Hardware Analysis Community Forums http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/43678/ 2008-08-21T15:26:36-05:00 http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/43678/ http://media.hardwareanalysis.com/halogo.gif text/html 2008-01-24T05:16:07-05:00 Richard Kovach http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/43678/?l=1#526722 Wow, hundreds of dollars worth of thanks to the creator of this thread. I wasted 2 hours on my own trying to diagnose this problem, then 3 hours shopping for a new laptop (and still not being sure what I want/need), and only 1 hour fixing my 5150 after discovering this thread. And the beast got a very thorough cleaning as a bonus.<br /> <br /> After discovering the actual problem, I'm amazed I never encountered it before. My 5150 is nearly 4 years old, and had very heavy use and abuse for most of that time -- at least 60 hours of use a week, lugging it to work and back in a backpack daily for 2.5 years, using it on the train, around the house, and even in the midst of basement reno construction... So I can't say I'm too upset with <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> but I am extremely grateful that I don't have to buy a new laptop!<br /> <br /> Kudos!<br /> <br /> Richard text/html 2008-01-13T11:26:18-05:00 Bob Billetdeaux http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/43678/?l=1#525514 I also am happy with Dell. They have fixed my 5150 twice and have given me an extended warranty both times. You just have to bel persistent with them and keep asking for the persons supervisor. Ask for the conflict resolution supervisor and you will get results. Good luck. text/html 2008-01-13T02:13:42-05:00 Vishal Shah http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/43678/?l=1#525483 I just wanted to comment on previous note made my Mr. R and have been said earlier by some others as well that &quot;I promise not to buy <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> again.&quot; To be honest, I only buy DELLs and I love them. My uncle buys DELLs, ton of them for years and that too refurbs...and never has problems.<br /> No matter what company you go with, one or two products are meant to give problems. Eevn teh world's best computer mfr., IBM (Lenovo), is bound to make some headache systems. It's business. When problems happen company will hide it. And to be honest, customer service reps and tech reps many times don;t know about it, it's not that they are hiding the problem. Imagine yourself never having had an exp. with <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> Inspiron 5150 and come tomorrow you get at a job at <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> as a tech support agent. There is so much infformation and knowledge stashed in a company, and due to turnover rates that every company faces problems with, it is almost impossible and financially not logical to be able to effectively transfer all that knowledge. It is just impossible! You won't know about this issue and next morning a customer calls and you would say...nopes! 5150 has never had lawsuits. Whateever you may say, but you can't blame DELL. In fact, in their support, <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> themselves mailed me lawsuit paper work and told me that they gonna bring me back underr warranty since I have experienced problem. In fact, when I experiecned problem the first time around, I was out of warranty, way out of it... <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> still took 100% responsibility to fix my system for FREE (they paid even shipping!). And fixed it and on their own offered free warranty! I love DELL. text/html 2008-01-12T20:40:39-05:00 Rob Cowles http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/43678/?l=1#525462 I fixed it! I borrowed a normal sized sautering iron from a friend of mine.<br /> <br /> Removed the C panel. If you are looking at the bottom of the C panel, break off the right tab flush with the lid. Remove wireless card. Remove the rubber insulation sticker that covers the damaged chip on the left just under the edge of the computer opening. Let the sautering iron warm up for a few minutes. GENTLY touched every one of the sauter marks with the iron. Left it on each mark for about 3 or 4 seconds. Let cool for about 5 minutes. replaced wireless card. Replaced C panel. Started the computer right up and it works PERFECTLY! I was a little leary of writing this until I tested it out first. My <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> Inspiron 5150 has been working perfectly for 2 days now!<br /> <br /> Thanks all who took the time to find this problem and post the suggested repairs here. You all just saved me from having to buy a mother board!<br /> <br /> FOR THE RECORD. I PROMISE TO NEVER BUY A <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> AGAIN! I AM SHOCKED AT THE LACK OF SERVICE AND THE DISREGARD THAT THEY HAVE SHOWED ME FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS. SOMEONE AT <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> HAS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS DESIGN FLAW AND THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY HIDING THIS FROM THE PUBLIC.<br /> <br /> I AM WRITING THIS LETTER FROM MY NEW HP PAVILLION DV6000. SO FAR SO GOOD.<br /> <br /> Rob text/html 2008-01-10T03:02:31-05:00 Vishal Shah http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/43678/?l=1#525111 Hello there:<br /> <br /> Wait! Don't spent that $400 on a motherboard. Here is the thing that you need to learn...some reps r not very helpful either becasue they are lazy and just a care of the fact that they are getting paid their normal salary and aint gonna get paid nething more by assisting you, or because they dont have enough knowledge which I mostly notice when the call gets transfered overseas...(South African support personnel are just as good as American support personnels...any others however, I am not comfortable with). <br /> <br /> To the point, try calling and talking to another rep. If he/she don't listen, get a bit aggressive...sound a bit annoyed, firm and as if you mean business. Request for a manager and deny to talk to neone else but manager. At this point you will either get to talk to that so called &quot;supervisor&quot; or get the canned response &quot;our manager is not in today or is in ameeting. Please provide us with your contact info that he can call you back at.