BleepingComputer.com: Dell Inspiron 5160 Power Issue

Okies, here's the situation. I have this old dinosaur of a Dell laptop - an Inspiron 5160. I had planned to pass it on to my daughter when I do my new build after the first of the year, as I'll have no more use for it myself. It's primarily a backup computer for me.

I can't get the machine to power on. When I press the power button, the battery light flashes on and off for about five seconds, and that's the only response I can get from the computer. I've tried removing the battery itself and running only on AC power, but when I do, even the battery light doesn't flash. It's like it's a completely dead unit.

What I'm hoping somone here will know is this: Is this simply a case of the battery being shot? This is the original battery that came with the computer, so it's about six or seven years old. I believe that the computer should power on with the battery removed and AC plugged in, but I've seen strange behavior from Dell machines in the past. Or, is my laptop completely fried, and ready for the junk pile? If it is, then I need to rethink letting my daughter have my present desktop when I do my new build - which won't hurt her feelings in the least, I'm sure...

Your battery should have a test button on the bottom of it. When you press it you should get some green lights. If it is dead, and your computer won't power on with it removed, your AC adapter may be bad.

Sounds to me like a dead power supply. You are correct that the computer should still run with the battery out as long as AC power is attached. What color does the battery light flash? If it's orange, this means the battery is not charged and that's why it wouldn't start. Do you know someone else with a similar Dell laptop that you could try out their power cord before you run out and buy a new power supply? Be careful that the wattage and voltage are the same on the unit as you don't want to fry your computer or the power supply.

Edit - Ugh, what he said ^

This post has been edited by BeachBumLI: 09 December 2010 - 10:53 PM

Wow! You guys were fast!

Further investigation has solved the problem - or at least, identified it. Closer inspection of the cord that runs from the AC adaptor to the computer reveals a break in the cord - surrounded by small holes. Holes such as a stupid dog would leave when chewing on things that he shouldn't be chewing on...

BeachBumLI, on 09 December 2010 - 10:52 PM, said:

LOL, don't feel bad, I type so slow that happens to me all the time

MelissaPleases, on 09 December 2010 - 10:54 PM, said:

Yea, that'll do it.

I was searching for the replacement part for your particular model, and oddly enough the Dell support page doesn't list one when you click on it:
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/batteries_sitelet/en/inspiron_main?c=us&l=en&cs=19

I would do a google search for the model number listed on your power supply and see if you have any luck that way. As I said earlier, just be careful of the wattage and voltage on the model you are buying matches up with the one that you currently have so you don't fry out your computer.

I actually found one new on eBay for something like $10.00. Everything seems to match up well...

This post has been edited by MelissaPleases: 10 December 2010 - 11:28 AM

Wow, glad you were able to find one so cheap! Let us know how it turns out.

I definitely will. I'm also ordering a new battery from the same supplier there. Brand new, 3-year warranty, at $40.00. There are less expensive ones there, but that one has the best warranty. I haven't seen a battery for that price, ever...