laptop won't turn on.

[B-TECH]

I have a Gateway laptop. At first the battery kept going dead so it had to be on the charger all of the time. I went and bought a new battery but it still did the same thing, so I went and bought a new charger for it. It worked for about a week, and then it acted like the battery was dead again. Now it won't turn on at all even if it is on the charger. What does it sound like the problem is?

Thanks guys

 

[LunchBox]

Does it shut off as soon as you turn it on or after how long?
Does it post?

I can give you some suggestions but your troubleshooting does not say if it shuts off after a few minutes, or after a few seconds, etc

 

[nj_computer_repair]

I would start by re-seating the memory. Then I would check the system battery. Could also be a DC jack problem.

 

[Jm Boyd]

I would start by re-seating the memory. Then I would check the system battery. Could also be a DC jack problem.

Re-seating the memory and checking they system (CMOS) battery would be a waste of time. Improperly seated memory or a faulty CMOS battery could keep the machine from booting properly, but it would not keep it from powering up.

The power jack, damaged battery connection points, faulty power switch or faulty power supply are the most likely culprits

 

[abe]

Re-seating the memory and checking they system (CMOS) battery would be a waste of time. Improperly seated memory or a faulty CMOS battery could keep the machine from booting properly, but it would not keep it from powering up.

The power jack, damaged battery connection points, faulty power switch or faulty power supply are the most likely culprits

ditto ( and maybe some other problems too which i cant mention.

 

[iptech]

Re-seating the memory and checking they system (CMOS) battery would be a waste of time. Improperly seated memory or a faulty CMOS battery could keep the machine from booting properly, but it would not keep it from powering up.

The power jack, damaged battery connection points, faulty power switch or faulty power supply are the most likely culprits

He's eliminated the power supply, but otherwise I'd agree with that. One thing he hasn't tried is a new laptop, this would eliminate the power supply and battery as the problem.

 

[B-TECH]

Does it shut off as soon as you turn it on or after how long?
Does it post?

I can give you some suggestions but your troubleshooting does not say if it shuts off after a few minutes, or after a few seconds, etc

It does not post, does nothing. I had checked the ram, as well all other internalconnections. I also cleaned the battery connectors.

 

[blackburgpchelp]

Does it show a charging light or any other LED activity? Have you tested the charging fingers with a multimeter?

 

[Emockler]

Does it do anything with the battery out?
Can you check the battery with a meter? The power supply?

I have had to "reset" a battery by shorting out certain terminals momentarily. I think it was a Sony, but maybe a Dell. You should use google to find instructions for your specific battery before attempting this, but it's worth looking for, if anything just to rule out.

Other than borrowing a similar laptop to test your PS and batt, (or maybe a docking station), the above suggestions for the connector and switch hold true.

It may be a power circuit within the unit as well, if your lucky it's modular and separate from the system board, maybe you can ebay one.

 

[Laptop Repair]

You have changed battery of your Laptop, Just replace it to the older one because as you said there wasn't any problem with battery, Just replace it to the older one.

 

[usacvlr]

Warning! Top Secret! ...
Forgive me if someone already said this.
First, get a volt meter and check the output of the adapter.

If fine then:
Take the battery out.
Plug in adapter.
Take bezel off above keyboard.
Find the pressure switch that sits under the power button plastic.
There will be four solder joints holding it.
Take the negative side of your voltmeter and touch something metal on the chassis.
Put the positive probe on each of those four terminals, one after the other.
You should get 3 volts on one of them.
If you do then the system is obviously getting power which means assuming the other problems mentioned aren't it like loose memory, loose cpu etc then the dc-dc converter on the board is bad. This is the section that takes the 19volts or whatever from the adapter and splits it down and regulates it for the rest of the board. Usually thisi s board replacement time.

Without taking the bezel off you can do the following:
Take the battery out and unplug the system.
Get your ohm meter and measure between the positive terminal of the jack and the metal chassis. You should get either a readeing of 3k or around 300k depending on the system. If you get a short then either the jack is shorted which does happen or there is a bad bypass cap near the jack area of the board. If your show an open connection then there is either no connection to the board or the first IC is toast.