Fixing Neighbours Laptop... new problem... (Dell Inspiron 1545)

UKFX

UKFX

UKFX

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Basically, my Grandfather told a neighbour I was good with computers, but whilst I'll admit I'm better than the average guy, I've run into mega problems now.

Here's a run down:

The lady gave me her Daughter's laptop, an said she wants iTunes installed, but Windows Vista Basic (32 bit) won't let them install anything at all. She also told me to use the power adapter, but it requires me to press F1 or F2 to get it working.

I went home. Been at it since 4:30pm yesterday. Managed to figure out and fix why nothing would ever install, cleaned about 300 worms/viruses off of this never protected system, removed some registry keys causing installation problems allowing me to install Windows updates, installed security software. Installed SP2. Installed more updates and installed iTunes.

Problem solved.

Next problem, which now makes me look like I've broken this system more... well at least it would to those guys.

I was using the laptop when I first got it in, but before I could plug the adapter in, the power light went amber. It shut off. This was before I'd solved any problems. Not to worry, I thought, restarted it an it came up with the message the lady said normally came up, something about the power adapter. As it turns out, this Dell Inspiron 1545 says it doesn't recognise the AC power adapter. Thing is, when I was on earlier on battery, before the charge dropped from 20-something percent to under 5 in a matter of minuters, the wireless adapter worked. Now, with the battery at 4%, it won't turn on. Battery won't charge, wireless adapter won't turn on. Must be battery based? If it is, that is one mean circle of never ending ********.

I checked Device Manager and wireless adapter is working, but if I troubleshoot why Windows wireless networks cannot be found it says turn on wireless capability. So I press Function + F2, nothing. I check Device Manager, still on.

I can't flash the BIOS because it says I need more than 10% battery.

Google'd it, an loads of people have this issue.

Is it me or is this possibly the worst design or bugger up of all time?

If I go into Windows Mobility Centre on Vista Basic, the Wireless Device on/off thing is blanked out.

Really didn't fancy fixing this thing in the first place, so I can thank my Grandad for putting me in this disastrous position. Fix one major pain in the ass, enivitably get one land at ya feet and it makes things apparently worse. I've been busting me knees ALL day with the ethernet plugged into it.

Any suggestions? Or am I ****ed?

Real appreciative of any help. Would also like to know if the low battery issue is a direct cause of the wireless adapter not working. Oh, I've been in power options, tried all of them and I've also set it so the Wireless adapter is on Max Power usage on all presets. No luck.

Peace! :(
 
Which laptop is it? Have you tried reseting CMOS? Are you sure Function + F2 is to do with the wireless adapter? What happens if you take the battery out and run from the mains only?
 
Windows often turns stuff off when battery is low. That would be my first opinion on that.

Regarding the charging issue, are you sure the power supply is correct?
 
It sounds like you have a problem with the center pin on the charger as this is what the laptop uses to detect the charger is there. Also it could be a problem with the little PCB the DC jack sits on, you can get these on auction sites for about £6. Do you know anybody that has a compatible dell charger you could try?
 
No idea about the wireless but the problem where it cannot detect the adaptor type making it unable to charge the battery, I've fixed that problem recently with my nephew's 1545 laptop.

I first tried replacing the DC jack on the power board but the board must have been faulty as it was still unable to detect the adaptor type even though I was using the original charger. I then bought the 1545 DC power jack usb board 48.4AQ03.011 for £25 and it worked perfectly. I dunno where to buy it for £6 as mentioned above but t's currently £23.90 on ebay.

The laptop has to be completely disassembled to get to the DC jack board and I also noticed there are two different types of DC Jack board for the 1545. One has a round DC jack and the other is an octagonal type and I chose the same as the laptop had which was the octagonal type.
 
Can anybody comfirm then that the Wireless adapter will turn itself off (and not back on again, even manually) if the battery is under 4%, even if it is plugged in (but no charging because it cannot).

My Laptop, a recently purchased (Nov 2011) Dell XPS L702X, goes into hibernate or some other form to preserve 5%, but at 10% it's telling me it's going to be shutting off real soon if I don't plug it in.

The battery on that girl's laptop is in such **** shape, it drops charge like anything. Annoying after spending all day yesteday til about 2:30am this morning fixing the original problem and then putting iTunes on, I've unexpected ended up with this error - that they would have most likely ended up with anyway, once the battery had dipped below a certain level.

The laptop doesn't look well looked after so maybe it is the PCB on the DC. Unbelieveable.

Is there any way to force the wifi adapter to work?

I'll try the laptop with no battery and running it off the mains, perhaps then the computer will realise I'll need the performance without it.

