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Resolved Question

Dell Studio 1735 pwr light comes on 1/2 second then out

Aug 15, 2011 11:20AM PDT

I have a Dell Studio 1735 with an interesting problem. When the power cable is plugged into the pwr jack the blue pwr light comes on for about 1/2 second and then goes out. I can do this repeatedly with the same results. I know that pwr connectors on laptops are more than just a small issue but, I've never seen one behave like this. Before I break this one down and replace the jack HAS ANYONE SEEN THIIS BEFORE? I have a "feeling" that there is much more going on. The battery will not charge either...understandable. If I remove the battery same results.

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alex11553 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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PS. I skipped a quick item.
Aug 16, 2011 8:55AM PDT

Perform the generic reset too. Power off, remove ac, battery, press hold the power button for 60 seconds, release, apply AC and re-test.

The long version of this is in the top of the CNET Laptop Troubleshooting forum.

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Problem Solved Sort Of...
Aug 21, 2011 12:31PM PDT

This laptop had several different issues: Dead Battery, horribly corrupted OS and last but not least the Pwr Button doesn't work. I replaced the main battery which allowed me to reload the factory default image on the HD. Replaced the CMOS Battery while I had the bottom open. As for the Pwr Button; I can only find used ones. They come in a set of two, one for each hinge; one PWR and one WIFI. The Laptop can be turned on by depressing the Media Center Button. Thanks to everyone especially Bob who hung in the through the mess.

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Answer
Not that new an issue.
Aug 15, 2011 11:39AM PDT

I've seen this caused by a long list of things from a dropped machine to failed drives to old CMOS batteries. A longer story or history may help.
Bob

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Unclear Response
Aug 15, 2011 3:00PM PDT

I've been repairing desktop pc's for over twenty years and a few laptops along the way. I don't understand how cmos batteries could keep the main battery from recharging. This laptop was given to me in exchange for a good desktop, I know that is was never dropped. It was left plugged in to the AC for about five months without being turned on. So a trickle charge to the main battery. Maybe I'm back to the power jack again or the internal voltage regulator. I do wnat to thank you for the comment.

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They don't stop the battery from charging.
Aug 15, 2011 3:05PM PDT

But they can stop machines from coming on or coming on and going right off.

My background is electronics design and along the way making cards that go into PCs so repair is second nature. But I need more clues than the above. I've seen the symptoms but the causes are far too many to write here.

About batteries. How old? These are 300 cycle things so any battery past a year can be suspect if the owner used it daily on battery and charged it at night. That's just one scenario but without age and story I can't narrow it down.
Bob

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About the battery
Aug 15, 2011 3:14PM PDT

The Laptop should turn on if the main battery is ejected...right? The first thing that I did was remove the battery and attempt to start it using the C Adapter. Same problem... won't start power light comes on about 1/2 second. I don't know if Dell designs their laptops so the main battery has to stay in to operate.

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Age
Aug 15, 2011 3:17PM PDT

The laptop is about three years old and also the battery.

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That helps a little.
Aug 16, 2011 8:53AM PDT

At that age it could be the other age issue. This is a 17 inch laptop and if the owner was a student the strain of travel and flex of the boards means we get to swap the motherboard for a test. If the board swap fails (which it rarely does) then you look at the cables and such coming off the mainboard for breaks or tears.

I already noted the CMOS Battery so no need to repeat that.

And so far no Dell requires the big battery to power up and run.
Bob

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Power issue
Aug 16, 2011 1:29PM PDT

It was owned by a 80 year old that treated it like gold. It was transported in a well padded case. I will try the generic hard reset.

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Power to the laptop
Aug 16, 2011 1:52PM PDT

Bob and all, thanks for the additional info. I did the BIG reset: no AC, NO battery ...NO results. Today I plugged in the power adaptor and I got a flashing light (one white followed by 5 orange) at the power adapter plug. Also I noted that when I depress the power push button it lights up for about 10-15 sec and then goes out. Otherwise all is dead. It still won't do anything when I pop the battery. I understand, through other research, that the flash code indicates a dead main battery...I ordered one. Now, I do think that the pwr jack is functioning. If any of you have more ideas about what's going on; I'm ready to listen. Thanks!

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I would not order a battery.
Aug 17, 2011 3:23AM PDT

Since no model requires a battery to start, this sounds like you are going to be very cross when you find this out.

It's too likely it's the mainboard.
Bob

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Battery Ordered
Aug 17, 2011 4:16AM PDT

I did order a battery. About 1:30 this morning I actually got the thing to boot up on AC. I discovered a huge number of specific problems; the first one is the Battery is Dead and the boot hangs every time telling me about that. I just hit F1 and got into Vista...YUK! Now the problem is I would like to load the factory default settings and get a fresh start. I tried to do F8 and CNTL F11 but neither work and I can't get into the BIOS until the new battery arrives; just because that's the way Dell set it up. I popped out the CMOS battery and there is no jumper or short point to reset the BIOS so now I'm trying to solve those issues.

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When there is no bios reset.
Aug 17, 2011 4:21AM PDT

We remove the battery(s) then go to lunch.

Your story is now sounding like the old BAD CAPS symptom. The result is the same though (replace motherboard.)
Bob

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When there is no bios reset Back
Aug 17, 2011 7:47AM PDT

Bob, Sounds like you and I have been in the business for a very long time. For me, 45+ years as an EE; analog-mixed signal circuit designer; Feild Engineer and then into senior management. I have only had one system that I couldn't repair from mainframes to laptops and it (another Dell) caught on fire. I just can't win them all Wink If I have to do a MOBO this thing may go on the shelf for a while. Thanks for the help! Bill

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(NT) You got me beat by about 10 years.
Aug 17, 2011 7:50AM PDT
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PC Problems need to Solve
Dec 11, 2012 3:02PM PST

Please Sir, am Bash a computer technician from Ghana....please i have hp compaq desktop with the problem......when i press the power bottum, it shows red flashing lights and four short beeps and won't power up.....also i have dell inspiron 5100 when i press the power buttom, the lights comes on and goes off in 2 seconds..........so please Sir, i will be very grateful if you could come to my aid and help me out......Thank You...