Inspiron 1521 adapter vs battery

Follow the steps given below. (Please be careful when handling computer electrical components like batteries and AC Adapters)

• Remove the battery and hold down the power button for few seconds (to drain all remaining power)
• Power up the computer without the battery with the A/C adapter plugged in.
• Wait for few seconds and plug the battery back in

After a few tries the computer should start charging normally. The amber battery stops blinking and turn green when fully charged.

I'd say that you have exhausted your options. You can try to isolate the power on problem by removing your your memory modules, hard disk drive and see if it at least stays powered on. Here is a link from Dell for your laptop's manual:
ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_laptop/esuprt_inspiron_laptop/inspiron-1521_Owner%27s%20Manual_en-us.pdf

Remove the battery from its compartment on the side of your Dell Inspiron laptop computer.

Remove the power adapter from its plug on the side of the Dell Inspiron (if your laptop is currently plugged into a wall outlet).

Press down and hold the "Power" button on the laptop for one to two minutes. This will dispel the excess electrical current that is built up inside the laptop.

Put the battery back inside the compartment of your Dell Inspiron.

Plug your power adapter back into the side of the Dell Inspiron. Press "Power." Your laptop computer will now turn on.

hope this helps

you need to by a new battery

I see possible failure as the following:

1. The power control strip on the Palmrest Assembly (The actual button under the hinge cover)
2. The motherboard, even though the system partially functions under the DMD button, that is a very limited function of the system

The ambar lights are warning you the battery is becoming to dead, it means in a short time, if it has not happens now, the battery won't retain the charge anymore, it is time thinking in a replacement if you use your laptop without plug in the power outlet.

get a new power supply..be prepared for half baked answers..india calling.
only from Dell

The battery has an internal failure (Most likely a bad cell) While the battery works, the resolution for the LED indication is to replace the battery. Batteries are a consumable item and generally, batteries have a life of 300 to 500 recharge/discharge cycles before replacement is necessary.

On the ac adaptor, look for a green light that will turn on when you plug it into the wall outlet, if its on that means the ac adapter working. If you get a green light on the ac adapter but then the green light goes away when you plug it into the laptop then that means the laptop has a bad motherboard.

If you plug the ac adapter into a wall outlet and get no green light then that means the ac adapter is bad and you would need to get another one.

just remove and start with out battery by plugging in........