Dell XPS won't turn on! - Tech Support Forums

jluigi · August 30th, 2008, 09:11 PM

Okay so I own a Dell XPS laptop 1st Gen. I run Windows XP professional and don't have anything hooked up to the computer at all. Since the computer is so old I decided today to take it all apart and clean it out with dust air spray. I removed all the components down to the processor thermal-cooling assembly. Once I got to this part I unscrewed all the mounting screws and removed. When I pulled it the processor came with it!. It looks like the top processor had melted to the cooling assembly. When I removed the processor from the cooling assembly and went to go insert it into the ZIF socket I noticed there were two pins that were bent. I made an attempt at bending them back and then plugged the chip into the socket. I put everything back together and when I went to go start it up all I get is the green lights for the power etc. turn on, the monitor flickers, but nothing actually ever starts up. I can press it repeatedly with the same results. I have tried taking it apart and assembling it all over again and still have the same results.

I would like to note that before I ever opened up the computer to clean it out this problem has happened in the past. There were several times where after turning my computer off and trying to turn it back on again I would receive the same results. If I waited a few it seemed as if the problem fixed itself and I was able to start my computer again. Whatever the problem was it seems like this time it is permanent.

Can anyone please help me diagnose this? Is my laptop done?!

no1_vern · August 30th, 2008, 09:23 PM

Quote:

It looks like the top processor had melted to the cooling assembly.

?? Are you sure that wasnt thermal paste? If you cleaned that off, you will need to replace it with some more thermal paste. In fact, you may have already killed the processor, but hopefully not. The bent pins if you were VERY careful not to break them, probably arent the problem.

When you disassembled it, did you remove the bios battery, then put it back in? Are you sure you plugged each of the wires up to the correct plug in? Did you ensure they were properly plugged in solidly before starting up the computer? Do you have it on AC, or are you trying to start it up on battery power(batteries die you know)?

jluigi · August 30th, 2008, 09:28 PM

I dont know a ton about computer so I am sure it was thermal paste. I assumed things were not right because the processor is locked into the ZIF socket and when I took the cooling assembly off it basically ripped the processor off even while it was locked in the socket because of the paste. I was very careful and did not break the pins. I work on other electronics so I had the equipment to do so. Not sure where the bios battery is. I disassemble everything by the book so I am almost positive I didn't touch that. Could have been by accident though. Made sure all wires were plugged in correctly and tight. Running on AC with the battery in as well. Tried on just AC and just battery too.

I just dont know why it has done it in the past then today it is stuck there. That is why I dont think it is the processor.

sweeper2 · August 30th, 2008, 09:29 PM

yes.. make sure you didn't clean of the "melted" part as you call it... on the processor.. that is thermal paste.. and you need it... if you did take it off.. you need to put some back on... you can pick it up at any PC store... make sure the pins that you bent were bent back correctly and did infact go into the holes and the cpu is seated properly into the socket and not partially in there...

I hate taking apart laptops.. uughh.. the newer ones are a bit easier.... but the older ones can be a pain in the butt...

jluigi · August 30th, 2008, 10:57 PM

ok update...

I did what I usually do when that happens to get it started and pressed the power button repeatedly. Computer finally turned on. The right fan turned on and the rear vents were blowing out very hot air. After a few seconds it shut right off without ever displaying anything. This has also happened before I cleaned it out today. It also seemed as if the keyboard was getting hot. SO I have a question. Is it possible that the reason this older laptop would do this intermittently was because the thermal paste was older or dissipating? I really don't think this is because of what happened to the processor today mainly because I havehad this problem in the past and it would just go away. And that was when I never opened up that section of the laptop. Not it just seems permanent. I am leaning more towards a broken cable or loss connection.

Also the left side of my laptop seems to not be getting any power. The left side fan doesnt turn on, neither does the video display or any accessories plugged into the usb slot

sweeper2 · August 30th, 2008, 11:47 PM

hmm.. not a laptop technician... but sounds like a loose cable... i've had that happen before when i took out a keyboard.. the right side of the keyboard didn't work correctly anymore.. even though it was plugged in correctly etc....

you might try and take it apart again...dble check the pwr connection wires to the pwr button, also get some new thermal paste for your processor , take off the heatsink/fan and clean the bottom of it off real good and the top of the cpu with some alcohol and apply some NEW thermal paste, make sure the cpu is properly seated and the heatsink fan is properly seated on the cpu , make sure your vid card (if you have a seperate card) .. you might just have onboard video (built into the motherboard).

do a good dble check of all the wires... and cables.