Display not turning on; keyboard lights up. Suspecting (v)RAM issues

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Dell Inspiron 14 5000 Series

Device repair and information for the Dell Inspiron 14 line of computers.

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cubething @cubething

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게시됨: 2025년 2월 16일

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Display not turning on; keyboard lights up. Suspecting (v)RAM issues

Hi all,

My boyfriend got liquid on his laptop and now the screen does not turn on. It has occasionally turned on, only to spit some garbled picture on the screen. It looks similar to what happens when you take RAM out of a running computer, so I'm suspecting this is the issue. I'm not well-versed hardware failures though. I popped it open to check for any obvious signs of water damage, but I couldn't find any (stains, zap marks, etc.). Unfortunately, I don't have any images of the actual device, or what the torn graphics looked like, but here's a random image for comparison: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/u4cFFybZcqc/maxre...

Any ideas?

Best,
-- cubething

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Hi @cubething

Taking ram out of a PC that's powered on is not good practice. Hopefully you're not reinserting it whilst it's on? Sure way to damage ram if you are

Have you tried checking the display on an external monitor (TV?) attached to the laptop to see if it is OK?

If the external display is OK then there's a problem with the laptop's LCD panel or video cable connector on the board.

If it is not OK then it's a motherboard problem and further testing would be required to find out where.

What is the model number of the motherboard (printed on the board) as the schematics will be needed to find out what the problem is?

What is the model number of the laptop as shown on the product label on the bottom of the laptop, in case replacement parts are needed?

jayeff 의 2025년 2월 16일

Hi jayeff,

Obviously I'm not taking the RAM out while it's running. I've tried using an HDMI with no luck. I noticed the power light was flashing, so I looked it up in the user manual (here). 2 amber 4 white indicates RAM issues, so I popped out the RAM and saw that the connectors on one of the chips were a bit fried! Going to try ordering a new one and replacing it. Going to keep this thread open in case.

It is a Dell Inspiron p157g. Couldn't find the board model, it's obscured by a million parts I'd prefer not to remove unless I have to.

Best

cubething 의 2025년 2월 17일

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Hi @cubething

Taking ram out of a PC that's powered on is not good practice. Hopefully you're not reinserting it whilst it's on? Sure way to damage ram if you are

Have you tried checking the display on an external monitor (TV?) attached to the laptop to see if it is OK?

If the external display is OK then there's a problem with the laptop's LCD panel or video cable connector on the board.

If it is not OK then it's a motherboard problem and further testing would be required to find out where.

What is the model number of the motherboard (printed on the board) as the schematics will be needed to find out what the problem is?

What is the model number of the laptop as shown on the product label on the bottom of the laptop, in case replacement parts are needed? — jayeff
Hi jayeff,

Obviously I'm not taking the RAM out while it's running. I've tried using an HDMI with no luck. I noticed the power light was flashing, so I looked it up in the user manual (here). 2 amber 4 white indicates RAM issues, so I popped out the RAM and saw that the connectors on one of the chips were a bit fried! Going to try ordering a new one and replacing it. Going to keep this thread open in case.

It is a Dell Inspiron p157g. Couldn't find the board model, it's obscured by a million parts I'd prefer not to remove unless I have to.

Best — cubething

jayeff @jayeff 평판: 524.2k 11 399 1.5k · Answer 1 · 2025-02-18T00:55:56-07:00

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jayeff @jayeff

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게시됨: 2025년 2월 18일

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Hi @cubething,

The board model is a Compal LA-K491P.

I couldn't locate a free download online for the schematics. This is the cheapest download for the schematics that I could find. You may have better luck.

If the ram module is not the cause of the ram connector pin being burnt then if you decide get the schematics to try and find the problem on the board then count the number of the pin (or pins) which is burnt (and also note the DIMM socket number i.e. 0 or 1) and then find the relevant page in the schematic to see what is connected to that pin.

Does anything else look damaged on the ram module itself?

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Dell Inspiron 14 5000 Series

Display not turning on; keyboard lights up. Suspecting (v)RAM issues

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