, because if you push the keyboard or palm rest with your hand, the notebook worked perfectly. Dell’s technicians told me that the problem was related with the motherboard. Therefore, they sent a new motherboard and assured that the problem would not happen again. Four months later, the same problem occurred (with the same symptoms). Dell’s technicians tell me that it’s the motherboard again and that they will send me a replacement board, which will take 15 days.
I am a consultant; my notebook is a necessary tool for my work, and without it I cannot work. Now, I have to wait 15 days to have the replacement and to have my problem resolved. Additionally, my warranty expires in 50 days; however, DELL is not giving me a full extension of my warranty. The only options given are to extend for a limited period of time (3 months) or to buy a new warranty.
I’m really disappointed and upset with DELL. I bought a US$2,200 notebook which has not worked properly since I got it. The negligence of Dell and Dell´s technician has caused me ECONOMICAL DAMAGES because I had to waste half of a month every six months to submit my computer for its reparation and with the same problem!!!!. I explained to them that what I want is to return the notebook and get a refund for the money paid since I feel ripped off because what I bought is a computer that should have worked properly since the beginning. It is not reasonable that it has to be repaired twice in less than one year.
Dell´s answer was that they are not prepared to refund the money paid. This is ridiculous since the recurring fault was caused by their hardware. I do not recommend to buy anything from Dell from now on, and I will do my best to assure that other consultants, family, friends or any person not to buy anything from Dell either, their hardware is unreliable and their service lacking. After months of problems I can say from first hand experience that Dell is more concerned with selling damaged hardware than taking care of their customer base."
For those whose computers were repaired by Dell, was there any information provided about what was fixed/replaced? If there was some way we could see what type/model of motherboard is being used to 'fix' the problem, maybe those of us out of warranty could find it somewhere other than Dell and fix it on our own.
The first time (july) they changed the motherboard. This time they going to change (in 15 days) the motherboad, the fan and palm rest. botton line, the Dell´s technicians are "guessing" what the problem is.
Please, if you are experiencing this problem with your 5150 and are dissatisfied with Dell because of it, call Dell's Customer Care. Make a formal complaint. No matter whether you are under warranty or not, it would help all of us 5150 users if you would submit a formal complaint. It will take 5 to 10 minutes of your time. I naively hope that if enough of us submit complaints, maybe they will take a serious look at the problem. Thanks.
I agree, Dell should be recalling the faulty models or at least showing some recognition of the problem, not waiting for the laptops to break down and putting their customers through their arduous customer support system. I emailed them about my laptop and they are trying to get me to virtually dissassemble mine to find out the exact problem. Why should I? That's the job of the technician. It's under warranty, it's broken, they can fix it.
Something is up. I can't even place a CD in the CD tray without it shutting off. After I shut the tray, it goes into its frustrating cycle of restarting sounding like something is causing it to restart 2-3 times before it finally shuts off. Will flagging this thread for moderation/violation of TOS lead to someone official even posting something on this thread, even if it's unrelated? I mean, it's be nice if there is some acknowledgement from Dell that this thread does exist and it's not just a bunch of discontent users who are only a small fraction of 5150 owners.
Unfortunately, we don't have the overall picture. Either this problem is widespread, or it is not. If widespread, a recall is in order. If not, then an offer to repair any notebook that manifests this problem, at no charge, would do much to preserve Dell's reputation at minimal cost. If somehow due to improper use (hitting keys or leaning on the palm rest too hard, etc.), then some sort of warning from Dell would certainly help. Is there any relationship to the dust/overheating issue? What can we do to avoid or mitigate the problem? Can the boards be repaired with appropriate rework tools? Tell us how. Can refurbished boards be made available at low cost? Help us out, Dell. In three years or less, all warranties will expire and we will all be in the same situation - and very upset.
unfortunately, they're a dell custom part. i think i remember someone else mentioning a website that sold them though (refurbs or spares i think). that said, try ebay or try dell spare parts. you'll save a bit if you're up to installing it yourself, but it's still going to cost a mint, wherever you buy it from (ebay potentially excluded)
I am yet another victim of this problem. I bought my laptop in July of 2003 and just recently (last couple weeks) started having the problem where it lost power immediately when I moved it even the slightest bit.
