Dell Inspiron 4000 problems

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Need help with busted laptop:

(please go slow as I have about 0 computer skills)

Got laptop from friend - he didn't want it anymore because power plug
had broken off motherboard. Got new motherboard from some guy in TX.
Installed motherboard using guidelines found on Dell's website.

The computer charges up fine now, but will not boot up. Power light
comes on, screen flickers for a second (no text), battery light comes
on, but when hard drive light comes on, computer shuts down.

What is the problem here? Do I need to get another motherboard from
the guy in TX? Is the BIOS a problem, and if so, what can I do to fix
it? Have no idea what version of BIOS is on machine now.

Thanks,

Michael Wood