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General discussion

Problem with a Dell Insprion

Aug 5, 2004 3:12AM PDT

Hi, can someone please help me? I have an old Dell, an Inspiron 3200, it worked fine yesterday, but today when i turned it on, nothing happens. I can hear the fan continiously spinning, but i hear no other sound/beeping. The screen just stays pitch black. And no lights on it beep up, unless I plug in the charger.
Can some one please help?

Discussion is locked

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Re: Problem with a Dell Insprion
Aug 5, 2004 3:22AM PDT

"And no lights on it beep up, unless I plug in the charger."

While it sounds dire, if it's out of warranty I disassemble it to wiggle all connections, reseat cpu, memory chips, put it back together and hope for the best.

As you may know, there are not a lot of things you can do with these bricks.

Bob

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Re: Problem with a Dell Insprion
Aug 5, 2004 4:13AM PDT

It could be the hard drive went bad (can fail at any time in theory), or the video card went bad or it may be a software issue or even the Cmos battery.

You may be able to find a local notebook repair to diagnose the issue for about $50 if it is out of warranty. If it is in warranty, of course, call Dell support and sent it in if they can't help you over the phone.

Then, if it is too costly to repair (as this is at least a couple of years old) you may be better off just buying a new notebook as now built in wi-fi, better battery life, and lighter notebooks are out (good ones can be had with discounts in the $1,000-$2,000 price range --and even now with a 15.4" widescreen as compared to yours -- likely 14.1" or smaller.