Laptop not powering up

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Laptop not powering up

by Matt
(Minnesota)

I have a Dell Inspiron 6000 with a problem I'm trying to diagnose. The machine won't power up. I know that power is at least getting to some point in the laptop, via both the battery and the power adapter/plug. If I try to power the machine up with either power source connected, a few LED lights come on for a few seconds, then turn off. Previously, this was the normal start of the power-up, but now it's as far as the machine goes. Not surprisingly, without a power source connected, it does nothing.

I know a multimeter is quite useful for power issues - I've ordered one but don't have it yet. The laptop had a small amount of water spilled on it a day before this problem occurred, so I think that may have done some damage. Any ideas on what the problem might be? I've opened it up, and don't see anything obviously wrong. I'm hoping for the (unlikely) possibility of an inexpensive fix.

Thank you!

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Laptop not powering up

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Jun 12, 2009
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Laptop Power Supply
by: Support

Hello Matt,

Sounds like the water caused some damage to your power supply, if it will come on temporarlly means the power supply is building up a small amout of DC current then is disapated when you press the power button.

When you get your meter, try ohming out the leads to the power button. Remember to let the power supply disapate any residule power, would only take an hour or so.

If the power button shows infinte one way and zero when pressed then it is ok, follow the leads from the power button back to the power supply and see where the ohm meter goes from zero or some value to infinte, and there will be the dead part.

Good luck with finding the problem.