DELL Inspiron 5100 Multiple Problems

Hi

I have been experiencing problems with my DELL Inspiron 5100 that have
left me infuriated with the laptop. I am going to list the problems
below and would appreciate any help or suggestions in fixing the
following:

1. Laptop often fails to start up. I press the power button, the
laptop turns on, fan kicks in at full speed (sounds like a jumbo on
takeoff) the monitor then seems to fail to start so the laptop just
shuts down

2. Now and again the laptop screen will freeze and the only way to
resolve it is to restart the system manually as Ctrl-Alt-Del will not
work

3. I have installed two banks of 512MB memory but it only ever
recognizes one bank of 512MB RAM. I have even switched them around but
it still only ever recognizes one bank, why?

4. If I am lucky enough to have the laptop on for any period, it must
be on a tabletop because if I have it on my lap it literally burns my
legs. This is related to the fan being at full speed for most of the
time.

5. If using the laptop I have to put the laptop on the edge of a table
or place it on an improvised stand to give the fan a reasonable air
stream. If the laptop is sat directly on the tabletop it overheats in
minutes and turns itself off automatically

6. The laptop often fails to start, as mentioned in problem 1, but
sometimes if beep 3 times, pauses, then beeps again. I have read
elsewhere this may be the beep pattern for a failing memory module, is
that correct. If not, can anyone tell me what it does mean?

I have looked into updating the BIOS as this may solve some of the
problems but even the BIOS update software says the laptop is
incompatible. The BIOS version I have is A0.

Any help with fixing any of the above issues will be greatly
appreciated.

sounds like overheating is your biggest problem.
get a vacuum cleaner, and vacuum around the laptop, ther eis dirt
clogging the heatsink inside, etc. also a compressed air can is good.
get all the dirt out.

second, are these the original memory chips, or is this something you
upgraded? they should be ddr-pc2700 memory chips only. could be that a
socket is bad. try putting just one in at a time, then move it from
socket a to b and see if there is a bad socket or bad dimm.

if you go to support.dell.com and enter your service tag, and download
the bios, i'm very surprised that it would not work for you.
but the UK site may be different.
but dont do that yet until you do the first two steps above.
if you have bad ram, and you try to flash the bios, it may fail and
you'll wind up with a paperweight.
Jay

wrote:
> Hi
>
> I have been experiencing problems with my DELL Inspiron 5100 that have
> left me infuriated with the laptop. I am going to list the problems
> below and would appreciate any help or suggestions in fixing the
> following:
>
> 1. Laptop often fails to start up. I press the power button, the
> laptop turns on, fan kicks in at full speed (sounds like a jumbo on
> takeoff) the monitor then seems to fail to start so the laptop just
> shuts down
>
> 2. Now and again the laptop screen will freeze and the only way to
> resolve it is to restart the system manually as Ctrl-Alt-Del will not
> work
>
> 3. I have installed two banks of 512MB memory but it only ever
> recognizes one bank of 512MB RAM. I have even switched them around but
> it still only ever recognizes one bank, why?
>
> 4. If I am lucky enough to have the laptop on for any period, it must
> be on a tabletop because if I have it on my lap it literally burns my
> legs. This is related to the fan being at full speed for most of the
> time.
>
> 5. If using the laptop I have to put the laptop on the edge of a table
> or place it on an improvised stand to give the fan a reasonable air
> stream. If the laptop is sat directly on the tabletop it overheats in
> minutes and turns itself off automatically
>
> 6. The laptop often fails to start, as mentioned in problem 1, but
> sometimes if beep 3 times, pauses, then beeps again. I have read
> elsewhere this may be the beep pattern for a failing memory module, is
> that correct. If not, can anyone tell me what it does mean?
>
> I have looked into updating the BIOS as this may solve some of the
> problems but even the BIOS update software says the laptop is
> incompatible. The BIOS version I have is A0.
>
> Any help with fixing any of the above issues will be greatly
> appreciated.
>

The Inspiron 5100-series laptops are almost legendary for running hot. Never
should one be considered a LAPtop. It is a large desktop replacement.

If dust and dirt have clogged the airways and fan which ventilate the CPU, this
could explain its balky nature. The easiest way to clean out the airways is to
blast compressed air into the openings to dislodge the dust and dirt. It may
be necessary to remove the keyboard to clean the ventilating area around the fan
more thoroughly. Removing the keyboard is a simple operation, well-documented
in the service manual on the Dell web site.

