computer battery problem

[jackpilot]

need info:
I inherited a Dell laptop for Zero buck because the internal battery which keeps time etc is dead. Apparently the darn beast refuses even to react when the power cord is plugged in. That's what I was told.
Any hint from the pros?

[XOrionFE]

The internal battery is used to supply enough holding power for cmos settings.  A dead internal battery should not normally stop a computer from powering up.  It should normally power up but will require going into setup everytime without a battery.   You should be able to replace the internal cmos battery but sounds like it may have a bigger issue such as a bad power supply.

[Bob Reed]

What model Dell Jack?

[jackpilot]

Inspirion 1100...

[ak49er]

It should be a simple little wafer battery CR2032. It is a wafer thin battery, and reaplcement is simple asgently prying it out, and rpying it in. I have had these fail on my older PIII clients at regualr intervals, So I swapped them all out last winter.