Replaced Motherboard on Dell Inspiron 11 3134...Just Beeps

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pdhart

Mar 22, 2018
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My Dell laptop died on my lap last week. Would not turn on. Would not charge or show signs of recognizing power. The only thing different I did was use one of those generic AC adapters to charge it a week earlier, out of laziness. But worked fine after that for at least a week. Anyway, I ordered a new power jack and motherboard from ebay. The power jack was not the problem. After replacing the mother board, I plugged in the AC adapter, and it took the charge and battery charged. I thought I fixed it. But then turned it on and all I got/get is a continuous beep. Black screen. If unplugged, the computer light will come on instantly, but then shut off when it starts beeping.The fan never activates. I've been reading forum advice for a week now. I've reset the power (hold the on button) several times. I've replaced the RAM with known working RAM. I've replaced the coin battery. I've even tore apart and rebuilt twice just to make sure I attached everything right. Any ideas? Could it be the hard drive? The fan? Did I get a bad motherboard? I'd appreciate any help.
 
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pdhart

Mar 22, 2018
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Two very quick beeps at a time couple seconds apart. I thought that may indicate a RAM issue, from searching through forum posts. I know the backup RAM I tried is good because it was the RAM I upgraded that computer from a few years ago. Thanks for replying.
 
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fagetti

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Mar 1, 2018
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Yep 2 is a ram error. Try booting with 1 ram stick only, remove power cable and battery when swapping ram.
Try with both ram sticks separately in both slots, that means 4 different combinations.

Other option is beep codes are total amount of beeps.. like if it beeps 2-2-2-2 that means 8 example. Only if beeping stops completely after certain interval
 
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pdhart

Mar 22, 2018
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Thanks again, fagetti. I only have 1 RAM slot. And I checked it with a magnifying glass and all pins look similar. I cleaned them also. The beeping, 2 beeps at a time, lasts forever. All specs are similar between the two motherboards: Dell Inspiron 11 3137 Intel Celeron 2955U 1.4GHz Motherboard WVG6X. The small stickers are slightly different only at the very end of the number: CN-0WVG6X-48643-3AP-0833-A00 (replacement) vs. CN-0WVG6X-48643-39K-0349-A00 (old). I figured the last few numbers were identifying the specific piece of hardware.

Do you mean I should just take apart and put back together again? Or do you mean I should get a new motherboard? Thanks.
 
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fagetti

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That could be serial number. Try searching motherboard for 2nd ram slot. Below stickers there should be mobo model somewhere.

If you find 2nd ram slot do the testing i talked about. Try with replacement ram just in case. Try also boot without Any ram do you get error beeps or flashes as you should
 
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pdhart

Mar 22, 2018
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Here is a video of the same laptop as mine. At the 1:00 minute mark he removes the RAM. Unless there is RAM on other side, I think there's just one. I have attempted to boot without RAM. I get same beeping. In fact, I have systematically removed almost everything I could, one at a time, and still get the same exact beeping. I'll check below the stickers when I get home. Thanks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSfcyf35LX8
 
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fagetti

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Now i see only 1 ram slot. Did you have a sticker below ram slot saying "only ddr3L memory"? Cause it wont work if you add ddr3 to this slot needs to be PC3L, look closely on ram stick it needs to start with pc3l and not pc3. Also if your old motherboard supported PC3L and this not you need pc3 / ddr3 stick for it.
 
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pdhart

Mar 22, 2018
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When I read your last comment, I thought that's it. Because that would make all the sense. But when I got home...nope, same RAM requirements on both boards: "SODIMM only supports DDR3L" on both boards. And my RAM cards are both compatible. Also, both boards say: Model: ZM3.
 
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pdhart

Mar 22, 2018
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Some good news, fagetti. I did what you said and re-installed the motherboard. As I was replacing a cable, I noticed what looked like could be electrical damage like a burn mark at both ends. It was the motherboard to touch pad ribbon. So I tried to boot without the ribbon attached, and it ran fine. So I can use now, without touch pad. I'll order a new ribbon. Hopefully the touch pad circuit board is okay(?). Thanks for the help. I appreciate it.

 
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fagetti

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Oh god, i guess something was shorted along the way. I hope it works out, if it booted fine runs even under load then motherboard probably not destroyed. Cable could be secondary and short is in touch pad circuit. Look closely at the circuit, you would need multimeter for testing.
Also check ribbon connector in motherboard for any bent pins or damage. Meanwhile you can use USB mouse.

When installing new ribbon cable look for anything shorting out motherboard or any other components, could be screw you missed there example.
 
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