After replacing keyboard, Dell laptop won't turn on!

[makesense]

Hi everyone, love this website and the help that is given around here.

I recently replaced my keyboard on my Dell xps m140, but it won't start from the power button. Weird part is, I have the Media Edition xps m140 and when I press the Media Home button located on my laptop, the computer turns on, along w/ the harddrive, usb... everything seems to be working fine. It doesn't go to Windows but goes to "Dell Media Direct". I guess this is some extra software I didn't know about. The power button and all the lights signifying power won't turn on.

Here's what I did:
-removed battery
-took out 2 screws behind the battery
-removed the part blocking the keyboard in the front
-removed the keyboard
-replaced keyboard
-put everything back the way it was

Now the computer won't start from the power button and I don't know what the problem is. I screwed everything back in tight enough. Does the way I put the keyboard in have an effect on the power?

Is there a special way to turn on the computer without pressing the power button?

 

[makesense]

anybody? ugh, thanks anyways.

 

[corkyg]

You might get better results with this in the Laptop Forum. I didn't know that the keyboard was user replaceable on the XPS M140. ???

 

[makesense]

good idea, thanks. hmm, I didn't know keyboards might not be user replacable?

 

[robisbell]

well, when did you start having the issues prior to replacing the keyboard? it appears that you may have shorted out key components of the motherboard.
most current laptops have user replaceable parts, including the keyboard.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: robisbell
Most current laptops have user replaceable parts, including the keyboard.

Interesting. I've never had one. My HP dv1000 doesn't - but, my Lenovo T60 does. I'm not sure "Most" is correct. Some - maybe.

 

[robisbell]

well, Toshiba, Dell, HP, etc for the last couple of years have made them accessible. I've had a few of the DV series that were.

 

[makesense]

hi robishell, I've never had issues prior to replacing the keyboard. I have read that if the connector from a keyboard to the motherboard isn't put in properly, the computer might not be able to power. I'll need to open the laptop back up and check on the connector.

it's likely that I didn't put it in properly because everything else works through a special DELL MediaDirect program (I just press an external button on my DELL front panel, and the computer starts, problem is -- I can't get to Windows XP from here). I can still turn on the computer/plug in USBs/put in CD/DVDs and I'm able to hear the HD running.