Maybe this is a stupid question, but have you tried it with just the battery?  Could you explain your problem more?  When you say it will not finish booting up do you mean it locks up or powers down.  More information would be a great help.

 

db

Tried without battery with same response.  The computer goes into the boot sequence then just shuts down.  It never gets past the first screen before shutting down.

I have been having the same problem with my Inspiron 600M.

I had to replace my keyboard about 6 months ago and the piece that had to be removed never could be replaced properly (I should have complained while still under warranty). I had to tape it down in order to start the computer about a week ago. Now I have trouble starting the computer more often (and the taped clip is not helping). I try to push the start button in a number of places, I also will hold the button down for a few more seconds than I used to. Then I started to take out the battery and putting it back. Sometimes this helps and sometimes it doesn't. It's mostly hit and miss and is very frustrating. I was hoping to find some help here. Any other ideas?

Inspiron 600M/Windows XP Professional OS w/SP2/60GB HD/Intel PentiumM 1400Mhz/1.4GHz/512MB RAM

Don't get discouraged with Dell, they make solid computers and accesories.  The early versions of the 600m had a few problems, they have been worked out.  This is a problem all computer makers have, components fail, early systems sometimes are released with problems.  Some will last a long time, some  a very short time, it just depends on use and manufacturing. 

On a side note, if you need to replace the mb, you could try ebay and dell spare parts, it would be much cheaper than a new one.

good luck!

db

Nope, I just went out of warranty last month. I was able to have a bad hard drive replaced just before it expired (technical support tried to convince me that it wasn't a hard drive problem; thank goodness for very knowledgable coworkers as I work in a technology department for a large US company). This computer cost me over $1800 and I am sorry to say that too many things have gone wrong within the first year. I am very disappointed. I can't afford to spend much money on repairs since I saved for 3 years to get this one. I have owned a Dell desktop for around 5 years and I haven't had any hardware issues with it. I have heard so much good about Dell and their equipment, but I am disappointed in the Inspiron 600M quality, it is very cheaply made. I guess since lightweight computers are in high demand, they can over inflate the prices....which BTW have gone down considerably since I bought this model a year ago.

I just completed a trouble shooting call with the Dell technicians and they think this is being caused by a bad mother board.  I removed the battery and replaced it several times and the start up still fails at the same place ~ during the Dell screen with the status bar.  I tried anothe AC adapter with the same results.  Not sure if you are seeing the same proble but my computer will start the start up processes after hitting the power button and I will see the Dell screen with the status bar and after about 8 seconds it will just power off.

Hopefully it is under warrenty...b/c that does sound like a bad mother board, and that can be somewhat pricey.  If it is not under warrenty, you could always pop the top and see if anything is lose, but only do this if you know what you are doing and it is out of warrenty...you could do a lot of damage if not careful.  If it is under warrenty, then dell will replace it. 

Thank you for your encouragement. I guess computers, like cars, are sometimes lemons. :smileysad:

Honestly, I really have enjoyed my laptop. I just hoped it would not have had the problems it has, so early on. And I have become so dependent on it that the breakdowns feel that much worse.

If one of my computer experts determines that I should try a new mb, I'll heed your suggestions.

Thanks again.

BT

It has been since April 12th that I have been trying to have this issue resolved.  I took off work on 4 different dates because I was told a technician would be out during a specified window of time but each time no one showed up.  My wife waited on two different days with the same result.  No I have been sitting on hold waiting for a manager for 43 minutes and still counting.  This was after I was transferred around several times and being disconnected.  The part was shipped on April 22nd via next day air.  I called on April 25 and scheduled an appointment with the technician for today April 26 between 2:15 and 5:15.  Now that it is 6:00pm and I am still on hold!  I was told by one of the earlier reps today that my ticket mwas closed on the 21st and the work was completed.  I am not sure how that happened when the computer is still broken.  In addition I was promised by Benny in the customer service site that if the computer was not fixed by the 25th they would send a replacement.  Now the reps are saying thay can not do that.  This is a brand new laptop less than 1 month old with an extended warranty and my son needs it working for school.  It worked for 2 weeks and has been down since.  I want a replacement laptop sent!

Now it is Wednesday April 27th and I am on hold again waiting for the rep or his manager to figure out the mess with the ticket.

Here is the original confirmation for the work to be completed on Tuesday.

Dear XXXXXXXXXXX,

Your appointment 56736277 has been confirmed for 2:15 PM to 5:15 PM on

04/26/2005. We appreciate your business and look forward to providing

timely service to you.

Sincerly,

Dell Computer Corporation

So, I am not sure how the ticket was closed on the 21st but I recieved a confirmation for the work to be done on the 26th, but no one actually showed up or called to cancel.

 

Still waiting.

 

Kris