I need help. I guess my laptop (Dell Inspiron 1150) is having powering problems
I love my Dell, but have many problems with the AC adapter few months ago, unfortunately, I didn't know you must not move the computer with the power lead plugged in, and I suppose this movement damage the connection to the system board, because I can't run the computer normally, only run on windows failure mode. I send the laptop with a technician (here in Mexico) because the machine is out of Dell's warranty, and he cannot find the problem, he checks the jack, the ac adapter. the system. viruses, etc.

I read your comments, and hope in my case the final solution will not be involve with motherboard replacement, but if is the way to fix the problem, I will do.
I hope you can help me. Thanks in advance

Can you further explain the problem you're having? Are you saying you can only boot into Windows safe mode?

Like everyone else I have had the power plug problem. I replace the DC Plug, powered up and get 10 flashing yellow (battery light) and thats it. My question is a two part one.
1. The 10 flashing yellows, is that a code for the battery being completely dead?
2. Will the 1150 power on without the battery inserted in the laptop? (AC only) I looked all over the internet and could not find the answer to this question, I would appreciate a answer please if possible. Anyway this Inspiron 1150 will not power on with the battery out and AC adapter pluged in. Does this indicate I have more problems? I don't want to pay out the $$ for a battery if there are more problems. Thanks for your help..

yuye04 sandra said:

If you have any files, back them up on a flash drive or external hard drive if possible so you don't lose your important files. Following this, re-install Windows.

I have come across this problem on several Del laptops, the one today a Latitude D600.
There is a Central Control PCB containing Power, Volume Up/Down and Mute bottons.
This PCB has a Dual in-line plug which mates into a socket on the motherboard.
The socket has 20 surface-mount solder tags along one side.
These tags become detatched although they look OK, and need re-soldering.
You need a jewellers eye glass or loupes, a very fine solder tip (best to use heat controlled 60 watt iron, eg. Weller), fine gauge (22 SWG) solder and a steady hand, take care not to bridge adjacent tags.
First though don't forget to disconnect AC power and battery.
Good luck.
Clive.

ABE1 Meyers said:

As to #1 I don't know that there is a code involved, but the battery is dead.
As to #2 the laptop WILL start and run from just the adapter if it is the correct adapter for the laptop.
Dell has a system that checks what adapter is plugged into the connector. If the power rating isn't high enough, it will display that the adapter is incorrect.
As to the unit not powering on, you should re-look at the connections for the adapter connector to include the center pin. that's the one that will cause errors because the trace is so small.

Exact same problem. I have 1150 Dell laptop. When I connect the AC adapter to the DC jack, sometimes it charges the battery and some times and it wont. When I checked the DC jack I found that it was too loose. I removed the DC jack and ordered a new DC jack. In the mean time I was using my laptop using my charged battery (usually it holds for 1 hr) and the charge went to zero and shuts down. Today I received the DC jack and I connected to the mother board. When I insert the AC adapter to the Jack, 2 LEDs flashes for a second (power and battery LED). When I press the power button, the battery LED flashes once or twice in orange color and then nothing happens. When I remove the battery then the 2 LEDs (power and battery) flashes once in every 10 seconds and nothing happens. I am sure that I connected the DC jack properly as mentioned in this forum. What am I missing ?

Senthil Pad said:

It is very easy to miss a bad connection to the center pin as I said before. You might try connecting to an external monitor and see if the thing works then. If so, a ground wire connection is loose. BTW there are 6 ground connections to the jack and why a broken ground to the video jack would cause this kind of error only Dell can answer.

This is a very good forum. Thanks everyone, especially laptop willie. I have an 1150 with a power problem. The symptom is that my ability to charge the battery is sporadic. Sometimes you can jiggle the plug in the power jack to make it charge and sometimes you cannot. Also, if the computer gets hot, then typically it will switch from AC charging mode to battery mode and you have to turn off the computer to get it to start charging again. After reading the board I have done the following things. I connected an external monitor which had no effect. I connected a wire between the outer cylindrical metal of the plug with the external video connector shield. This had no effect. I soldered a small wire between the center pin contact and the PL24 contact point as suggested. Also I soldered a wire between one of the two central contact points from the jack to one of the four ground contacts as suggested by Bruno, I believe. After this soldering it appears as if the charging is a little more robust than before. However, when the computer gets hot, the computer will still switch to battery mode with the AC adapter still plugged in. I suspect that there is some temperature dependent trace or connection which is bad, but I don't know which is the most likely place for the failure. I have not purchased a new jack and replaced it. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

chris Swanson said:
Chris,
There is one other thing that affects all laptops. That is air flow. It sounds as if your system need the CPU heat exchanger cleaned. The 1150 and 5150 are bad about picking dust bunnies and chocking the air flow that is suppose to cool the CPU. If you have taken apart the system and repaired the adaptor connector, then you are able to get to this area very easily. It is not enough to clean the fan. You must clean the grill fins as well. When you replace the heat-exchanger, be sure to use a small amount of heat sync compound on the CPU. I also suggest cutting a coffee filter to cover the air intake on the bottom side of the laptop and taping it over the intake. This will collect the dust that would normally get sucked into the laptop and clog the exchanger. (No extra charge for this tip)

Laptop Willie said:

Thanks for the tip. I have recently (2 months ago) replaced the cooling unit because the fan bearing was rattling. I noticed that the copper grill was very clean when I removed it to get to the motherboard. I suppose that the connection between the CPU and the heat exchanger unit might be bad, although I did use grease. I can try to regrease it. I noticed that a couple of other posts (e.g. Rueben Gutierrez on Feb 17th) suggested heat related issues. So I thought maybe there might be a known heat related crack or solder problem with the power jack or circuit. I am still not absolutely sure it is heat since the computer goes to sleep if I leave it alone for a while, which should cool things down. But the charging won't start up again until it is fully powered down (I think!).

In the last days,I buy a table computer online,but I operate it not for a long time,its screen turn black,whatever measure I take,the computer can't operate properly,so i call the after-sale of Dell,but at finally somthing wrong with my computer can't be solved,so now I never trust the product quality of Dell
All kinds of mobile phone are exhibited on http://www.nowsupplier,you may choose to buy any item.

Excuse the double post.

milly dou said:
Milly,
While I understand you frustration with the Dell desktop computer, this part of this web site, is for Portable hardware such as laptops. Trade your Dell in on a good HP.

Bill K said:

Hi Bill,

We have exactly what you are looking for at http://www.notebookpowerjacks.com
A full pinout of the Dell 9-Pin DC Power Jack. Please let me know if you need any other help!