You may want to consider a laptop cooler. Asus makes a nice one which sits
under the laptop chassis and plugs into a USB port... Ben Myers

On 4 Dec 2006 23:47:05 -0800, wrote:

>Hi
>
>I have been experiencing problems with my DELL Inspiron 5100 that have
>left me infuriated with the laptop. I am going to list the problems
>below and would appreciate any help or suggestions in fixing the
>following:
>
>1. Laptop often fails to start up. I press the power button, the
>laptop turns on, fan kicks in at full speed (sounds like a jumbo on
>takeoff) the monitor then seems to fail to start so the laptop just
>shuts down
>
>2. Now and again the laptop screen will freeze and the only way to
>resolve it is to restart the system manually as Ctrl-Alt-Del will not
>work
>
>3. I have installed two banks of 512MB memory but it only ever
>recognizes one bank of 512MB RAM. I have even switched them around but
>it still only ever recognizes one bank, why?
>
>4. If I am lucky enough to have the laptop on for any period, it must
>be on a tabletop because if I have it on my lap it literally burns my
>legs. This is related to the fan being at full speed for most of the
>time.
>
>5. If using the laptop I have to put the laptop on the edge of a table
>or place it on an improvised stand to give the fan a reasonable air
>stream. If the laptop is sat directly on the tabletop it overheats in
>minutes and turns itself off automatically
>
>6. The laptop often fails to start, as mentioned in problem 1, but
>sometimes if beep 3 times, pauses, then beeps again. I have read
>elsewhere this may be the beep pattern for a failing memory module, is
>that correct. If not, can anyone tell me what it does mean?
>
>I have looked into updating the BIOS as this may solve some of the
>problems but even the BIOS update software says the laptop is
>incompatible. The BIOS version I have is A0.
>
>Any help with fixing any of the above issues will be greatly
>appreciated.

I believe you have several issues on the computer.

Firstly, the heat sink fins are probably clogged with dust. You need
someone to physically remove the heasink, scrape the inside with a
small screwdriver and then, while holding the fan in place, blow
compressed air into the fins to dislodge the huge wad of dust. An
extremely common problem for the 11xx and 51xx series. You should be
able to see "light" through the heat sink fins (ie not clogged)

Secondly, if not resolved quickly, the overheating will cause other
components on the motherboard to fail. You will probably need a new
motherboard if the heat sink is not removed and cleaned.

Thirdly, the BIOS revision of A0.(?) is way too low. The BIOS for
most 51xx series Dells is well into the A20's if not A30's (A38 is the
latest I think on the 5150). This may assist you with the memory
compatibility issue. The inspiron 5100 should definetly be compatible
with two 512's.

As far as the error code, I believe it is related to the overheating
issue.

Dan

On 4 Dec 2006 23:47:05 -0800, wrote:

>Hi
>
>I have been experiencing problems with my DELL Inspiron 5100 that have
>left me infuriated with the laptop. I am going to list the problems
>below and would appreciate any help or suggestions in fixing the
>following:
>
>1. Laptop often fails to start up. I press the power button, the
>laptop turns on, fan kicks in at full speed (sounds like a jumbo on
>takeoff) the monitor then seems to fail to start so the laptop just
>shuts down
>
>2. Now and again the laptop screen will freeze and the only way to
>resolve it is to restart the system manually as Ctrl-Alt-Del will not
>work
>
>3. I have installed two banks of 512MB memory but it only ever
>recognizes one bank of 512MB RAM. I have even switched them around but
>it still only ever recognizes one bank, why?
>
>4. If I am lucky enough to have the laptop on for any period, it must
>be on a tabletop because if I have it on my lap it literally burns my
>legs. This is related to the fan being at full speed for most of the
>time.
>
>5. If using the laptop I have to put the laptop on the edge of a table
>or place it on an improvised stand to give the fan a reasonable air
>stream. If the laptop is sat directly on the tabletop it overheats in
>minutes and turns itself off automatically
>
>6. The laptop often fails to start, as mentioned in problem 1, but
>sometimes if beep 3 times, pauses, then beeps again. I have read
>elsewhere this may be the beep pattern for a failing memory module, is
>that correct. If not, can anyone tell me what it does mean?
>
>I have looked into updating the BIOS as this may solve some of the
>problems but even the BIOS update software says the laptop is
>incompatible. The BIOS version I have is A0.
>
>Any help with fixing any of the above issues will be greatly
>appreciated.