&quot; or &quot;we will escalate the case and you will hear from us soon&quot;. Before ending the call, say &quot;I request a different model or a quick resolution to this or money back or else the case goes to BBB&quot;. Trust me! American corporations s**t their pants as soon as they hear the word &quot;BBB&quot;! I aint s**tting you about this. I am an expert at getting my ways with companies. Tip: Take down every person's name and conversation notes...the more notes you ahve more effective your BBB case! Havea record of all <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> assigned case#s. You have to show BBB that you tried your hardest to resolve problems yourself. <br /> <br /> IF you need more personal assistance, email me at <a class="ext" href="mailto:vsacademic@gmail.com">vsacademic@gmail.com</a> and I will help you. I like helping people through these issues and I gurantee you that your fellow citizen will put a smile on your face !<br /> <br /> Good luck buddy!<br /> On a side note, I researched what laptops I did not want and am happy with my exchange Inspiron 6400! text/html 2008-01-09T23:55:50-05:00 Rob Cowles http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/43678/?l=1#525084 I have the exact same problem. I'm not much of a computer genius but I'm pretty handy. <br /> After reading all of these posts I thought the best plan of action would be to start at the top by calling <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> and talking to them about the problem.<br /> I had no idea why my computer was shutting down everytime I moved it slightly or placed my palms (left one especially) on the palm rest to type.<br /> I bought a new <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> Inspiron 5150 about 3 years ago and had nothing but problems with it. I was constantly on the phone with Tech support. In fact, my first <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> did the same thing and they ended up sending me a new one because they &quot;couldn't figure out what was wrong with it&quot;.<br /> the second one that I recieved (the one that I now have) under warranty had a faulty Hard Drive so they sent me a new one.<br /> Now this problem.<br /> I just got off the phone with <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> and they &quot;have no idea what I'm talking about&quot;. They know nothing of the design flaw. I told them that it was NO coincidence that I read this forum, removed the C Panel and saw exactly where the tab was rubbing on the MB chip. I told them that it is very visible where the tab was rubbing away at the rubber insulation sticker and on the chip itself.<br /> I gave them this web address and they even read most of these posts with me! Crazy.<br /> In short, they told me that since I am out of warranty there is nothing they can do for me. They said that I should replace the Mother Board at $399!<br /> <br /> I'm on my way to Radio Shack to buy a $9 sautering iron.........<br /> text/html 2008-01-08T06:23:15-05:00 Tom Giles http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/43678/?l=1#524949 I just would like to thank everyone for your posts. I came very close to buying a replacement MB on <a href="/action/r/http://www.ebay.com/">eBay</a> until I found these posts. I found that a large C clamp on the left palm rest to my dining room table worked until I cut the tabs. LOL<br /> BTW a sharp pair of diagonal cutters will take the tabs off the &quot;c&quot; door very nicely without filling.I was fortunate enough to find this site and cut the tabs before I had to try to re-touch the pins with the iron. <br /> <br /> I know someone who works for a large computer company and the lack of integrity about these issues is unfortunately common. You see it is all about $$. It would cost <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> plenty to recall all the thousands of units to correct the issue. They can get away with letting the service process take care of it and make more money in the process. Good to see folks have banded together and got some action out Dell. <br /> If you find a company that would actually own up to issues like this let me know and I will buy from them. <br /> “ The heart is deceitful above all things,And desperately wicked; Who can know it? <br /> Jeremiah 17:9<br /> Keep posting and helping each other out.<br /> Thanks<br /> Tom text/html 2007-12-25T07:38:17-05:00 Paul Berg http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/43678/?l=1#523285 OK Mavice. I thought I was a geek-in-good-standing but you just stepped above me on the geek food chain. You da man! Most excellent analysis, diagnosis &amp; instructions. Even an old man like me was able to follow them and breath life back into a 5150. <br /> <br /> Thanks very much. Worked like a charm. Except for the one place I neglected to follow your instructions. <img src="http://media.hardwareanalysis.com/smilies/smile12.gif" width="14" height="14" border="0" alt=":blush:" title=":blush:"> I forgot where all those stupid <b>%$%#$@&amp;*$# </b>screws came from. It had to come apart three times, <img src="http://media.hardwareanalysis.com/smilies/smile17.gif" width="14" height="14" border="0" alt=">:o" title=">:o"> <b>THREE TIMES</b>, before I got it all back the way it came. But it worked well. <br /> <br /> Thanks Pal,<br /> Paul text/html 2007-11-17T14:25:14-05:00 John Voss http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/43678/?l=1#519416 I am in New York and I am happy to report that <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> has repaired my Inspiron 5150 after the expiration of the extended warranty on 9/30. I contacted them by email and they requested that I run the <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> diagnostics. This of course didn't work because the laptop died quickly when I tried. They said that a box would be sent to use for shipment but I actually had to call DHL to get the box usinig the reference number <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> supplied. Incredibly the computer was repaired and returned within 40 hours (NY to Memphis TN and back) and yes, the innermost tab on cover C was shaved down. Enclosed document states replaced system