Dell D810 stopped working
Dell D810 stopped working
My Dell D810 (5 years old Windows XP) has just stopped working. The screen suddenly went blank. Then the normal start up began and after a few seconds and then it went blank again. Now it is completely dead. Nothing. Zilch!
I am now using my D430 I will see the computer wiz in the office of my SIL on Tuesday but should I think about a more modern setup rather than a possible repair?
I have been doing some troubleshooting. The computer was on a docking station with power indicated. Now I have it on the AC adapter with power indicated. The lid seems loose - could it be something do do with this?
I am now using my D430 I will see the computer wiz in the office of my SIL on Tuesday but should I think about a more modern setup rather than a possible repair?
I have been doing some troubleshooting. The computer was on a docking station with power indicated. Now I have it on the AC adapter with power indicated. The lid seems loose - could it be something do do with this?
Last edited by Mike6567; 29th May 2011 at 08:56. Reason: insert paragraphs
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Did the laptop restart on its own after the screen went blank, or did you restart it?
Can you hear the HD or cooling fan run/start etc?
Do you get the same symptoms on battery?
Can you hear the HD or cooling fan run/start etc?
Do you get the same symptoms on battery?
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Suddenly going blank (relating to computer screens) is probably a Stop Error. It could also be a hard drive failure, although hard drives tend to give a few warnings before expiring.
Are you able to fettle the lid when you power on to see if you can impart a change in the start behaviour to the laptop? You may have a dodgy connection. Power supply snag is also a player.
Failed video card or LCD backlight failure are other causes of black screens, although probably not relevant here.
Links HERE, to troubleshoot the restart snag, and HERE for deeper fault find and identification. (If ever you get to the desktop) At 5 years old, you MAY have a loose connection on the mobo due to thermal expansion/contraction.
Ebuyer/Dabs/Novatech are doing some good deals!
Are you able to fettle the lid when you power on to see if you can impart a change in the start behaviour to the laptop? You may have a dodgy connection. Power supply snag is also a player.
Failed video card or LCD backlight failure are other causes of black screens, although probably not relevant here.
Links HERE, to troubleshoot the restart snag, and HERE for deeper fault find and identification. (If ever you get to the desktop) At 5 years old, you MAY have a loose connection on the mobo due to thermal expansion/contraction.
Ebuyer/Dabs/Novatech are doing some good deals!
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Consider something newer. The D-series laptops don't last much past 5yrs of light use or 3yrs of heavier use (or 6 months of sales-gorilla use!).
A nice Core-i3 based sandybridge laptop would be my choice.
A nice Core-i3 based sandybridge laptop would be my choice.
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The D810 is a doddle to disassemble, and Dell has instructions on its website. It will also run without a battery, so you could pop that out to see if it's part of the problem. I'd also check if the memory is still seated OK. You can get the thing disassembled, wiggle all the connectors and reassembled inside an hour, if you're a wiggly person.
On the docking station or AC adapter or just battery all that happens when I press the "on" button is the power light will show I have pressed the button and then the light goes out.
I will talk to the wiz on Tuesday and then start to fiddle (seems loads of stuff on the Dell site).
I will talk to the wiz on Tuesday and then start to fiddle (seems loads of stuff on the Dell site).
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You're right about the Dell site, Mike, and bearing in mind your loose lid; found this little tinker which may be of use to other people.
This may seem odd, but i had a problem wherein the laptop intermittantly shut down for no reason. Finally one day it shut down and wouldn't power back up at all.
Turns out it was the little soft rubber nipple near the hinge. This actually goes to a switch that shuts down the machine when you close the cover (screen). It got pushed down below the plastic in the little hole where it resides. It held the switch down all the time. I got some very small tweezers and phished it out of there. Made sure it was not ripped and it is working fine. I will be keeping an eye on it,though.
And the classic;
*Take out the battery,
*Remove main supply,
*Hold power button down for 30 secs,
*Put only power supply in, do not put battery in
*Turn laptop on
*Put the battery in.
This may seem odd, but i had a problem wherein the laptop intermittantly shut down for no reason. Finally one day it shut down and wouldn't power back up at all.
Turns out it was the little soft rubber nipple near the hinge. This actually goes to a switch that shuts down the machine when you close the cover (screen). It got pushed down below the plastic in the little hole where it resides. It held the switch down all the time. I got some very small tweezers and phished it out of there. Made sure it was not ripped and it is working fine. I will be keeping an eye on it,though.
And the classic;
*Take out the battery,
*Remove main supply,
*Hold power button down for 30 secs,
*Put only power supply in, do not put battery in
*Turn laptop on
*Put the battery in.
Last edited by Spurlash2; 29th May 2011 at 18:03. Reason: ...there's more
Lack of progress report
Not a lot of progress. Got the hard disk out and that is OK. The data was already backed up but at least anything not covered is still available.
The computer wiz is unable to help. The light indicates when the power button is pressed but nothing more. We are not sure how the closing of the lid is detected. Is it anything to do with the right hinge? I can't see how but this is faulty. It is possibly something wrong with the power supply inside the computer or the motherboard?
I will continue to investigate but it is like getting an old car working again. How much is it worth spending compared with the cost of a new modern system.
I think I will plan to upgrade to some sort of Dell Latitude E and get to grips with Windows 7. Though I am not sure if my Microsoft Money 200 will still work!.
The computer wiz is unable to help. The light indicates when the power button is pressed but nothing more. We are not sure how the closing of the lid is detected. Is it anything to do with the right hinge? I can't see how but this is faulty. It is possibly something wrong with the power supply inside the computer or the motherboard?
I will continue to investigate but it is like getting an old car working again. How much is it worth spending compared with the cost of a new modern system.
I think I will plan to upgrade to some sort of Dell Latitude E and get to grips with Windows 7. Though I am not sure if my Microsoft Money 200 will still work!.
