You can ask this question in as many different ways as you'd like, but since you've already heard from a competent repair shop, the answer will be the same: the board needs to be replaced.

ok...thanks

a good repair shop (like aqstech.com) may be able to repair the board instead of replacing it.  under no cimcumstances spend 400+ dollars to repair a 5100....

http://www.impactcomputers.com/5w288.html

http://store.linkexpresspc.com/9u743.html


You'll see Dell's prices are inline with what everyone else charges.

The problem with repairs is that they're labor intensive. Most shops won't bother, because they could dedicate a technician for a couple of hours, and wind up not repairing the board - and not get paid for that time.

The only sure solution is to replace the board with a working one.

This is really stressing me out...

With the numerous repair sites out there I would love some recommendation on sites that could repair the motherboard of a Inspiron 5100.  Dell charges $438 + taxes to repair but that seems a bit over priced - especially because I'm not sure that a replacement of the jack could solve the problem (see above). 

Any recommendations would be helpful (fyi..asqtech says they don't deal with the Inspiron 5100)...

Thanks in advance...

I take it you emailed aqstech?  cause the do say all makes and models and I know they've done a lot of work with 5150 with power jack problems

Yes, I contacted aqstech.com via email and their response was "Unfortunately, the 5100 is much different from the 5150. We currently do not have any solutions for the 5100 with DC Charge problems"

I emailed them again and asked if they can replace the motherboard.  I await their response...

They do not replace mainboards.

http://www.aqstech.com/faq.html

Thank you...I'll check them out...