iFixit - Answers With Device "Dell Inspiron 6400"

Dell Inspiron 6400: How do I look at the history of use on this computer

Fri, 01 May 2020 07:54:40 -0700

How do I look at the history of use on this computer

⟐ Answer accepted May 01, 2020 at 7:54 MST

Dell Inspiron 6400: Disk load making my PC hot n' slow - will an SSD help on SATA I?

Wed, 19 Apr 2017 14:03:59 -0700

My laptop has had some overheating and sluggishness issues. This is because of the HDD. HWmonitor reads the drive as 50° or more, and that seems quite hot. When I try doing very simple things, like luanching an app, HDD usage hits a hundred percent usage a sticks for a while. I know that an SSD will always stay cool, but will it be lagging in performance due to SATA I? The theoretical max of SATA is 187, but the real is about 144 (using a 0.77 multiplier, common for SATA), so will the limiting factor be the interface? I can also get a HDD with 200 MB/s transfer, so that won't operate at max nonstop. Thanks.

⟐ Commented April 19, 2017 at 14:03 MST

Dell Inspiron 6400: How to fix my motherboard?

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 01:17:50 -0700

Please help me repair the motherboard of my Dell Inspiron E1505 laptop. The laptop doesn't start when I push the power button.

Here it is what I tried so far:

- start it without battery in, only using power adapter

- start it without any RAM

- start it using a known good power adapter

- CMOS reset

But my laptop is dead. No beep, no LEDs, nothing.

The power adapter is putting out 19.8V.

I have the service manual, I have even the schematics of entire laptop. I opened it looking for any obvious signs of damage on the motherboard. But no luck. I checked if DC power socket is firm in place. It is.

I am quite proficient at electronics, but not too familiar with laptop repair. Perhaps somebody can tell me where to start measuring the basic voltages (3.3V, 5V, etc). I can take photos of motherboard if that will help identify strategic points for measurements.

Thank you.

⟐ Commented February 27, 2025 at 1:17 MST

Dell Inspiron 6400: Screen goes Dark + Replaced Inverter and Backlight Already

Fri, 19 Oct 2018 21:19:29 -0700

The screen on my laptop would sometimes go dark and I could see the ghost images. It was happening for a couple of months. I was getting around this by switching to sleep mode and back which seemed to do the trick. Recently, the screen wouldn't light up at all, so for the moment I am using an external screen which worked. I did some research and the problem seemed to either be the inverter or the backlight. I replaced the inverter first which didn't seem to make any difference, then I replaced the backlight. It sometimes works and other times does not, switching to sleep mode and back seems to work now. However I'm sure it will stop working again. I'm thinking now it could be the inverter cables. Is it worth the hassle to replace this aswell? It would nearly have been cheaper to replace the whole screen at this point. Whats your advice?

⟐ Commented October 19, 2018 at 21:19 MST

Dell Inspiron 6400: Overheating issues-RAM or GPU

Fri, 31 Mar 2017 11:03:16 -0700

My Dell laptop has been overheating when watching Netflix. After about 5 minutes of watching, the fan begins to ramp up, and after 10, it goes to full. I suspect either the RAM or the Intel 945GM graphics chipset. I have upgraded the CPU to core 2 duo T7600, and the RAM to 2x2 A-TECH PC-6400 RAM. HWmonitor does not display any abnormal tempatures, but when I touch the RAM it feels quite hot (around 50° c), but still not out of normal threshold. When I replaced the CPU, I noticed that the graphics chipset had a peice of thermal tape instead of thermal paste. I replaced it with thermal paste, not thinking it made a difference. Operating system-windows 10, and yes, I am using it on a hard surface. Thanks for any help!

⟐ Commented March 31, 2017 at 11:03 MST

Dell Inspiron 6400: How to determine SATA controller revision in Windows.

Sat, 08 Apr 2017 09:19:39 -0700

Short and sweet: how do I know how fast the SATA interface will be from windows (10). I'm not talking about the HDD.

⟐ Commented April 08, 2017 at 9:19 MST

Dell Inspiron 6400: Windows log in password

Tue, 28 Nov 2017 17:52:42 -0700

I start my laptop inspiron 6400 but when its booting it stops on my desktop picture with a widows log on screen . I don't remember PW or user name

⟐ Answered November 28, 2017 at 17:52 MST

Dell Inspiron 6400: Dell Inspiron 6400 e1505

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:56:31 -0700

The Dell e1505 shuts down after booting up. Sometimes it runs for a few minutes, sometimes a few seconds. There is a "clicking noise" as it shuts down. It seems like something is shutting off the power. Ant ideas?

⟐ Answer accepted April 23, 2013 at 17:56 MST

Dell Inspiron 6400: Good source for a Express card 16GB SSD under $30

Sun, 18 Feb 2018 10:23:41 -0700

My laptop has bad overheating issues at the HDD because it's constantly running at Max load. I need a 16 GB expresscard SSD which would be just enough for Ubuntu. Does anyone know of a good source for a SSD under $30? I'll never use my expresscard slot anyway, so this may put it to use. It's a 54/34mm slot. Or an adapter solution. Thank you.

@danj @mayer Anyone?

⟐ Answered February 18, 2018 at 10:23 MST

Dell Inspiron 6400: My laptop overheat and cannot swith on

Thu, 08 Dec 2016 06:42:32 -0700

when i press botton it shows a light then off.

⟐ Commented December 08, 2016 at 6:42 MST

Dell Inspiron 6400: Why wont power on after changing cmos battery?

Wed, 07 Dec 2016 21:56:59 -0700

why wont my dell 6400 wont power on? I had remove and replaced the cmos battery, so as to reset the bios admin. password and tried to power on and it wouldnt. i have done almost everything except replacing the main battery, even though it doesnt power on with just the ac power either. what can i do next barring the replacement of the motherboard ?

⟐ Answered December 07, 2016 at 21:56 MST

Dell Inspiron 6400: Why does Apple need me to reauthorize my PC

Sat, 04 Jun 2016 19:04:09 -0700

I recently switch from Windows 7 to 10. Apple is asking me to authorize my PC so as to have access to hundreds of CDs in My Music. Can you help me out with that?

Thanks very much.

Roy

⟐ Answer accepted June 04, 2016 at 19:04 MST

Dell Inspiron 6400: Where to find original recovery media for Windows and MediaDirect?

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 15:13:40 -0700

I have a Dell Inspirion 6400, and it's been fully reset (HDD completely wiped) and it's missing it's OS and the other structures from the media features and MediaDirect function button.

⟐ Commented August 14, 2024 at 15:13 MST

Dell Inspiron 6400: How to reset user password

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 05:55:50 -0700

How to reset user password

⟐ Commented February 18, 2021 at 5:55 MST

Dell Inspiron 6400: Can I replace the PP22L Dell screen whole assembly?

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 06:14:02 -0700

My laptop was falling down at 2 meters height and suddenly the screen holder was broken but the unit is still working. The only problem is, it can’t close/open properly due to the broken screen holder. What should I do?

⟐ Answered September 12, 2019 at 6:14 MST