Dell Inspiron 5160 Support Question
Dell Inspiron 5160 Support Question
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Question posted by auersh on September 29th, 2014
Dell Inspiron 5160 Wont Turn On Lights Blink
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Current Answers
Answer #1: Posted by freginold on November 20th, 2014 10:12 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 5160 Manual Pages
Owner's Manual - Page 2
... indicates either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. To access the help file, see the Dell Inspiron Help file. Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, Inspiron, AccessDirect, Dell Precision, Dell TravelLite, Dimension, OptiPlex, Latitude, TrueMobile, DellNet, PowerApp, PowerEdge, PowerConnect, PowerVault, and Axim are not applicable. Notes, Notices, and...
Owner's Manual - Page 10
... of your computer.
• Use the Service Tag to clean my computer
• Service Tag and Express Service Code • Microsoft Windows License Label
The Dell Inspiron Help File 1 Click the Start button and click Help and Support. 2 Click User and system guides and click User's guides. 3 Click...
Owner's Manual - Page 13
... display, see page 10.
A Tour of Your Computer
Front View
Dell™ AccessDirect™ button
display latch
power button
touch pad touch pad buttons
display
keyboard status lights
keyboard
speaker
speaker device status lights
D I S P L A Y -
Keeps the display closed. To access the help file, see "Using the Display" in the Dell Inspiron Help file. D I S P L A Y L A T C H -
Owner's Manual - Page 14
... Windows® logo key. To adjust the volume of Your Computer
S P E A K E R S -
Turns on when the scroll lock function is enabled. K E Y B O A R D -
For information on supported...page 38.
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
KEYBOARD STATUS LIGHTS
The green lights located above the keyboard indicate the following:
9
Turns on when the numeric keypad is enabled. A
Turns on when Caps...
Owner's Manual - Page 15
..., see page 10. NOTICE: To avoid losing data, turn on the computer. Blinks to an electrical outlet, the - See page 40 for more information. For more information.
Flashing orange: The battery charge is flashing. P O W E R B U T T O N -
light operates as follows:
If the computer is turned off in the Dell Inspiron Help file. TO U C H P A D B U T T O N S - A Tour of data, never...
Owner's Manual - Page 16
...To access the help file, see "Using PC Cards" in the Dell Inspiron Help file. You can reprogram the button to the connector. Accommodates ...launch a frequently used program, such as a modem or network adapter. www.dell.com | support.dell.com
If the computer stops responding, press and hold the power button until the computer turns off completely (which may take several seconds). O P T I C ...
Owner's Manual - Page 20
... your computer.
To access the help file, see "Using the Display" in the Dell Inspiron Help file.
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
USB CONNECTORS
Connects USB devices, such as some digital video cameras. VIDEO CONNECTOR
Connects an external monitor. The lights next to attach devices supporting IEEE 1394 high-speed transfer rates, such as...
Owner's Manual - Page 27
.... For more information. Using a Battery
Battery Performance
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions located in the
Dell Inspiron Help file for more information about the Dell warranty for your computer, see page 10. You can also set power management options to a CD or DVD.
Owner's Manual - Page 28
...°F). For more information about low-battery alarms, see "Power Management" in the Dell Inspiron Help file.
For more information about the Power Meter tab, see "Power Management" in...help , see page 10. See "Battery Disposal" in approximately 3 hours with the computer turned off. Charging the Battery
NOTE: The AC adapter charges a completely discharged battery in the ...
Owner's Manual - Page 31
..., and then click RecordNow Help or RecordNow Tutorial.
To access the help file, see the Dell™ Inspiron™ Help file. This section applies only to and might not read DVD-RAM media. ... CDs and DVDs
NOTE: Ensure that you follow all five formats. The DVD-writable drives installed in Dell™ computers can write to copy.
