Dell studio 1737 powers up for about 3 seconds and then shuts off

geno368 · Nov 20, 2011, 03:40 PM

I have a Studio 1737 which has a broken back case because the hinges are locked up. The wireless switch wires on the left are now broken. It was running fine last week and now:
I plug in the power adapter and it starts to power up for about 3 seconds. The power switch seems to be locked in the on position. The Dell logo appears for an instant and then it turns off. I don't think the fan even starts. I have reseated memory, removed the hard drive. Same results. The only think I can see bad is the keyboard connector on the MB has a broken retainer, but I think I have pushed the cable in far enough and placed the broken clip in position and taped it. If it wasn't making a good connection, it should still power up with a keyboard error, Right???
I would appreciate any and all help...

Takaharu · Nov 20, 2011, 11:27 PM

Have you tried removing the BIOS battery for 2 minutes and then re-seating it? If that gives an improvement you may want to consider replacing the battery.
It'll be a CR2032 for reference.

In theory it should give a keyboard error but it's not always guaranteed. I'm afraid I can't give a lot of info on that as it's just a tid-bit of info that I've picked up.

geno368 · Nov 22, 2011, 03:37 PM

Thanks for the reply...and...yes I removed it and tested the voltage with a meter and it is fine. I also checked the power cord and connector...

Kaylina · Dec 26, 2011, 08:14 PM

I know this is really old, but I have found the solution. You are probably on to better things, but maybe someone in the future will need this.

Anyway, a friend of mine asked me to download virus protection on her laptop which is a Dell Studio 1737. I turned it on when I got home and it came on fine. I tried to get online unsuccessfully, which is a different issue to settle, then I set about trying to fix the cosmetic issues with the computer. It would not close because the hinge on the left-hand side loosened and eventually broke off from the lid. the resulting friction cause one of the wires to fray. I did not realize this and tried to adjust the hinges so that it would close. I got it to close and open, with a little struggle, and I began to seal it back together. However, my heart dropped when I pushed the power button and nothing happened, except the LED lights flashed at the top of the keyboard. I panicked, thinking I had fried the mother board. but after taking apart the laptop I discovered the frayed wire which happened to be the wire connecting the power button to the laptop. The hinge had frayed it, and it was at that point hanging on by a thread, providing just enough spark to light up the keyboard and start the hard drive. I will include a picture as an attachment. I am going to see if I can splice this back together. If not I will look for a replacement on ebay. I will check in to let you or anyone else reading know how it goes.

geno368 · Dec 26, 2011, 10:16 PM

Thanks for the reply. I still have the laptop, but the wire that is frayed is the wireless on the left side.

Kaylina · Dec 27, 2011, 12:41 AM

Yes, but the power button and the wifi button run through the same bundle of wires. If split open there should be a red a black and a gold. These three join and form one wire that connects to the underside of the laptop. In my case, the wifi wire was completely torn and the power wire was barely hanging on. I peeled back the plastic on all three wires, spliced them back together and added electrical tape. I am still working on it right now. I will let you know if it works. If not, new ones can be purchased on ebay for about twelve bucks.

Kaylina · Dec 28, 2011, 01:50 AM

As it would turn out.... I suck at putting wires back together. I ordered a new power/ wifi button thingy and it should be here in a couple of days. So, I hope this works.

Nov 20, 2011, 03:40 PM	#1
geno368 HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 50 Rep Power: 0	Dell studio 1737 powers up for about 3 seconds and then shuts off I have a Studio 1737 which has a broken back case because the hinges are locked up. The wireless switch wires on the left are now broken. It was running fine last week and now: I plug in the power adapter and it starts to power up for about 3 seconds. The power switch seems to be locked in the on position. The Dell logo appears for an instant and then it turns off. I don't think the fan even starts. I have reseated memory, removed the hard drive. Same results. The only think I can see bad is the keyboard connector on the MB has a broken retainer, but I think I have pushed the cable in far enough and placed the broken clip in position and taped it. If it wasn't making a good connection, it should still power up with a keyboard error, Right??? I would appreciate any and all help...

Nov 20, 2011, 11:27 PM	#2
Takaharu I can fart in 7 languages Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: England, UK Posts: 1,850 Rep Power: 113 System Specs	Re: Dell studio 1737 powers up for about 3 seconds and then shuts off Have you tried removing the BIOS battery for 2 minutes and then re-seating it? If that gives an improvement you may want to consider replacing the battery. It'll be a CR2032 for reference. In theory it should give a keyboard error but it's not always guaranteed. I'm afraid I can't give a lot of info on that as it's just a tid-bit of info that I've picked up. __________________ I don't get paid to know the answer, therefore I'm far more likely to give you a straight and honest answer. Mods Rig, Box Mods Rig, Folding details

Nov 22, 2011, 03:37 PM	Thread Starter #3
geno368 HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 50 Rep Power: 0	Re: Dell studio 1737 powers up for about 3 seconds and then shuts off Thanks for the reply...and...yes I removed it and tested the voltage with a meter and it is fine. I also checked the power cord and connector...

Dec 26, 2011, 08:14 PM	#4
Kaylina HardwareHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Re: Dell studio 1737 powers up for about 3 seconds and then shuts off I know this is really old, but I have found the solution. You are probably on to better things, but maybe someone in the future will need this. Anyway, a friend of mine asked me to download virus protection on her laptop which is a Dell Studio 1737. I turned it on when I got home and it came on fine. I tried to get online unsuccessfully, which is a different issue to settle, then I set about trying to fix the cosmetic issues with the computer. It would not close because the hinge on the left-hand side loosened and eventually broke off from the lid. the resulting friction cause one of the wires to fray. I did not realize this and tried to adjust the hinges so that it would close. I got it to close and open, with a little struggle, and I began to seal it back together. However, my heart dropped when I pushed the power button and nothing happened, except the LED lights flashed at the top of the keyboard. I panicked, thinking I had fried the mother board. but after taking apart the laptop I discovered the frayed wire which happened to be the wire connecting the power button to the laptop. The hinge had frayed it, and it was at that point hanging on by a thread, providing just enough spark to light up the keyboard and start the hard drive. I will include a picture as an attachment. I am going to see if I can splice this back together. If not I will look for a replacement on ebay. I will check in to let you or anyone else reading know how it goes. Attached Thumbnails

Dec 26, 2011, 10:16 PM	Thread Starter #5
geno368 HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 50 Rep Power: 0	Re: Dell studio 1737 powers up for about 3 seconds and then shuts off Thanks for the reply. I still have the laptop, but the wire that is frayed is the wireless on the left side.

Dec 27, 2011, 12:41 AM	#6
Kaylina HardwareHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Re: Dell studio 1737 powers up for about 3 seconds and then shuts off Yes, but the power button and the wifi button run through the same bundle of wires. If split open there should be a red a black and a gold. These three join and form one wire that connects to the underside of the laptop. In my case, the wifi wire was completely torn and the power wire was barely hanging on. I peeled back the plastic on all three wires, spliced them back together and added electrical tape. I am still working on it right now. I will let you know if it works. If not, new ones can be purchased on ebay for about twelve bucks.

Dec 28, 2011, 01:50 AM	#7
Kaylina HardwareHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Re: Dell studio 1737 powers up for about 3 seconds and then shuts off As it would turn out.... I suck at putting wires back together. I ordered a new power/ wifi button thingy and it should be here in a couple of days. So, I hope this works.