Dell Inspiron 1546 Support Question
Dell Inspiron 1546 Support Question
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Question posted by coxtleft on October 7th, 2014
Dell Inspiron 1546 Wont Power On
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Answer #1: Posted by freginold on November 21st, 2014 4:54 AM
freginold
Member since:
December 20th, 2011 Points: 23,253,885
Member since:
December 20th, 2011 Points: 23,253,885
When a laptop won't power on, it's often because of one of four things: the battery, the battery charger/AC adapter, the power board/battery charging board (if the laptop has one), or the motherboard/system board. Without being able to troubleshoot the laptop, it's almost impossible to say for sure which of the components is causing the problem.
You can attempt to rule out the battery by attaching the AC adapter and trying to turn the laptop on. If the laptop turns on when on AC power but won't turn on with the battery, then one of two things is happening: either the battery is bad, or the charger is bad and the battery has run down. If the laptop won't turn on with or without the AC adapter plugged in, then the battery is not the problem. If your AC adapter has an LED on it, you can often tell if the adapter isn't working because the LED won't light up. (However, just because the LED does come on doesn't mean the adapter is working as it should.)
If it doesn't seem to be either the charger/adapter or the battery, then you're probably looking at either the power board or motherboard. If you are comfortable taking the laptop apart, you might want to try replacing the power board, which is the board that the charger plugs into. Amazon.com sells power boards (also sometimes called power jack boards) for many laptops for between $15 and $30.
The motherboard is a more expensive option to replace, so a good rule of thumb is to try the less expensive parts first. If it still won't power on, you may have a bad motherboard, in which case it might be cheaper to get a new laptop than have the motherboard repaired or replaced.
You can attempt to rule out the battery by attaching the AC adapter and trying to turn the laptop on. If the laptop turns on when on AC power but won't turn on with the battery, then one of two things is happening: either the battery is bad, or the charger is bad and the battery has run down. If the laptop won't turn on with or without the AC adapter plugged in, then the battery is not the problem. If your AC adapter has an LED on it, you can often tell if the adapter isn't working because the LED won't light up. (However, just because the LED does come on doesn't mean the adapter is working as it should.)
If it doesn't seem to be either the charger/adapter or the battery, then you're probably looking at either the power board or motherboard. If you are comfortable taking the laptop apart, you might want to try replacing the power board, which is the board that the charger plugs into. Amazon.com sells power boards (also sometimes called power jack boards) for many laptops for between $15 and $30.
The motherboard is a more expensive option to replace, so a good rule of thumb is to try the less expensive parts first. If it still won't power on, you may have a bad motherboard, in which case it might be cheaper to get a new laptop than have the motherboard repaired or replaced.
Related Dell Inspiron 1546 Manual Pages
Dell™ Technology Guide - Page 137
..., see Windows Help and Support: click Start or
→ Help and Support. set the power management options, you set alarms for low or critical battery power (laptop computers)
Power (Power Settings, Power Protection Devices, and Batteries)
137 Then click Hibernate. NOTE: Some PC Cards or Express Cards may take a short time to sleep:
• Press the...
Dell™ Technology Guide - Page 138
... on how you may lose data. select to the same operating state it may also use one of inactivity (a time-out). view the available battery power (laptop computers) • Advanced -
To enter standby: • Click Start→ Turn off the display and the hard drive after a predetermined period of the following methods...
Dell™ Technology Guide - Page 272
....
Keyboard status lights indicate status and any problems.
See your Service Manual for laptop computers System messages
Windows Hardware Troubleshooter Dell Diagnostics
Function
The power button light illuminates and blinks or remains solid to indicate different power states, such as power, no power, or standby. Write down the information displayed on the screen and look for...
Dell™ Technology Guide - Page 275
....
Possible motherboard failure or RTC battery low. FOR MORE INFORMATION: To learn more about the meaning of the various keyboard status lights displayed, see "Contacting Dell" on page 337 for assistance).
System Messages for Laptop Computers
Typically laptop computers have keyboard status lights located above the keyboard.
D I S K R E A D F A I L U R E -
Dell™ Technology Guide - Page 304
... Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance. NOTE: On certain systems the power light is green.
• If the power light is off, the computer is either turned off or is plugged into a power strip, ensure that the power strip is not receiving power.
- defective.
Replace power protection devices, power strips, and power extension cables with similar in...
Setup Guide - Page 5
... Cable (Optional 7 Press the Power Button 8 Set Up Microsoft Windows 9 Enable or Disable Wireless (Optional 10 Connect to the Internet (Optional 12
Using Your Inspiron Laptop 16 Right Side Features 16 Left... and Replacing the Battery 34 Software Features 36 Dell Dock 39
Solving Problems 40 Beep Codes 40 Network Problems 41 Power Problems 41 Memory Problems 43 Lockups and Software...