I dissassembled the enitre computer (down to the motherboard and nothign else) and re-assembled it twice. Now The computer won't even power up unless I am applying a large amount of pressure downwards on the palm rest to the left of the touchpad. As soon as I release the pressure (and like I said... alot of pressure, enough to flex the palmrest) the computer dies immediately.
During power-up without touching it, the computer power light comes on, the fan begins to spin, the CD-Rom Drive begins to spin, and power dies immediately.
I am out of my warranty and use this computer as my only source of income and as well my only computer for my schoolwork. Needless to say I dont want to and cant afford to pay $800+ or whatever it will cost to have Dell replace my motherboard.
If anyone has any imformation on what model motherboard is being put into these machines, I woudl greatly appreciate it. If anyone finds out and finds out that we can get a motherboard for cheap from a source other than Dell, I would even be willing to do replacements for the rest of you that are out of warranty with little or no charge, I just want my computer back!!
Maybe someone who has had their mobo replaced by Dell has the guts to take it apart and search for a part number/manufacturer?? :smileyhappy:
Lets keep everyone updated and also dont forget to call in and complain!!
aznman43
62 Posts
0
November 6th, 2004 10:00
Souer
27 Posts
0
November 7th, 2004 02:00
I am a consultant; my notebook is a necessary tool for my work, and without it I cannot work. Now, I have to wait 15 days to have the replacement and to have my problem resolved. Additionally, my warranty expires in 50 days; however, DELL is not giving me a full extension of my warranty. The only options given are to extend for a limited period of time (3 months) or to buy a new warranty.
I’m really disappointed and upset with DELL. I bought a US$2,200 notebook which has not worked properly since I got it. The negligence of Dell and Dell´s technician has caused me ECONOMICAL DAMAGES because I had to waste half of a month every six months to submit my computer for its reparation and with the same problem!!!!. I explained to them that what I want is to return the notebook and get a refund for the money paid since I feel ripped off because what I bought is a computer that should have worked properly since the beginning. It is not reasonable that it has to be repaired twice in less than one year.
Dell´s answer was that they are not prepared to refund the money paid. This is ridiculous since the recurring fault was caused by their hardware. I do not recommend to buy anything from Dell from now on, and I will do my best to assure that other consultants, family, friends or any person not to buy anything from Dell either, their hardware is unreliable and their service lacking. After months of problems I can say from first hand experience that Dell is more concerned with selling damaged hardware than taking care of their customer base."
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_general&message.id=170043&view=by_date_ascending&page=1
cordless_larry
69 Posts
0
November 7th, 2004 07:00
aznman43
62 Posts
0
November 7th, 2004 13:00
Souer
27 Posts
0
November 7th, 2004 15:00
cordless_larry
69 Posts
0
November 7th, 2004 15:00
dead.meat
8 Posts
0
November 7th, 2004 15:00
KingSnake1
2 Intern
•
193 Posts
0
November 7th, 2004 18:00
We all spent a lot of money on these notebooks
pbloom
11 Posts
0
November 7th, 2004 19:00
Please, if you are experiencing this problem with your 5150 and are dissatisfied with Dell because of it, call Dell's Customer Care. Make a formal complaint. No matter whether you are under warranty or not, it would help all of us 5150 users if you would submit a formal complaint. It will take 5 to 10 minutes of your time. I naively hope that if enough of us submit complaints, maybe they will take a serious look at the problem. Thanks.
Phillip
rich1980
14 Posts
0
November 7th, 2004 19:00
Message Edited by rich1980 on 11-07-2004 03:13 PM
aznman43
62 Posts
0
November 7th, 2004 20:00
dspman
306 Posts
0
November 7th, 2004 21:00
Message Edited by dspman on 11-07-2004 07:25 PM
NemesisDB
2 Intern
•
7.9K Posts
0
November 8th, 2004 02:00
dodgedude39
6 Posts
0
November 8th, 2004 02:00
Dreamstalker
51 Posts
0
November 8th, 2004 03:00