Best way to diagnose laptop battery/charging issue.

[ComputerRepairTech]

I don't usually do local computer repair but due to word of mouth I suddenly find myself with several laptops.

However there is one situation where I have 0 experience with. Its a HP DV9000 laptop with some off brand charger that geek squad gave them. Customers complaint was that the battery would not hold charge. I ordered a battery on amazon for like 15 bucks and gave it to them. They later come back stating that this battery won't hold charge either.

I have been lucky enough to never come across this in the past but looks like that luck is over. I do own a multimeter but I have never actually used it. I was thinking maybe I should just disconnect battery and turn on computer while its plugged in and try to pick up with the multimeter if the battery port is receiving electricity? The new battery kept the laptop on for a good while I think it simply isn't being charged. I havent gotten home yet to start and get any more information. Normally I would wait and get more info for you guys but with the weekend coming up the amount of people browsing the forum drops quite a bit from what i've seen.

Any tips on diagnosing this situation would be appreciated.

Edit: The charger they have is:
brand "Rocketfish"
model RF-BPRAC4
DC Output 15-20V 5A & 90W MAX
AC Input 100-240V~2.5A(2,5A), 50-60Hz

 

[NYJimbo]

According to me learning is something that you can keep on through out the life and as far as business is concerned you can keep learning through out the year.

+1. I might have phrased it differently but said pretty much the same thing.

 

[Boston Pro Comp Serv LLC]

First I'd say DV series. However yes you can remove the battery and test the contacts when it's plugged in to see if they are getting juice. What exactly the juice should be I can't say, usually that's as far as I have to go it's either getting juice or it isn't. Take a quick look at the adapter for it, it should probably be a 90W instead of a 60 or 65W.. if it's the correct watts try a different one. Next I'd be looking at the motherboard knowing it's a DV series.

Edit: noticed you listed the spec of the adapter, I'd try another anyhow.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

+1. I might have phrased it differently but said pretty much the same thing.

not sure I quite follow what it is you guys are trying to say? I was just asking for tips on methods to diagnose the situation.

 

[Kitten Kong]

Jimbo was replying to a potential spammer. If you notice Hazels posts, they are cryptic to say the least, have no bearing on the thread, and we think is waiting to get to the magic number, then start spamming the forum, or adding spam links in their sig.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

yeah it did look like a spammer to me, the +1 threw me off.

 

[JustInspired]

...first of all take out battery from laptop and lick it, if it tastes salty then it can work.

Must try this on-site. Should raise some eyebrows.

Please tell us more about this battery taste test. Mine has a distinctly sweet taste with a hint of polyvinyl chloride. What does that mean?

 

[dombooth]

Must try this on-site. Should raise some eyebrows.

Please tell us more about this battery taste test. Mine has a distinctly sweet taste with a hint of polyvinyl chloride. What does that mean?

Don't know what you're on about, mine tastes like chicken.

Dom

 

[HFultzjr]

Must try this on-site. Should raise some eyebrows.

Please tell us more about this battery taste test. Mine has a distinctly sweet taste with a hint of polyvinyl chloride. What does that mean?

DO NOT TRY THIS! It iz number one way NAS and FBI virus iz transmitted. You could become hospitaly sick. With little to no cure. I know how to git rid of it if you make this mistake and get your tounge infected.

 

[nlinecomputers]

I'm sure if I search on the right site I can find some hot licking battery videos.



Even for a spammer that has got to be the weirdest post I've seen on here.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

I cant seem to take measurements with the multimeter on any of the ports the batteries plug into. Even on the working laptops. Perhaps I am doing something wrong?

 

[phaZed]

I cant seem to take measurements with the multimeter on any of the ports the batteries plug into. Even on the working laptops. Perhaps I am doing something wrong?

You may be, but keep in mind the laptop charging circuit doesn't turn on and supply voltage until the battery is recognized and identified. Battery charging circuits can be a real PITA. If you have a bad battery perhaps you could rip it apart to expose the circuit board and battery cells and test from there? That would active the charging circuit, I would think.

 

[BillMoney]

Almost all HP's have built in diagnostics, most (not all) have a battery test. I would recommend running that.

This may also be worth a look: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/battery_information_view.html