I agree. You may find this helpful:

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportfor...ssage.id=33748
With your 5100 you first have to upgrade to BIOS version A22 after which you
can update to any of the latest BIOS versions - A32 appears to be the latest
for the Dell Inspiron 5100 and it works well, providing far more features
including USB booting. It worked on mine!
Dell Notebook BIOS Updates
http://www.bay-wolf.com/flashbios.htm

David

"blah" <> wrote in message
news:...
>I believe you have several issues on the computer.
>
> Firstly, the heat sink fins are probably clogged with dust. You need
> someone to physically remove the heasink, scrape the inside with a
> small screwdriver and then, while holding the fan in place, blow
> compressed air into the fins to dislodge the huge wad of dust. An
> extremely common problem for the 11xx and 51xx series. You should be
> able to see "light" through the heat sink fins (ie not clogged)
>
> Secondly, if not resolved quickly, the overheating will cause other
> components on the motherboard to fail. You will probably need a new
> motherboard if the heat sink is not removed and cleaned.
>
> Thirdly, the BIOS revision of A0.(?) is way too low. The BIOS for
> most 51xx series Dells is well into the A20's if not A30's (A38 is the
> latest I think on the 5150). This may assist you with the memory
> compatibility issue. The inspiron 5100 should definetly be compatible
> with two 512's.
>
> As far as the error code, I believe it is related to the overheating
> issue.
>
> Dan
>
> On 4 Dec 2006 23:47:05 -0800, wrote:
>
>>Hi
>>
>>I have been experiencing problems with my DELL Inspiron 5100 that have
>>left me infuriated with the laptop. I am going to list the problems
>>below and would appreciate any help or suggestions in fixing the
>>following:
>>
>>1. Laptop often fails to start up. I press the power button, the
>>laptop turns on, fan kicks in at full speed (sounds like a jumbo on
>>takeoff) the monitor then seems to fail to start so the laptop just
>>shuts down
>>
>>2. Now and again the laptop screen will freeze and the only way to
>>resolve it is to restart the system manually as Ctrl-Alt-Del will not
>>work
>>
>>3. I have installed two banks of 512MB memory but it only ever
>>recognizes one bank of 512MB RAM. I have even switched them around but
>>it still only ever recognizes one bank, why?
>>
>>4. If I am lucky enough to have the laptop on for any period, it must
>>be on a tabletop because if I have it on my lap it literally burns my
>>legs. This is related to the fan being at full speed for most of the
>>time.
>>
>>5. If using the laptop I have to put the laptop on the edge of a table
>>or place it on an improvised stand to give the fan a reasonable air
>>stream. If the laptop is sat directly on the tabletop it overheats in
>>minutes and turns itself off automatically
>>
>>6. The laptop often fails to start, as mentioned in problem 1, but
>>sometimes if beep 3 times, pauses, then beeps again. I have read
>>elsewhere this may be the beep pattern for a failing memory module, is
>>that correct. If not, can anyone tell me what it does mean?
>>
>>I have looked into updating the BIOS as this may solve some of the
>>problems but even the BIOS update software says the laptop is
>>incompatible. The BIOS version I have is A0.
>>
>>Any help with fixing any of the above issues will be greatly
>>appreciated.

<> wrote in message
news: ups.com...
> Hi
>
> I have been experiencing problems with my DELL Inspiron 5100 that have
> left me infuriated with the laptop. I am going to list the problems
> below and would appreciate any help or suggestions in fixing the
> following:
>

I have a 5160 and as has been said elsewhere, these guys are pretty heavy
duty laptops, so heat/noise can be issues that go with the territory.
BIOS does sound low, for instance my 5160 has been rebuilt not that long ago
and I took the opportunity to go A08 (fine) I know some have reported BIOS
upgrades as dealing with fan speed issues, and I'd recommend having a wade
around the Dell website, to check the community forums out - there's some
good help available there.

Also - have you run the Dell diags at hardware level? Could be worthwhile if
you have a genuine h/w fault.

I have bought a laptop cooling base that mine sits on all the time. Got it
from Maplins. Basically it's an Aluminium pressing that houses 2 fans in the
base. Laptop sits on it, connected via a USB cable, and the base also has
more USB ports in it too which is handy. I can't say it stops the fan
altogether but it has to be doing some good as the fans deffo push cool air
into the base area. Blowing out the inlet/exhaust ports is recommended too,
I usually use a camera blower (for lenses) and you should see the fine crap
that shift off the grilles

good luck

Dave