My Dell Latitude laptop fails to boot on A/C power as well as battery power
I have a Dell Latitude CPi R laptop. This laptop fails to boot on A/C power as well as battery power. When I switch on the laptop the power light comes on and the hard drive light blinks once and after 2-3 seconds the system shuts down. The display never comes up nor does the system fan start. In case of a floppy drive inside I can hear the click sound of it trying to access the drive just before the laptop shuts down. I completely disassembled the laptop and checked all the connections thoroughly but the problem remains.
I would test the AC adapter first. I think it’s possible that the adapter is bad and the battery is discharged. Try to remove the battery, plug in the AC adapter and start the laptop without the battery installed. Then I would try to install a test memory module or at least reseat it. Does is make any difference?
If nothing helps, you can minimize the system as much as possible and try to start it with an external monitor. Normally you need only 3 components to successfully boot a laptop and see if you have some basic functionality. These components are the system board, the CPU and the memory module. Leave only these three components and connect an external monitor. Now try turn on the laptop. You should a video on the external monitor. If you still have no video and the system still shuts down, then one of the three components is bad. I would try to swap the memory first and if it doesn’t help then most likely you have a bad system board.
About 2 weeks ago I had to repair a HP laptop with similar problems. I was able bring it back to live after I reseated the video cable on the LCD screen. The cable was half way out.
May 23rd, 2010 at 6:22 pm
For those who have the dreaded Dell flashing cap problem
The problem may be caused by heat damage to one or both of the RAM slots on the motherboard or defective slots. Reseating the RAM may work. You can try taking RAM stick B out and boot with just A and vice versa. You can also try different RAM in he slots as the RAM may be bad. Placing a small piece of rubber on the cover plate over RAM slot A, B or both seems to have worked for many. The rubber puts pressure on the RAM/slot so there is better contact. I had the same problem and the rubber fix worked for me. I found many solutions that worked on the link below
Buckaroo
http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/50498/
May 10th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Tara,
Try removing memory modules one by one. Test the laptop with only one module (either one) installed.
It’s possible one of the modules is going bad or one of the memory slots is bad.
May 10th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
I have a Dell Latitude D600. When I power it up, the 3 LEDs come on and it shuts down. If I press firmly down on it, close to the RAM it will power up to Windows, then freeze up. Battery is good (full charge), have tried taking the RAM out and putting back in. Nothing is permanently working. Any suggestions??
May 9th, 2010 at 11:14 am
Hey,yea i got a problem like this too, still need an help with it, when i start up my Dell latitude D820, i get ONLY a blackscreen, not even the welcome screen, checked my ram, etc etc..
tho, I DON’T Have the original AC Adapter for my laptop, but I use a HP one, doesn’t charge my battery, but for just a few days it was working fine.
Now, i can’t start my laptop without the adapter, unless I get a new one, and charge my battery…
I don’t actually think that is the problem.. so if anyone does, please Reply!
April 14th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Many things CAN cause this, but so many times, if there is no video and only a flashing led/light, The USB plug has been broken and the 5V line shorted and damaged the power supply.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Corey,
Could be the AC adapter failure.
If the battery has some charge, will it start from the battery power at all?
October 14th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Amideous,
Maybe memory failure? Have you tried reconnecting memory modules?
If you have two RAM modules installed, try removing them one by one.
October 14th, 2009 at 2:25 am
When I press the power button on my Dell Latitude D600 laptop capslock indicator flashes 10 times then stays back off.fan cant start nor monitor showing any indication of turning on.what could be the problem and what must i do?