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Geek Culture / Ok, what does this mean exactly (computer trouble)?

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Mr Z
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Posted: 27th May 2009 23:41
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Hi all.

My laptop has started to get some problems. Power related problems. It does not appear to charge the battery, even on AC power. And recently it did not recognize the power cable... had to pull it in and out and so to make it go to AC power. Anyone knows what might be the problem?

Take care,
Mr Z.

There is no greater virtue, then the ability to face oneself.
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AlexI
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Posted: 28th May 2009 00:10 Edited at: 28th May 2009 00:11
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Maybe the AC adapter is broken. If its an HP one then you can expect this to happen, they will replace it for free though. I have to get 3 replacements for peoples HP Laptops.


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Mr Z
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Posted: 28th May 2009 00:21
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It is HP. Have thought of it, but then it should charge... I can always borrow a friends adapter and test it (he has the same laptop). Hope it works, and that it is just the adapter.

There is no greater virtue, then the ability to face oneself.
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Lemonade
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Posted: 28th May 2009 01:05
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A similar thing happened to my HP laptop! If I pushed the AC adapter too much into the hole in the laptop, it would stop charging. The only way to fix it was to hibernate, unplug and replug the AC, and then boot it up. But then my HD failed.

Anyway, good luck with your laptop.

Check out my tech blog below!
http://cooltech-sciencelab.blogspot.com/
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xplosys
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Posted: 28th May 2009 02:04
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Another common problem is the AC jack at the back of the unit loosing connection with the main board. This happens when people move or put away the laptop in the bag/case without unplugging it, or when the power cord is pulled/jerked around while still plugged into the unit. If you can wiggle the power cord a good bit right where it plugs into the unit, that might be your problem.

Unless you have a puppy or a cat, in which case check the length of the cable for chew marks.

Brian.

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Mr Z
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Posted: 28th May 2009 10:28 Edited at: 28th May 2009 10:38
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Ok, testing a borrowed adapter to the same computer model. Battery at 5.8 % and seem to be keeping that level. Not charging, that is. Will keep it plugged in for a while longer, and see if anything happens.

EDIT:

Ok, the computer say to me the same as before when I try to check the charging time. That it is unknown. This is annoying. Seem to not be the adapter, but rather the laptop itself...

EDIT 2:

Ok, I unplugged the cable and plugged it in again... and the laptop did not "find" it. It was still running on battery even with the AC plugged in. Had to unplug it and plug it in again to make it run on AC power. And it is not the same adapter, it is the one I just borrowed, and I know it works, because it works for the friend I borrowed it of.

Also, don´t know what this means, might be nothing, but the "power lamp" (or whatever it is called, it is a lightning bolt over it, so I assume it has to do with the power) blinks when the AC is unplugged, even when the laptop is turned off. It does not do that on my friends laptop, which is the exact same model.

xplosys, how do I know if it is the jack that is loosing the connection? I have not put it in a bag or anything with the cable in. I think I have moved it with it in, though (by carrying it and the adapter and all).

There is no greater virtue, then the ability to face oneself.
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NeX the Fairly Fast Ferret
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Posted: 28th May 2009 14:17
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Might be an internal power system failure. The lightning bolt shows power status; it goes solid when charging and flashes slowly when the system is running and low on battery.

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Lost in Thought
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Posted: 28th May 2009 14:29
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I have found your problem ... you have a HP laptop

Seriously though what is the model number? Some units have a charging board seperate from the power board. Some older laptops have a battery reconditioning process you can access through your bios which would explain an incorrect power level being reported if it needs running, but not the hanging in Battery mode when AC is applied.

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xplosys
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Posted: 28th May 2009 15:36 Edited at: 28th May 2009 15:37
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Quote: "xplosys, how do I know if it is the jack that is loosing the connection?"


With thumb and forefinger on the power plug (right where it plugs into the unit) gently push the plug up and down and side to side.
It should be snug and tight. If is feels loose or sloppy, it could be coming loose from the curcuit board.

Also, I just got this from HP... again.



Just saying, it could be a bad battery too. It happens. Not good news for me since I have about 20 - 30 units under warranty ATM.
If the unit is still under warranty, contact HP immediately. They can walk you through some tests and possibly determine the problem over the phone.

Good luck.

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Mr Z
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Posted: 28th May 2009 16:46 Edited at: 28th May 2009 16:48
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It seems to work now... I went down to the IT department of my school (the laptop is from the school, we borrow them while we are going there and then we can buy them quite cheap), and suddenly it worked. It might have been that they pulled the battery out and then in again. So for now it seems to work, and it seems to have been some sort of battery issue.

So I am glad it does not appear to be that the power jack is loosing the connection, that would be far worse, lol.

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David R
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Posted: 28th May 2009 16:50
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This may sound a bit odd... but the battery hasn't "grown" by any chance, has it? (As in, become slightly fatter or misshapen)

Because that's a classic sign for a damaged or malfunctioning battery - and could explain its refusal to charge / recognize the adapter (if it isn't fitting perfectly, the contacts may be unmatched occasionally etc.)

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