3 Click Exact Copy. Using CDs, DVDs, and other purposes...
Owner's Manual - Page 39
... dialog box (if the computer is connected to activate a different power management mode using the Advanced tab in the Power Options Properties window in the Dell Inspiron Help file for more information. Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad
39 Power Management
Activates a power management mode. To access the help file, see page...
Owner's Manual - Page 57
... I N D O W S R E C O G N I Z E S T H E D R I S K - See the Dell Inspiron Help file (see page 10). ENSURE THAT THE CD IS SNAPPED ONTO THE SPINDLE
CHECK THE CABLE CONNECTIONS
Solving Problems
57
Drive Problems
CAUTION: Before ...8226; Insert a bootable floppy disk and restart the computer.
The Dell Diagnostics obtains configuration information for all devices attached to customize the ...
Owner's Manual - Page 58
...: Because of data when writing. Try closing all DVD drives. See the Dell Inspiron Help file (see page 11). See the help files for your CD or DVD creation software.
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
CHECK FOR HARDWARE INCOMPATIBILITIES
RUN THE DELL DIAGNOSTICS (SEE PAGE 55)
Optical drive problems
NOTE: High-speed optical drive...
Owner's Manual - Page 62
... and verify that the numbers, capitals, and scroll lock lights on the keyboard blink during the boot routine. 3 From the Windows desktop, ... 1 minute, and turn it for damage, and firmly reconnect the cable.
Keyboard Problems
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in MS-DOS® mode or when running the Dell Diagnostics or the system...
Owner's Manual - Page 63
...THE INTEGRATED KEYBOARD -
1 Shut down the computer. 2 Disconnect the external keyboard. 3 Turn on the computer. 4 From the Windows desktop, click the Start button, point to ...on the external keyboard and verify that the numbers lock light is not lit. Unexpected Characters
D I S A B L E T H E N U M E R I C K E Y P A D - Contact Dell (see page 101). Lockups and Software Problems
CAUTION: Before...
Owner's Manual - Page 67
... C H E C K T H E P C C A R D - Ensure that the PC Card is lit or blinking, the computer has power. P R O V I D E D B Y D E L L - C H E C K T H E P O W E R L I G H T - If the power light is blinking, the computer is listed. C H E C K T H E B A T T E R Y S T A T U S L I G H T -
NOTE: See the Dell Inspiron Help file for information on the computer. C H A R G E T H E B A T T E R Y - PC...
Owner's Manual - Page 68
...: Before you should always use the 130-W AC adapter; If the AC adapter has a light, ensure that the computer turns on. Bypass power protection devices, power strips, and the extension cable to receive a WARNING message. See the Dell Inspiron Help file or search for optimum system performance, you begin any of the procedures in...
Owner's Manual - Page 71
... cable, disconnect it for interference. REINSTALL THE AUDIO DRIVER (SEE PAGE 74)
RUN THE DELL DIAGNOSTICS (SEE PAGE 55)
No sound from headphones
C H E C K T H E H E A D P H O N E C A B L E C O N N E C T I N D O W S V O L U M E C O N T R O L -
Turn off nearby fans, fluorescent lights, or halogen lamps to the computer. C H E C K T H E M O U S E C A B L E - Ensure that the sound is securely...
Owner's Manual - Page 72
...using a battery to the display.
72
Solving Problems www.dell.com | support.dell.com
TO VERIFY THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE MOUSE, CHECK THE... S T T H E E L E C T R I E S - If the AC adapter has a light, ensure that the light is blank
NOTE: If you are using the AC adapter, and turn on page 11. Connect the computer to your computer, the battery charge may be depleted. Check the AC...
Owner's Manual - Page 73
...E B R I O N -
Press and the up- If your computer and connect an external monitor to the computer. 2 Turn on the computer and the monitor and adjust the monitor brightness and contrast controls.
Each device has its driver recognizes.
E L I M ... monitor.
Contact Dell (see page 60. All devices require a driver program. Turn off nearby fans, fluorescent lights, halogen lamps,...
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