Imwoody
member
Reged: 01/26/05
Posts: 101
Loc: Middle Tennessee
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That was my first mistake. (Lesson learned). I purchased a Dell Inspirion 600m off craigslist. I wanted to get something to send to my mom out of state so she could see the new grandkids and stuff. Didn't have alot of money so thought I would get her something used. It didn't have to be top of the line since she would only be using it for email and light web use. I of course asked if there were any problems or known issues and was assured all was working fine. I tried the computer at the local McD's and all worked well. Battery had almost a full charge. Internet worked etc. I took the computer home erased some pics left on there, changing the appearance, and was just starting "the disk cleanup". Erasing the temp files and those options that show what files can be erased. The computer shut off when the battery was low even though it was plugged in (with a replacement charger I noticed). It will no longer power on at all. The green light shows on the charger but nothing on the laptop. I tried taking the battery out and just running on cord, still nothing. Running windows xp. Does anyone have any advice (besides never buying on craigslist) or am I just stuck with a junker. By the way tried emailing and calling the guy back back but no response. Surprise. That just confirms to me he knew about the problem.  I guess because I would never sell something that I knew was broken I am also bewildered by someone that would just to make a few bucks. Guess I am just naive. 
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bozodog
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/19/07
Posts: 9938
Loc: SW Michigan
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I would guess it's the batteries, first. AND some Dells have a proprietary charger. You can also have a look at the power connection/plug. It's always been an Achilles heel for laptops. (why do they make them so small and fragile?)
I don't think you bought a brick, because it did function in the beginning. We've had great luck with purchases on CraigsList. Even our darling Morgan came as a freebee from there. 
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Governments don’t bear the cost of anything; their citizens do.
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jdevlin
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/09/02
Posts: 6147
Loc: Welland Ont. Canada
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The green light on the charger is on, but is the light on the laptop on when the charger is plugged in? Could be a charger issue and the batteries went dead.
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Please do not Private Message with questions that can be answered in a Forum. I will not respond.
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Imwoody
member
Reged: 01/26/05
Posts: 101
Loc: Middle Tennessee
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The green light on the charger is on but no lights on the laptop are on. When I bought it the battery's were charged because it worked for an hour without being plugged in. Now there is nothing. I have tried wiggling the cord were it connects to the laptop with no luck.
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Spackelman
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/27/06
Posts: 4159
Loc: Exit 117, Garden State Parkway...
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If you have a volt meter, you can check to the contacts for voltage and narrow the down the problem.
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Imwoody
member
Reged: 01/26/05
Posts: 101
Loc: Middle Tennessee
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My husband had a multi meter in the garage. Not sure how to use it though. 
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saugen48
Retired
Reged: 12/09/03
Posts: 1806
Loc: Halifax, Canada.
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You can also try wiggling the powerjack where it enters the laptop (very gently) to see if it wiggles quite a bit. When wiggling, see if the charging light on the laptop comes on. If there is no play with the jack, do not try and force it and make it loose
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Acer 7720 Vista Ult SP2
Acer Aspire 5517 Win7
Tosh Sat A70 XPSP3(fixed..found cheap LCD)
IBM Thinkpad 390 Win2000Pro SP4
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Imwoody
member
Reged: 01/26/05
Posts: 101
Loc: Middle Tennessee
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Quote:
The green light on the charger is on but no lights on the laptop are on. When I bought it the battery's were charged because it worked for an hour without being plugged in. Now there is nothing. I have tried wiggling the cord were it connects to the laptop with no luck.
Also looking on the bottom of laptop it says PA10 or PA12 power supply and the replacement one says PA12 Family. There is a crack next to the plug in on the back of laptop but the plug fits tight.
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howardgillis
Handyman
Reged: 07/22/07
Posts: 1146
Loc: Fort Mill, S.C.
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I bought a Compaq Presario for travel to Asia. I've travelled 4 times in 10 years so I figured my battery would not last, if I only used it maybe once every 2 years.
So, I looked into replacement cost of batteries. Mine are around $150.
Yours may, or may not, be expensive, if that turns out to be your problem.
I have done alot of buying and selling on Craigslist. You got about what you would have gotten if you answered an ad in the local paper, a visual look and a power up before buying.
That's more than you'd get buying on Ebay and laptops sell like crazy on Ebay.
We have a computer shop that gives a free diagnosis. My desktop is at the shop now, being examined.
Call around and maybe find someone that gives a free diagnosis to pinpoint the problem.....battery or power supply or other.
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Imwoody
member
Reged: 01/26/05
Posts: 101
Loc: Middle Tennessee
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Thanks for all the suggestions as to what it could be. Because I don't want to invest any more money in it by taking it in for service I advertised it back on Craigslist for parts. Someone called and said they want it. I'm sure it can be fixed, maybe easily, if you know what your doing. I don't. I have also bought other things and sold things on CL with good results. I think for someone like me that can't fix them I better just save up longer till I can afford a new one. (By the way Morgan is adorable.)
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