Dead Inspiron 2650

[kimballllll]

New member - cant find answers to what would appear to be an old question.
I'll be as succinct as I can:
Running XP Home, 256 MB RAM
Wife turned off computer with switch while it was downloading Win XP SP-2.
Next day, No post. Light will turn on, Fan runs for 3 secs. No beep, no post.
Basically dead, but there is power. Fan will come on after awhile if you leave it on.
Took it to tech guy, with my assumption it was the bios since it wouldnt even get to it. We tried everything. Removed/replaced all components to try and get it to post. Swapped DIMMs from A to B incase A was bad. F2, F10, F12, Dell support, you name it. Finally resigned to get a new used motherboard. Swapped it out and I have the exact same issue. Nothing has changed. Either I got another bad motherboard (that was assured working), or both my DIMMS are bad and it wont post with bad memory. Pretty sure we tested the DIMMS on another 2650, but am going to try that again to make sure. Just cant get past this. I have read of others with very similar issues, but have not seen any solutions.
Thoughts to try?
Cheers.

[ArcticFox]

Try removing the hard drive completely and see if it will boot into the BIOS or something.

[no1_vern]

Hi, welcome to TechIMO!

Seems to indicate a power problem, YOu said you changed parts in and out was one of them the power supply? Just because you have power doesnt mean it is the correct voltage/amps.

Also I had a problem like this it turned out to be the power switch.

[RicheemxX]

Sounds to me more like a grounding issue or possibly a stuck on/off switch. You might also double check all your cables to make sure none of them have become loose. Just doing a "hard" shutdown will not have any affect on your bios therefore there would be no reason to suspect that. Nor should there be any reason to suspect a fried motherboard unless there was some power spike or other issue.

[kimballllll]

Thanks for your quick responses.
Yes, already tried the booting with no hard drive.
Nothing. Still powers up - green lights, with no beep, fan spins for 3 sec. then sits.
I may hear floppy or CD 'clicking' but no further results. No boot into BIOS. No external monitor comes on if I hook one up either.

Did not change the power supply. Would it even start the lights and spin the fan with power supply issues?

Not a stuck switch. I have to power it off after turning it on. No loose cables. All taken apart and reseated. I wouldnt think hard shutdown would have any effect. Just trying to cover all the bases. Not aware of a spike, also plugged into a surge protecter.

[ArcticFox]

Did you try booting with just the battery and without it plugged into the wall?

[kimballllll]

Both cases.

[manaf]

I have exactly same problem, i have inspiron 2650. I don't know what exactly is the case of the problem, CAll me at 610-348-2886, if you got the solution.

[newtech31]

Did anyone figure out what is causing this problem? I have an inspiron 2650 with this problem also.

[catyaknoodles]

I count 4 on this thread with exact same issue. Inspiron 2650 will not boot or show any bios indications. Power led lights, fan spins for a couple of seconds, drives stir, all USB ports have power - all appears well but no boot. Checked hard drive - no problems - tried another hard drive with same results. Looks like a CMOS battery problem or a stuck standby switch that is indicating that laptop is closed but cannot find any info on where CMOS battery is from Dell or any other tech site, nor any info on switch that puts laptop into standby or hibernate mode. If anyone has solved this problem or knows where the CMOS and/or lid standby switch is - please let me know.

[mrgeek1329]

I would take the battery and power cord out of the laptop. Hold the power button down for 30 second. This will reset the motherboard on your laptop.

[mrgeek1329]

I would take the battery and power cord out of the laptop. Hold the power button down for 30 second. This will reset the motherboard on your laptop.

[Snoopo]

Had that problem with my friend's 2650. Ctrl+Alt+Del managed to boot the system.
As mentionned before, it could be the MB battery...
That is just one suggestion.
Good luck

[kuwacs]

I have the same problem...

Has anyone else figured out an answer to it??


Its been a while...anyone?

[brockpinder]

I had the exact same issue with a Inspiron 700m and searched everwhere.. Changed the inverter board etc..

It's a Bad Standby switch. Happen to read this post when I had the machine apart. Fan spun, no beeps, white LCD... Nothing. Could not get to BIOS.

I held the Standby Switch down as if it were in a docking station and powered up the Laptop and bang. Got to BIOS on an external monitor.

At least I know the machine is not bad and what the issue is now.

Thanks,
Brock

[manaf]

Hi All,
With help and mercy of God I believe i found the issue with the dead no post dell inspiron 2650 laptop problem. I an going to share that with you with one request if it works for you just pray for my health.

OK now here what i did and my laptop is up and running, just take out the DIMM A memory module (the one that is inside the laptop) not the one that is on the back of the laptop (DIMM B).
Just that memory out from DIMM A memroy slot and run your machine it should work fine.
Now if you dont know how to get to DIMM A memory slot here is the step by step guide to get to it on dell's website
Documentation

Once again I wish it work you as well.
Good luck.
Regards,
Imran.

[jiku]

Manaf,

I followed your instruction, and the computer is back to life!

Thanks a million! I don't know if you still need a prayer on your health... I'll do it anyway.

Thanks,
John

[da_schmitta]

i recently got a dell inspiron 2650 i go to plug it in and the power and charge lights blink once then goe off and thats it cant get nothing to happen.

[osprey4]

Hi da schmitta,

Welcome to TechIMO.

See if this helps you diagnose the problem: Dell Portable Post Codes

[LoriMWHB]

manaf
Your answer did the trick. Had the same exact problem as everyone else here. I'm not sure why it worked. The problem began after simply checking the seating and amount of ram on each chip. Removing the one under the keyboard fired the system right back into life. Sure hope prayers are no longer needed, but you certainly deserve them and am sending them your way. Thank you.