Setup Guide - Page 7
... turns on . WARNING: Do not block, push objects into, or allow easy access to a power source, adequate ventilation, and a level surface to overheat. Restricting the airflow can damage the computer or cause a fire.
Restricting airflow around your Inspiron laptop may result in permanent damage to accumulate in an enclosed space, such as a closed...
Setup Guide - Page 8
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Connect the AC Adapter
Connect the AC adapter to your computer.
6 WARNING: The AC adapter works with electrical outlets worldwide. However, power connectors and power strips vary among countries. Using an incompatible cable or improperly connecting the cable to a power strip or electrical outlet may cause fire or permanent damage to...
Setup Guide - Page 10
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Press the Power Button
8
Setup Guide - Page 11
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Set Up Microsoft Windows
Your Dell computer is recommended that you download and install the latest BIOS and ...CAUTION: Do not interrupt the operating system's setup process. NOTE: For optimal performance of your computer available at support.dell.com.
9 Doing so may take you will take some time to reinstall the operating system. These steps are ...
Setup Guide - Page 14
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Connect to the Internet (Optional)
To connect to the telephone wall connector before you set up your ..., connect the telephone line to the optional external USB modem and to the Internet, you can purchase one from the Dell website at www.dell.com. If an external USB modem or WLAN adapter is not a part of your wired Internet connection, follow the instructions...
Setup Guide - Page 21
... AC adapter to a network or a broadband device if
you buy a security cable, ensure that it works with the security cable slot on your computer to power the computer and charge
the battery.
3
USB 2.0 connectors (2) -
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
1 Security cable slot - Attaches a commercially available security cable to the computer.
Setup Guide - Page 23
The light indicates the following states when the
computer is powered using either the AC adapter or the battery. Using Your Inspiron Laptop
1
Power/Battery indicator light - Indicator light status Computer state(s) Battery charge level
AC adapter Solid white
on off/hibernate
charging 90%
Battery
Solid white
on
>10%
Breathing white
standby
>10%
Solid amber
on/standby
Setup Guide - Page 27
... Guide on a mouse. 3 Touch pad - Provide left -click by tapping the surface. and right-click functions like those on your hard drive or at support.dell.com/manuals.
2 Touch pad buttons (2) - It supports the Scroll and Zoom features. Provides the functionality of a mouse to move the cursor, drag or move selected...
Setup Guide - Page 30
...Utility or the Windows Mobility Center.
For multimedia key, press + the required multimedia key.
Press during POST (Power On Self Test) to launch the Windows Mobility Center. 2. NOTE: Multimedia Key First option is the default ... use the media controls, press the required key.
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
Media Controls
The media control keys are located on the keyboard.
Setup Guide - Page 35
Based on your computer may or may not include a camera. 4 Right digital array microphone (optional) - Using Your Inspiron Laptop 1 Left digital array microphone (optional) - For more information about displays, see the Dell Technology Guide available on selections you made when purchasing your computer, your computer may or may not include a camera. 3 Camera (optional) - Provides...
Setup Guide - Page 36
... To replace the battery: Slide the battery into the battery bay until it over. 2. Using Your Inspiron Laptop
Removing and Replacing the Battery
WARNING: Before you begin any of the battery bay.
Slide the battery ...the AC adapter). This computer should only use batteries from Dell.
To remove the battery: 1.
WARNING: Using an incompatible battery may increase the risk of fire or explosion...
Setup Guide - Page 39
...Using Your Inspiron Laptop
Customizing the Desktop
You can use the power options in your operating system to configure the power settings on...; High performance - To customize your desktop. Saves power on your computer by adapting processor speed to maximize ...features of inactivity.
• Power saver - Offers full performance when you need it and saves power during periods of your desktop:
...
Setup Guide - Page 74
Computer Model
Memory
Dell™ Inspiron™ 1546
Computer Information
Processor types
AMD Turion™ ... and 8 GB
System chipset AMD RS780M/SB700
72 INSPIRON
Basic Specifications
This section provides information that you may vary by region. For more detailed specifications, see the Comprehensive Specifications at support.dell.com/manuals. NOTE: Offerings may need when setting up...
Comprehensive Specifications - Page 1
... Support and select the option to view information about your computer.
NOTE: Offerings may need when setting up, updating drivers for, and upgrading your computer. Dell™ Inspiron™ 1546: Comprehensive Specifications
This document provides information that you may vary by region.
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