board, keyboard, heat sink and entire bottom cover. <br /> <br /> John text/html 2007-11-12T15:49:20-05:00 Vishal Shah http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/43678/?l=1#518623 First off:<br /> <br /> 1. you have to call <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> and have them fix it for you<br /> <br /> Now the issue is, the laptop may run well and good for about 3-4 months and the problem will most likely regenerate. Even if it doesnt regenerate 3-4 monsths chances are at some point in your life the problem WILL REGENERATE!....since it is an inbuilt system design flaw. <br /> <br /> 2. Hence, contact <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> after 3-4 months and say that you have read million posts and there are complains all over the net that the problem does regenerate. Also, mention that your problem has REGENERATED despite them fixing it. <br /> <br /> 3. Accepting nothing less than an exchange of the system. <br /> 4. If you ask for repayment of your money, you will loose due to depreciation of the laptop.<br /> 5. Do this very strategically...meaning research laptop models and their ratings before you ask for replacement. Know the models that are going to be out of plan for future sale..know the news ones commming out from DELL...Check out the Clearence inventory...etc.<br /> <br /> Hope this helps. text/html 2007-11-12T12:02:32-05:00 Paul Watton http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/43678/?l=1#518579 Hello, <br /> <br /> Thanks for advice on this site. <br /> I bought a <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> 5150 in May 2004 with 1 year warranty ( I'm in UK). <br /> It developed the motherboard fault September 2007 - I've just rung <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> and mentioned the topics discussed on this site, i.e.<br /> <br /> i) the fault is due to design flaw with the laptop. <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> must take responsibility whether or not the warranty is still valid (I think this is true under the UK consumer rights act)<br /> ii) mentioned the conclusions in Holland and US regarding the 5150<br /> iii) also mentioned that I will be buying laptops/ desktops in the future and emphasized that at the moment I would not consider buying <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> ever again.<br /> <br /> Outcome:<br /> I) I telephoned <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> technical support 10:30am and emphasised I need to talk someone who can resolve this issue. Put through to the manager of the telephone support team. <br /> 2) <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> called be back 40 minutes later to say that they will send a courier out to pick up <br /> the laptop the next day. The fault will be diagnosed and it will be repaired free of charge and returned within a week.<br /> <br /> SO...do contact <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> first before you consider doing the soldering would be my advice...<br /> text/html 2007-09-20T03:33:45-05:00 Vishal Shah http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/43678/?l=1#511072 Hello fellow owners of 5150 ! and especially fellow readers of my post.<br /> <br /> I am glad to hear that couple people followed my advice and got their systems working.<br /> <br /> Another great news for all you suffering fans of DELL...<br /> <br /> Yes! the problem is fixed as of now. And that's excatly what I mean...JUST FOR NOW it's a fix. But do you know if this is going to be a problem again after Sept30, 2007 (your warranty expires)? <br /> <br /> Complain to dell...and get a replacement. Do you research on <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> laptop ratings and specifically ask not to get the models you don't want (based on your research).<br /> <br /> I asked them not to give me 1501 since it has had significant problems. I ultimately got 6400 with 2 GB RAM, 80 GB HDD, DVD burner, 15.4&quot; glare screen, bluetooth, Vista Basic, 128 MB of VRAM...everything upgraded to that of my previous system...<br /> <br /> Good Luck guys..while you have couple days to take advantage of this.<br /> <br /> Please let me know if anybody benefits of this. text/html 2007-09-19T11:59:18-05:00 Leonardo Miliano http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/43678/?l=1#510980 Wow,<br /> <br /> This scares the heck out of me. I've had a <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> Inspiron 5150 for about 2 1/2 years now. I don't move it around much, really, and haven't had the problems that they're notorious for. BUT....it does something strange, where half the time when I boot up XP Home, it stays on the load screen and never loads. I have to reboot the computer and it usually comes up the 2nd time. <br /> <br /> Is this software or hardware related? Anybody else had this problem? text/html 2007-08-16T13:37:37-05:00 Gary Metcalfe http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/43678/?l=1#505709 Same problem had laptop since Jan 2004 problem occured Tues 14/8/07 phoned <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> unable to help, found this site phoned <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> 15/08/07 who informed me that they did not know of any such problem I gave web site address to them, they phoned me 16/08/07 to inform me they will arrange collection and fix laptop free of charge text/html 2007-06-30T23:32:36-05:00 Jim West http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/43678/?l=1#499517 roman kuliyev said: <div class="quote">Hello! I have a <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> Inspirion 1150 and have a problem when power ciutss of after I moved it incertain direction. I confirmed that this is not an overheating problem (checked CPU temperature and fan is working properly). The power cuts off only if I moved it. The fix you descibed for <a target="_blank" href="/action/r/http://www.dell.com/">Dell</a> 5150 would apply to 1150 as well? If you can please attach the pics of what needs to done (like removing the insulation cover) if you still have it. Thanks a lot.</div><br /> <br /> Refer back earlier in the thread. I was able to fix my 1150 (nearly two years ago, as I recall). I am using it for this post, so the fix was apparently long term!<br />