How To Repair A Dell 5160
Apr 22nd, 2007 by Martin
I recently saw a bargain on ebay, a Dell 5160. It had a 2.8ghz pentium 4 processor, 512mb ram harddrive, power supply everything and in good condition. The only problem is that it won’t power up. As I thought it would be an easy repair I bought it for £100. I reckon I could probably make a return just by breaking it up and selling it for parts. It turns out that powering up problems on the Dell 5160 are common, worst case it will need a new motherboard. However I have heard that sometimes its just the power connector on the motherboard. You can pick one of these up for around £5 from ebay. So if you own a Dell 5160 thats having powering up problems, try buying a new connector first before a new motherboard.
I’ll keep you posted when the Dell is fixed or not fixed as the case may be.
Updated 06/06/07 - The Dell 5160 is officially dead! 
I finally had some time to test the motherboard further using the method described in the comment below. It turns out my Dell has the motherboard fault and not the power connector fault. As it’s dead I have taken it to pieces and starting to put it on ebay. I should get my money back, time 3 days left on the auction check it out if you want a replacement screen ram or any other bits, send me an e-mail if you want to buy any bits.
How did you get on with the repair of the 5160?
Hi Asima,
Here is what I have done so far I’ve been abit low on time but hope to do some more work on the dell this weekend. I have made sure that the power supply works, which it does, (and electrocuting myself in the process)
Then I took the machine to bits to get to the motherboard. I have heard that sometimes its just the power connector that is at fault not the motherboard.
The next job is to unsolder the power connector on the motherboard, then solder 2 bits of copper to the motherboard instead of the connector, then split the cable of the power cord and solder the copper bits from the motherboard to the power cord. Fianlly put the laptop together in some sort of working order and see if it powers up to see if its the connector at fault or the motherboard. Does that makes sense?
This is probably the longest comment ever! I think I should have started a new post. Are you having the same power up faults? Please feel free to e-mail me martin.davies@thewebconsumer.com if you need any help and I will try my best.
Hi
From what i hear my problem is the same as yours. I also have a 5160, and there is absolutely no sign of power in the laptop no-matter what you do. I’ve opened it up and have taken a look at the power connector and there seems to be a lack of solder around one of the points (i’ve checked that this is actually where the power goes through, not just the solder to keep the connector in place). This may or
may not be the issue, i’m not sure. I was intending to replace the connector anyway to be safe, but i can’t seem to find one anywhere. Can you point me in the right direction?
Many Thanks.
Hi Ollie, have you tried resoldering the existing power connector? The best place for getting odds and sods is defiately e-bay. This guy sells Laptop spares http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Laptops-and-Spares including the Dell power connector for £4.50 + £1.50 for p&p I believe which is the cheapest I have seen. This link will take you to an auction that is currently has a power connector for sale. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Dell-Inspiron-1150-1160-5150-5160-DC-Jack-power-socket_W0QQitemZ290120086880QQihZ019QQcategoryZ31531QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Hope that helps.
This site contains some info which might be useful.
http://www.laptoprepair1.co.uk/laptop-power-socket-pin-repair.html