Dell 600m Laptop won't boot up

[masterc]

I have a Dell 600 m laptop which is 3 months out of warantee.
It was running fine until it started to randomly shut down recently.
I called Dell Support, theywent through some diagnostics with me and think the problem is with the mobo. it needs to be replaced.
Cost $700... rip off
I've been trying to trouble shoot the problem myself. I have noticed if I apply slight pressure on the palm rest area just below the mouse pad it runs fine. Once I release the pressure it turns off right away. I can now only get it to start up if I apply slight pressure in that area????
The battery is just below this spot.
Same problems with or with out battery installed, and running on battery or AC.

Is anyone familiar with this sort of thing? Could it just be a loose contact?
I'm a bit leary to open up the laptop, but I'm willing to try a few things with some useful advice...
thanks

 

[inspiron8200guy]

This sounds like a problem with the batery charger board. I'm not too framilliar wiht a 700m but it could be a number of things. What was going on when this started happening.

 

[masterc]

Originally posted by: inspiron8200guy
This sounds like a problem with the batery charger board. I'm not too framilliar wiht a 700m but it could be a number of things. What was going on when this started happening.

I was just using the laptop e-mail and stuff, and it shutdown. It was running on AC, with surge bar...

 

[LiLithTecH]

The area directly below the TouchPad is in area of the MEMORY slots.

The memory slots themselves are wave-soldered to the board and sometimes they
can open after repeated heating and cooling. You may want to remove one module
at a time to check to see if that is an issue.

Also, you can try a good 10X lupe to look for loose memory slot connections (the pins soldered to the mainboard).

I have see this on several occassions with the Dell Inspirions (M versions).

 

[masterc]

Originally posted by: LiLithTecH
The area directly below the TouchPad is in area of the MEMORY slots.

The memory slots themselves are wave-soldered to the board and sometimes they
can open after repeated heating and cooling. You may want to remove one module
at a time to check to see if that is an issue.

Also, you can try a good 10X lupe to look for loose memory slot connections (the pins soldered to the mainboard).

I have see this on several occassions with the Dell Inspirions (M versions).

So if I tred to swap out the mem modules one at at time, I may find out which one has a bad soldered connection?

Also, could expain what you meant by "you can try a good 10X lupe to look for loose memory slot connections (the pins soldered to the mainboard). "

Thanks...

 

[FlyingPenguin]

Keep in mind the most likely culprit is a hairline crack in the motherboard. No fix for that.

 

[LiLithTecH]

Originally posted by: masterc

So if I tred to swap out the mem modules one at at time, I may find out which one has a bad soldered connection?

Also, could expain what you meant by "you can try a good 10X lupe to look for loose memory slot connections (the pins soldered to the mainboard). "

Thanks...

YES to your first question.

With a 10X Lupe you can inspect the SOLDER JOINTS (called legs) on the Memory sockets, looking for poor solder joints (dull\not shiny or discolored) or loose connections (use a long pin and gently run past socket legs).

NOTE: remember to remove power sources (Battery & AC) before using pin.

It is unlikely a hairline crack in the motherboard.