D430 fails to POST

Hi,

My laptop is failing to boot. The power light comes on but then it appears to freeze. Nearly always the screen doesn't power on. The capslock key does not toggle the relevant LED - this is what makes me think it is freezing. The power+fn test shows 3 constantly flashing lights. I can't find any reference to this on the Dell website. I get the same flash code when I remove the wifi, additional memory, battery, screen and harddrive. I'm out of ideas now.

All this has got me thinking it's time for a new motherboard. Unfortunately although it's less than a year old, it doesn't have a warranty since I brought it second hand so that's a really expensive option. Is there anything else I should try before I give up on this?

Many thanks in anticipation for any help.

Daniel

 

Actually, it should still have a warranty...the warranty is not tied to the original owner.

Try transferring ownership of the laptop to you, and then look up the service tag to get warranty details.

 

Unfortunately it did have a warranty, but then Dell cancelled it when I transfered ownership into my name. They haven't explained why but I suspect it's because the laptop was sold as having a defective screen. My plan was to buy a replacement screen but that was before I received it and realised pretty quickly that the screen wasn't the problem.

Many thanks for your help.

 

Is it normal for Dell to cancel the remainder of a warranty? I've never heard of Dell pulling anything like this. I bought my D430 second hand too, and Dell has visited me twice to fix the laptop.

I would ask for an explanation and go from there. I suspect that a new MB would be rather pricey though. I had my MB swapped out just a couple weeks ago, but it fixed the problem I was experiencing.

 

I had the exact same problem on my XPS Gen. 2 when I was in London last summer. The problem: one of the RAM modules was dead. The solution: new RAM. Once I replaced the RAM, everything was back to normal. If you don't have spare test RAM laying around, try using just one stick and then the other.

 

No, that is not normal.

 

Thanks for the sugestion, I'd removed the additional memory module however these ultraportables have some RAM soldered to the motherboard so yes it could be the RAM but I can't easily remove those to test it. My soldering skills are a bit rusty such that I think I'd do more harm than good.

 

I contacted Dell over the last week. Apparently the guy who sold the D430 to me brought a job lot of laptops from the Outlet that had been returned from customers for various reasons (could be failed, could be unwanted). They were sold without warranty. Unfortunately the Dell website warranty info isn't updated in this circumstance - a bit confusing really - the information is essentially wrong. Additionally the technician I spoke to at Dell told me that the tests point to a failed motherboard. Are these repairable as opposed to replaceable?

The cost of a motherboard is more than the cost of another fully working secondhand D430 off eBay.

 

If the motherboard really is dead than there is little you can do. It cannot be repaired unless you are one of the D430 design engineers.

If the guy advertised it or even implied a warranty, you might have a case to get your money back. I know that's a long shot though.

How much are they saying the board upgrade or new D430 would cost?

 

In the advert the guy said that it "seemed" to power on but the screen was blank. What the definition of power on is I'm not sure. I took that to include POST so was surprised when it didn't. I'm going to persue getting a refund from the seller, have taken some steps with Paypal already but have yet to try credit card company or small claims court.

The cost of a new motherboard was just shy of £300 including an onsite visit but the part is only guaranteed for 90 days.