Hi Jamesparson89,

Welcome to the Community.

Sounds like an issue with the power button. Please press the power button multiple times to find out if the power button is sticky. In case the power button is sticky, it may require a part replacement.

Here are a few other steps that you can try :

1. Try to power on the system just with the battery once and just with the AC adapter next.

2. Please check for a difference, if any.

Let me know of the findings. Glad to help.

Naveen

Social Outreach Professional

You can reach us at: http://en.community.dell.com/

Hi Naveen,

Thank you for the response. Just tried the above suggestions but no luck.

The power button doesn't seem to be sticking.

Its just really strange as I only started getting this problem on Friday. As mentioned the laptop can only be powered on before the lid is opened. If I try opening the lid and then powering up the laptop won't come on.

Once I have powered up with the lid down I have to be quick in opening the lid otherwise the laptop will just go off and I have to repeat the process again.

Do laptops have some kind of sensor and could this be what is causing the problem? Its almost as if everything has changed around in the system i.e. surely the laptop should only come on once you have opened the lid and if the lid is closed the laptop shouldn't be able to be powered up.

Thanks again

James

Hi Jamesparson89,

Thanks for the response.

It appears to be an hardware issue. The power button on your system is part of the Lid. There is a possibility that there is a loose wire on the power button itself. Therefore, it works only in one particular position.  Please try to keep the screen at various positions from closed to open and power on the system. Please revert if it makes any difference.

Glad to be of help.

Rohit

Social Outreach Professional

You can reach us at Http://en.community.dell.com/

Whatever relay might have failed, unfortunately will be part of the mainboard.  Try reseating both ends of the cable between the display panel and the mainboard.  There's usually a ground wire running from the display panel to the mainboard as well - make sure that's firmly in place.  If you still can't get any response, it's most likely you'll need to replace the mainboard.

James: Help !!!!!

I also have a Studio 1749 that also seems to have the lid switch wired in reverse.

The action seems to be inverted. I close the lid to be able to start it.

Also the power button does not stay lit?

Does your power light inside the switch stay on when the laptop is on?

Chris Cotter - Southsea UK - Email id removed per privacy policy>

I have the same problem where my 1749 shuts down shorty after powering up, like it's failing the POST boot. The dell tech told me it was the motherboard, so I purchased a new board. Same problem. After reading your post about the external monitor, It starts up with an external monitor.

However, my keyboard does not work. When the system is booting up, it does say on the top line Manufacturing mode: level 40. Not sure what that means. Anyone figure this out yet?

Hi jaysplace92,

Replacing the motherboard on the system may have caused the issue and may cause other peripherals like keyboard to be unresponsive.

Was the motherboard purchased from Dell?

In order to resolve the issue, press when you receive the message to reboot the system to normal mode.

Also, as you have mentioned that the keyboard does not work; I will suggest you to reseat the keyboard once to make sure there are no lose connections.

Please refer to the system manual for parts replacement and read the safety information that shipped with your computer.

The link is http://bit.ly/TLPARR.

Keep me posted with the results. I will be glad to assist you further.

The reason I changed my motherboard is the tech support at Dell told me since the computer is shutting off within 3 seconds, it's like the POST test is failing and the motherboard is bad. The tech told me the price of the board is expensive and I should purchase another laptop. I found one on ebay brand new still in the box that was purchased from Dell. Same manufacturing date, version, on-board video, etc.

I tried the Alt> F> you suggested to run in normal mode. That did not work. Since the issue is present with both motherboards, I assume the original board is not the issue, so I put it back in. I still have the same issue where it shuts off after 3 seconds, unless the external monitor is plugged in. With the external monitor, I can get on the desktop and most things are working. The mouse pad is not, the back lighting on my keyboard is not, and the function button above the keyboard that brings up my settings does not work. I have connected to the Dell site, downloaded the system diagnosis tool and I'm running it now. 

The root problem still remains that the computer will not turn on unless an external monitor is plugged in. This has to tell us something or help in troubleshooting the issue. Any thoughts? 

Hi jaysplace92,

Share the results for the diagnostics once you have the results.

I need to research more on this issue and will keep you updated.

Please feel free to reply for any further assistance.