[SOLVED] Dell Inspiron 15R (5537) - Not turning on/beeping noises

[SteveTheMiner]

Today, I decided to turn on my old Dell laptop (Inspiron 15R 5537) to grab some data off it, but I was unable to get it to post. This laptop has been sitting without use for months now. After turning it on and off a few times, I could hear beeping noises from the computer. Beeps were 1..1..1..1. Although the power light was on, the screen stayed black and the keyboard was not usable (tested using caps lock). I also tried connecting an external monitor and keyboard, neither were working on the laptop.

I first tried removing the battery and holding down the power button for 30 seconds, then trying both the AC adapter only and the battery connected multiple times. This did not resolve the issue and it continued to beep. I believe at one point, after force powering off the laptop, I would get this very high pitch sound coming from the laptop, it changed tone, then stopped.

Since that was not working, I tried to reseat the 2 RAM modules installed in the laptop. This caused the laptop to power on, then power off after a few seconds, without any beeping.

I removed one of the RAM modules and tested it again. This time, I was getting a different set of beeps: 4..4..4..4. This was a sign of memory failure, so I swapped out the RAM modules, but I was back to single beeps. I switched the RAM modules around and tried each slot, but I was only getting single beeps. Even after trying to seat the module in the position where I got 4 beeps, I was only getting single beeps now.

I've yet to try powering on the laptop without RAM modules, as I've heard that if you get 2 beeps (no memory detected), that means the motherboard should still be functional and it could just be bad memory/bad socket. Can you please confirm if this is the case so I can try this method and rule out a bad motherboard?

Otherwise, what else can I do to isolate the issue or call it a dead/bad motherboard?

I appreciate the help in advance!

 

[lga1156_ftw]

1...1..1..1 is motherboard / bios issue.


You need to disassembly further there is about 10 possible causes.
One important thing when you watch this video, DONT use anything metal like knife, use something plastic or your fingers to open the connectors, only place where you might need to use somehting is when you disconnect the front cover (where keyboard sits) from the bottom cover, be careful.

For every test, keep both ram slots occupied with original ram

First check that all USB ports on the laptop look fine and there is no bent pins on them, if it looks like a mess then you found the issue. If external ports look fine continue here:

First thing to try is remove Hard drive and try boot, any change, if not continue

• Use something like wooden table without no dirt which could short the mainboard, nothing conductive underneath
• After every time you plugin power cable, before and after check nothing is shorting the motherboard or touching it. After every test before continuing obviously remove the power cable.
• First remove battery and power cable, then press 20seconds power button to discharge the motherboard. after that:

Follow this video :

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBVnAMefXTI

Keep the ram connected, both modules. for this whole testing period.

1. When you remove front cover (2min35sec) take off power button board , its the cable and board leading to the power button, this comes handy testing the motherboard when more disassembled
2. After removing front cover , first try disconnecting the LCD cable at 3min 20sec, connect your external monitor cable to the mainboard, then connect the power button cable to the motherboard. After this point always before you plugin power cable remember to check that no disconnected connectors are touching the motherboard, this can cause short. Now plugin the power cable, try to boot with power button. Any beeps or signal to external monitor? If yes then cause is shorted lcd cable/lcd panel or something on the front cover like keyboard.
3. If still nothing and beeps continue start dissassemblying every connector like on that video, also disconnect the Wifi card, after your disconnected everything but dont yet take the motherboard out of the back cover. This time you will not hear beep codes since speakers are disconnected but you should get picture on external monitor / led flashing to diagnose. Check nothing is shorted or connecting the mainboard, plugin power cable and press power button. What happens?
4. If you still get nothing remove the motherboard and put on non conductive table like wooden, no dirt underneath. Flip the motherboard around and remove the Cmos battery (be careful not to destroy the clip holding the battery, look video how to). After that dont plugin power cable but press power button for 10seconds. Connect external monitor cable and this time you could boot it without even pressing power button (depends on model) since cmos battery is removed.

Now you have done cmos reset, after plugging in power cable (if it dont boot automatically after plugging in power cable, plug it off , connect power button cable and plugin it again and use the button) do you get any picture on external screen?
If yes put cmos battery back and assembly, if not lets continue.
5. Is the fan blocked with dust? If it looks in bad condition with alot of dust etc, remove the fan connector and this time you need to be quick with testing since your cpu is NOT cooled. Plugin power cable (use power button or boot automatically) check very fast if you get picture on screen, 15sec max and plug off power cable to not overheat the processor too fast. If you got picture then fan is shorted and needs to be replaced.

If still nothing, disconnect power cable and plugin cmos battery back and fan. Assembly the laptop carefully (remember to put power button cable back on its place) back together.

Next up is bios recovery, report back if above dont help and i can post how.