Laptop Won't Charge..

Ya got a cheapy meter Danno?

Set it to the DC range that the power supply puts out to the lappy, and stick the little probes in the output of the power supply, and see if it puts out (that was funny right thar)

DJ Dan said:

What's the most likey cause?

My sister's ancient laptop won't charge you plug the charger in and nothing happens. I've already figured it's not the battery as even without a battery having the laptop being plugged should make it run.

Mom wants to get it fixed for her but I don't want to order a new charging cord, spend the money, and have it be the main board in which case it would be better just to buy a new laptop.

So, roughly what are the chances of it being the power cord which physically looks okay or it being the motherboard?

If it's helps it's a Compaq M2000.

Thanks,
Dan

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Battery could be shorted & some laptops won't run unless there is a working battery in it.

As Rick said get a meter and check the Charger then the battery.

Does it work in AC mode?
Ive seen laptops have the center pin snap and it wont run in either battery or ac...

After you have checked the charger and battery, if you're feeling adventurous, do the following:

Open the PC . With the AC cord inserted and plugged in, find the low from the power output after AC input. This is usually a wider land ( the silver lines on the board that connect up the circuitry). Black probe there, and red on the high side ( this is assuming the charger is also the AC input, and is converted to DC BEFORE entering the PC- there will be a box of some sort on the cord where the conversion is made).

Start at the entry point. If you have proper DC voltage, the charger AND connection are fine. If you don't, it could be the connector ( assuming that you already checked the charger.)Now follow that hi side ( no need to move the black probe) as long as it goes until bridged ( meaning that a component is in series on the hi side- the trace stops at one end and starts at the other). There should be voltage all along the trace to that point. If there is, than the problem is on the main board somewhere after that first component. If there is a place on the trace where there is no voltage AFTER finding voltage at the entry point, BEFORE THE FIRST component break, there is probably a small break in the trace which can be bridged with thin wire and solder.

If it's on the main board, and you are feeling REALLY adventurous, look for heat damage ( discoloration, cloudy epoxy coating, actual burns). If you see any, chances are that the component directly above it fried, and merely needs to be replaced. Don't know what the part is? Well, assuming that you have soldering ability, remove it and bring it to your local electronics store.


Power problems are rarely associated with expensive ICs. If it's a component, it's usually a diode, resistor, or regulator. Most cost around a buck- maybe two.

I had a friend whose laptop showed the same symptoms... it was a Compaq. After lots of probing, I popped open the casing and found that the power jack had broken off of the motherboard. The only fix (according to Compaq and confirmed by my local repair guy) was to purchase a new motherboard. My friend opted to junk the whole laptop.

B-Sharp said:

I had a friend whose laptop showed the same symptoms... it was a Compaq. After lots of probing, I popped open the casing and found that the power jack had broken off of the motherboard. The only fix (according to Compaq and confirmed by my local repair guy) was to purchase a new motherboard. My friend opted to junk the whole laptop.

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Which, of course, was horsehockey. The power jack or connector is one of the easiest and cheapest fixes. Even if the lands (connections) were TORN from the motherboard.

I know I'm being redundant, but if one is going to be in a business that relies on electronics, it's a REALLY good idea to take, at the very LEAST, a basic electronics course. Saves money, saves time out of service, and prevents people from bullsh***ing you.

JoeChartreuse said:

Which, of course, was horsehockey. The power jack or connector is one of the easiest and cheapest fixes. Even if the lands (connections) were TORN from the motherboard.

I know I'm being redundant, but if one is going to be in a business that relies on electronics, it's a REALLY good idea to take, at the very LEAST, a basic electronics course. Saves money, saves time out of service, and prevents people from bullsh***ing you.

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I agree with you 100% Joe.

My desktop refused to boot, I took it to my 'puter guy, He said "motherboard is junk" $480 later it was working again.

I had the same problem happen, took it to the guy down the street.
he pulled it apart ON ThE SPOT....and tried a few things..Sure as chit....
Had it fired back up in 5 min....

Said some components needed to be reseated.......cost me $5 dollars.
I told him about the "other guy" he laughed and said i was ripped off...

I've had this happen again not too long ago, I tore it apart on the Pool Table at the bar. and had it booted up in 5 Min...

The locals thought i was a genius for being able to rip a computer apart like that.....

I was like a midget ninja........I was sooo quick!!!!