Power/AC adaptor questions Please help

Hopefully the system is still under warranty, because the chances are overwhelming the problem is with the system board.

Give Dell a call.

Argh!  That is not what I wanted to hear but thanks for your input.  I really need to get my files off since I need to turn in my projects by the end of the month.  I have no problem sending the computer in for repairs but I can't wait for my files.

Does anyone know if I order a new battery from Dell if it will come charged so that I can at least get my files off before I send it in for repair?

Thanks again!

Does the green light stay on when you plug the A/C Adaptor in your PC? If you are under warranty, you can have Dell exchange the AC Adaptor before sending in the whole PC, because it could also be a faulty AC Adaptor.

Spare batteries aren't fully charged, but often 50-70%. However, it could also be possible that a spare battery isn't charged enough to get your files.

You could use an external USB case for 2,5" HDDs to retrieve your files on another PC.
Another way to get your files is to buy an adaptor to hook your 2,5" Notebook HDD to a standard IDE connector as a second drive on a Desktop PC.

The same thing JUST happened to my computer! From looking at the forum, it looks like TONS of people have problems with their 5150.  Mine's not under warrenty anymore, I've already replaced the motherboard once.  My green light doesnt' even come on when its plugged in.  Yesterday it would turn on and charge for 2 minutes if I wiggled the cord JUST right, now its not even turning on.  Let me know what they say -- when I called they said it was probably a problem with my adapter so I went out and bought an iGo universal adapter, but they don't even make a tip for it! ARGH!

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.  The green light does stay on and I have tried another adaptor so I am pretty sure it is the computer.  I went to the Dell troubleshooting tool and gave my journal number to support.  They suggested I send in my whole computer minus the hard drive.  Thank goodness I still have 100 days left of warranty!  Although now I wish I would've purchased an additional year or two.  Is it too late to do that? 

Anyway I had thought of finding someone else with a model similar to mine but I do not know anyone who has one.  Seems like there are nothing but VAIOs or Compaqs around here!  I am thinking of calling around to some of the local comp shops around here to see how much they will charge me to copy my hard drive onto a DVD.  Best Buy charges $90 but I'd rather not go to them.  I am kinda frustrated.  I paid $1500 for the computer and I know that is not a lot for some of you but it is a lot for a college student.   I would expect it to at least be okay for a year.

Thanks again for the suggestions.  You guys are awesome. :)

-Jen

HMKrieps,

A friend of mine suggested this too.  Where would I find the adaptor to hook the notebook HDD to the desktop?  We have a few computer shops around here and Worst Buy and Radio Shack but I'm not quite sure what I need or if they have it?  Can you elaborate a little more?  Thanks a bunch!!!

-Jen

See here to get a picture of such an Adaptor:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39967&item=5196102317&rd=1
The 2,5" Notebook drives only have one connector for IDE and power, whereas the desktop connector has the ribbon cable for IDE and the 4-pin power plug.