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Laptop not charging/turning on

  • 22-01-2013 12:54am
    #1
    delta36
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 921 ✭✭✭


    Howdy folks
    As the title says, I have a friends laptop that refuses to charge/turn on. When I press the power button, the power button flashes rapidly for a few seconds, then fades and dies. And it's not flashing in the usual "motherboard problem" way. I've used a different (working) power plug on the laptop and the same thing happens. However, when I put in a different battery from another, similar laptop, the laptop runs fine. I've stripped the laptop down and had a look at the motherboard, and everything is connected, and nothing seems to be off (no really obvious scorch marks or the like).
    Basically: laptop won't charge/turn on on mains power, runs fine on battery.
    What are my options for dealing with this? I'm thinking it may be a problem with the charging jack on the side of the laptop, purely because that seems to be the only part that could be causing trouble. Would ordering in a replacement jack and installing it be enough to fix this? Is there anyway beforehand to confirm where exactly the problem is ocurring? For example, two points on the motherboard I can check with a voltmeter to see if power is going through, or not? Is there some other possible explanation besides a faulty powerjack?
    Thanks in advance.


Comments

  • #2
    thenightrider
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,647 ✭✭✭thenightrider


    Check to see what happens with just the power and no battery also with the other battery does the laptop charge the other battery ?


  • #3
    heffsarmy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 911 ✭✭✭heffsarmy


    "However, when I put in a different battery from another, similar laptop, the laptop runs fine"

    If it works fine off the other battery then most likely you need a new battery.


  • #4
    delta36
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 921 ✭✭✭delta36


    @thenightrider/heffsarmy: Forgot to mention in the main post that the laptop does not turn on plugged into the mains with the battery removed, which is why I'm led to believe it's an issue with the charging port.


  • #5
    mordeith
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,278 ✭✭✭mordeith


    delta36 wrote: »
    @thenightrider/heffsarmy: Forgot to mention in the main post that the laptop does not turn on plugged into the mains with the battery removed, which is why I'm led to believe it's an issue with the charging port.

    From what I know some laptops need the battery installed in order for the 'circuit' to be complete which may explain why it won't power on when the battery is out


  • #6
    delta36
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 921 ✭✭✭delta36


    mordeith wrote: »
    From what I know some laptops need the battery installed in order for the 'circuit' to be complete which may explain why it won't power on when the battery is out

    I have the same laptop myself, and after checking, it doesn't need a battery installed to run off the mains.


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  • #7
    HelpWithIT
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 276 ✭✭HelpWithIT


    Deifinitely sounds like the DC Jack, do a continuity test, you will need some soldering skills or of it is a DC Jack Cable then it's just a matter of replacing, also check any plastic housing/side walls of the DC Jack


  • #8
    delta36
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 921 ✭✭✭delta36


    Thanks to all for the replies. I used a multimeter to test where the DC jack connects to the motherboard and found there IS power going through it at that point. I saw on this link that another potential problem is a specific fuse on the motherboard. I located this and tested it and found there was no power going through it. It seems this fuse is the cause of the trouble, but I'm not entirely certain. If this fuse was blown would the laptop still run on battery, as mine is? Are there any other potential reasons that I may be missing?


  • #9
    mordeith
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,278 ✭✭✭mordeith


    I had a similar problem recently but I didn't have access to a spare battery to check if it would work with it in. Have a look at the thread here. It may have something that might help you out.


  • #10
    delta36
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 921 ✭✭✭delta36


    mordeith wrote: »
    I had a similar problem recently but I didn't have access to a spare battery to check if it would work with it in. Have a look at the thread here. It may have something that might help you out.

    Thanks for that mordeith, I've had a read through, it's shown me that there are quite a few parts on the motherboard that could affect DC power but not battery! I've had a quick scan over the motherboard and there's nothing on mine that appears to be noticeably charred or burnt. I guess I'm going to have to dig around on the internet for a replacement fuse.


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