DV7 No POST & Blinking Lights

This unit was thought to be a reflow and previous user or store overheats parts. So this cap that was to be seated on the South Bridge was sitting on the edge of it. Totally out of place. That is the primary reason I always look closely at the motherboard before attempting repairs. Parts get old, solder gets weak.

Reference Images

Reference Images

DV1000 Sparks

Sparks and No Power/No Lights

DV9000 and DV5-1002NR

Here is an example of a slow day.
HP DV9000 -model not available because 
I was brought the board only. An obvious capacitor short, and not sure if it was caused by liquid spill or shorted PC Card slot board. Customer advise to use caution before inserting the PC card.  Since the board arrived as board only, I cannot guarantee it was a spill or defective connector.

Main Problem was - No Video Though
PC Card Slot or Power Dist. circuit area

Replace LCD Connector on DV5-1002NR
Upon close inspection of this unit Pin 40 was broken and connector had to be replaced.  It was a delicate job, and heat management was needed so not to damage the plastic connector. The replacement was hand soldered to ensure alignment and durability.


Main Problem was - No Video on LCD, External video works.

Dell Inspiron 1721 - No Power- No Lights

Power On Signal Line

I got this Dell Inspiron 1721 in and it has no lights, no charge light, no nothing.  So I start investigating and find out that it's slide in keyboard has contacts/traces missing.  This model power button is on the keyboard, so without the keyboard functioning, it cannot come on. Now I have to devise a way to get it to turn on before ordering another keyboard.

Keyboard/Touchpad
 Connector Location

Following the voltages- I keep in mind that most modern laptops have a mosfet/switch or power circuit that requires the Power ON voltage to be dropped to 0v.  So I take the top cover off to be able to have the keyboard in, and access to the back connector under the wrist rest to find the power into the keyboard.






After shorting the Power-In signal line from the connector to the wire harness for the keyboard and touchpad. It is not identified in any way as other laptops such as HP/Compaq

Unit Powers Up

indicators.  [Zoom in to see Pin 6]  After a number of test
I find that the keyboard has poor contact between layers of
plastic, and appears to have oxidized to the point where the
resistance does not drop enough to completely close the power on ciruit, so the signal line never drops to 0v. And the laptop never comes on.

 This solves half of the problem. Now to find a way to correct the contact problem.

Customer gives up - Not a completed repair. No investigation into whether the KBC (keyboard controller)should be replaced.

Dell diagnostics reports No Keyboard attached, though it let me use the F1 key to continue, as well as the other keys to continue various other tests.  Also reports Power Button not detected.

The Repair Videos

Ok I still have not answered all of the DVD requests. But I did come up with a solution. Create an ISO of the disk so that you can burn your own DVD.  Mike(UK) and LarryS(US) and any one else I missed.  Please email me direct (NOT ON BLOG). And I will put the ISO up.

(MegaLoad is no longer an option) so I had to do things another way.