[seajays]

My dear wife came through with my Dell Mini 9 in hand to say, "is this the right charger for it? it smells like it's burning."

It was not the right charger. It was a 15v AC power supply for a Netgear router (I have no idea where she found that from!)

Now the mini 9 will work perfectly when plugged in (to the correct adapter), but remove the power and it dies instantly. The burning smell did not seem to be the battery, more from around the plug section of the mini 9.

Has it fried the charging circuit? The battery status shows the battery at 45% full and "Your battery is operating normally", however it will not charge (says "Idle"), the orange battery light flashes constantly, and as I say as soon as mains power is removed it goes off.

If this is the power circuitry in the mini instead of the battery, is this integrated into the motherboard, or is this something that can be replaced independently? Is it likely to be repairable, or do I have a "wired only" mini?

[lswartz]

I think 'fried' is correct.

I would get every file that I wanted to keep before doing anything else. Then I would try removing the battery & reinstalling it to see if I could get it to take a charge. However, I suspect that you have already done this & more with out any success. I would use it as a plug in computer as long as it lasts. We use ours in the kitchen/family room as a quick way to check email, recipes etc.

[grassle]

Attach a few big harddisks and you can still use it as a home network server.

[seajays]

Thanks guys. Yes I've taken out the battery, left off etc., plugged in but no it doesn't want to have anything to do with the battery any more (other than reporting it is OK in windows). Didn't really have a lot on it, so no files to take off anyway; mainly used for browsing/web email etc.

Just now I'll have to sit next to a power socket.

The idea of using it as a server is quite interesting... it's just I'm not sure whether it's now become a fire hazard if left unattended!

Is it likely the system board that's fried and not this bit?
D169H - Electronic Boards - Inspiron 910 - Mini 9 -

[holmes4]

That "bit" is the power button. It isn't your problem. It may be something in the battery got killed - there is regulation circuitry in there.

[rrfranczak3]

I think that if you just replace the battery you will be fine...check the "For Sale" section on this forum or try ebay and in the future just make sure you use the proper charger and I also recommend a surge suppressor, I have a single outlet surge suppressor from Radio Shack and NEVER plug in my Mini without it.....also I always plug in the adapter before connecting it to my Mini because sometimes you can get a surge, if you plug in the Mini then the adapter you are more prone to them...the other way around is safer

[seajays]

Sorry for resurrecting my old thread guys... it took a while to get round to things, and I'm back looking at this just now. We still use the Dell Mini 9, but tethered to the mains.

To update:

- I tried a replacement battery but it didn't work. Still refused to charge the battery. The battery was definitely working though, as I used it in a friends Dell Mini
- Ours still works fine when connected to A/C only
- These days at boot up it says no battery recognised and the white/orange lights flash alternately all the time.

I'm just back to wondering if it could have been the power daughter board (D169H), or if that board is purely the button itself and plays no part in other power distribution type stuff.

Anyone any ideas? Replacing the motherboard isn't really an option, but I notice the power board can be bought for £9 or thereabouts, so I might give it a shot if anyone thinks it might work?

[lswartz]

No problem at all. I like hearing the results of your efforts.

Since you have a new battery & the price is not very high I would try replacing the power board. Seems like it is worth experimenting to me. I hope it works.

How is your wife doing?

[mightybuddha]

Originally Posted by seajays

Sorry for resurrecting my old thread guys... it took a while to get round to things, and I'm back looking at this just now. We still use the Dell Mini 9, but tethered to the mains.

To update:

- I tried a replacement battery but it didn't work. Still refused to charge the battery. The battery was definitely working though, as I used it in a friends Dell Mini
- Ours still works fine when connected to A/C only
- These days at boot up it says no battery recognised and the white/orange lights flash alternately all the time.

I'm just back to wondering if it could have been the power daughter board (D169H), or if that board is purely the button itself and plays no part in other power distribution type stuff.

Anyone any ideas? Replacing the motherboard isn't really an option, but I notice the power board can be bought for £9 or thereabouts, so I might give it a shot if anyone thinks it might work?

the flashing leds sounds like a bios incompatability. Do you know which version bios you are using?

Did the old battery work in your friend's mini?

[middleofsweden]

You might want to look at this:

http://www.4shared.com/get/MnzaMYuD/...21P_KIZ00.html

If you have patience that will say..

I took a quick glance at it and it seems that all the power circuitry is there but they are far too complicated for me to trace now. (Still at work ans soon to go home)