I have a Dell XPS L702X charger, but no way in hell am I going to attempt charging that battery, even if it did work.

Oh by the way, I read up on that middle pin on the adapter last night, seems like a very common problem on the Inspiron 1545.

If anyone else has any ideas which doesn't involve disassembling someone elses' laptop, I'd be very grateful.
 
Maybe under the power management section? Might have an option to disable power saving or enabling windows to turn off the wireless under low power.

I wouldn't be willing to dismantle a laptop I was trying to repair for anyone. Get them to do it or take it to someone like a repair shop
 
Yeah before I go ahead with disassembling I always make sure the laptop owner knows it can go wrong and that it might end up broken. I also always take an image of the laptop's HDD before working on fixing virus problems etc just in case anything goes wrong and I can take it back to exactly how it was when I got it. I use Acronis True Image to do it.

My nephew's parents didn't believe it was worth paying the £150+ Dell ask to repair/replace the DC jack board so they were happy for me to try and knew that if it went wrong they were going to bin it anyway. I've fixed a few laptops now so I'm very confident about being able to disassemble and reassemble without breaking anything.
 
Unplugged battery, wireless works, so it was the problem.

However, after plugging the battery back in, wireless now mystically works.

Any ideas why? This is rather confusing.
 
PaulyD said:
Maybe under the power management section? Might have an option to disable power saving or enabling windows to turn off the wireless under low power.

I wouldn't be willing to dismantle a laptop I was trying to repair for anyone. Get them to do it or take it to someone like a repair shop
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Main thing is, she wanted iTunes on it, an no program at all would install. Fixed that, an removed 300-400 potential viruses and worms, an now I know what to say when going over there regarding the power adapter issue, which they new was already present. But yes, I wouldn't dismantle anyones laptop, I don't have the skill for such a thing. I did try power management, it didn't work. Strangely though unplugging the battery allows wireless to work - as expected - but putting the battery back in, has left it so the wireless adapter continues to work, even though the battery is at 4%, like yesterday.

str said:
Yeah before I go ahead with disassembling I always make sure the laptop owner knows it can go wrong and that it might end up broken. I also always take an image of the laptop's HDD before working on fixing virus problems etc just in case anything goes wrong and I can take it back to exactly how it was when I got it. I use Acronis True Image to do it.

My nephew's parents didn't believe it was worth paying the £150+ Dell ask to repair/replace the DC jack board so they were happy for me to try and knew that if it went wrong they were going to bin it anyway. I've fixed a few laptops now so I'm very confident about being able to disassemble and reassemble without breaking anything.
Click to expand...

I'm not, so no chance there muhahaha. I offered to do this for free, but she said no, so regarding the hassle and time it's taken, whatever she offers I'll willingly accept and put towards my new e-reader lol.

Thanks for helping. Anybody know why taking the battery out and putting it back in has fooled the wireless adapter into working? Perhaps it reset something?
 
**** knows, I had a recent event like this. Luckily System Restore fixed it.

Never fix another persons laptop/computer unless you know what your doing. Unless you have insurance.
 
Fixing the installing issue was okay though, trial an error, an I told the woman that I wasn't a boffin, which my Grandad had said. I said "I'll do my best". I never bigged myself up, claiming I was a master and was going to fix everything.

This battery issue, is something they told me about. After fixing the installing problem, clearing a ton of malicious stuff off an installing iTunes, I unexpectedly ended up having to find out why wireless stopped working, which led me back to the battery issue. I'd never of attempted it if I new I couldn't do, but as I said, I didn't expect to run into other problems. Suppose I can thank my Grandfather for throwing me in the deep end lol.

Least it's fixed now. I've rebooted multiple times with the battery in, whilst the charger is plugged in (because it has to be), an I can connect to the wireless network here, every time.

I've written down 4 links, from a mass of websites whereby people complain about the Inspiron 1545 and Dell's AC power adapters. One of which goes into a bit more detail regarding the chip which recognises the AC power adapter.

I done what they asked anyway.

Thanks for helping folks.
 
All done. They were very appreciative. Even asked if I could fix two others with wifi problems. Of course, I'd never attempt to open another persons machine.

Now time to shoot some foos on Battlefield 3.
 
deadite66 said:
This is why i always tell my mother not to volunteer me to fix her friends stuff, you become responsible when things go wrong.
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Precisely. The main thing is it's fixed, except the adapter thing of course. I did say I wasn't all clued up about it. If they have a simple job needs fixing, then I will do it, but if it involves anything like opening the computer then no chance.
 
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