I have a Dell INS1764 laptop bought in 2010. It was working fine yesterday morning, then whilst using it, someone came to the door and kept me talking for some time, when I went back to the computer, the screen was blank and there was no sign of life. Sometimes the connection cable isn't fully inserted and the warning comes up that there is only a few minutes of battery life left, this may have happened whilst I was away from the computer and the battery lost total power as I wasn't there to make sure the lead was connected fully. I can see no sign of life from the laptop at all. The power is there in the cable as the adaptor light is on, but the laptop, for some reason, isn't receiving it, although the internet light flickers briefly. Is there a key on the keyboard that closes down the laptop? (obviously not the the on/off button) I know my cat likes to sit on the keyboard, given the chance and she may have done so on this occasion as she has caused me problems in the past by sitting on keys that alter the appearance of the screen etc. Someone suggested there might be a loose connection within the laptop socket, but could this happen spontaneously?
All suggestions welcome. Many Thanks.
Freddles
Hi Phil
Thanks for your reply. I did as you advised, but only the internet light flickered, but at least it proved that power was there. I opened up the battery casing and blew on it to disperse any dust and clipped it back in place. Did all you said, again. and hey presto - we have life!!!! I can't say for sure just what it was that caused the problem in the first place or what solved it, but so happy to have my laptop back to life - I'm lost without it and this old desktop is so-oo slow.
One happy Freddles! 
I have a Dell INS1764 laptop bought in 2010. It was working fine yesterday morning, then whilst using it, someone came to the door and kept me talking for some time, when I went back to the computer, the screen was blank and there was no sign of life. Sometimes the connection cable isn't fully inserted and the warning comes up that there is only a few minutes of battery life left, this may have happened whilst I was away from the computer and the battery lost total power as I wasn't there to make sure the lead was connected fully. I can see no sign of life from the laptop at all. The power is there in the cable as the adaptor light is on, but the laptop, for some reason, isn't receiving it, although the internet light flickers briefly. Is there a key on the keyboard that closes down the laptop? (obviously not the the on/off button) I know my cat likes to sit on the keyboard, given the chance and she may have done so on this occasion as she has caused me problems in the past by sitting on keys that alter the appearance of the screen etc. Someone suggested there might be a loose connection within the laptop socket, but could this happen spontaneously?
All suggestions welcome. Many Thanks.
Freddles