Problems with getting power to my laptop?

Question

Okay this is most likely why it is not working, for the longest time I used my laptop like a desktop computer... you know keeping it on for LONG periods of time... it would heat up and yah.. (Yah I know it was a stupid thing to do) and after a while the laptop wouldn't work with out the power cord being plugged in; it would no longer run off the battery power. Also I had to start keeping it elevated by putting books under it or else it would just shut down on me, or if the plug fell out it would shut down on me. Also the light on the power card doesn't even light up anymore... so I can't even start up my laptop...

I am thinking two things are wrong with it, first the battery is probably bust and second the power cord probably needs to be replaced, I already got a new hardrive for it, so I don't think that is the problem. So do yah guyz think it is just the battery and power cord I need to replace or is there something else?

I am using a hp pavilion zx5000

Answer 1

Diagnosing this is guessing at this point. You could have any number of problems with your laptop. As for leaving it on all of the time, I doubt that caused any problems. Electronic engineers design components to have power going through them.

If you have a voltmeter, the first thing you should check is to see if power is getting to the plug that goes into the computer. Read on the power supply what the proper voltage is and compare that to your reading. If you do not have a voltmeter, take just the power supply to Radio Shack and have someone there use a voltmeter to check it.

Another potential problem is the jack in the computer might have come loose. This happens frequently due to overheating. The heat causes the solder to melt making for a loose connection to the motherboard. The solder cools once you turn off the laptop allowing the solder to solidify. Doing this over and over can cause the solder to become brittle and eventually stop making contact altogether. Your repair may be as simple as removing the old solder from the pins on the jack and flowing new solder onto it.

Your motherboard may have a fried component, but that requires a bench test to diagnose. If that is the case, replacing the motherboard usually costs more than buying a new laptop. If you have to buy a new one, disassemble the old one and sell the parts on eBay. Some parts for some models sell for good money.

Other possibilities exist, but they are too numerous to list. You may find some notebook repair facilities that charge a flat rate for repairing your brand. Check out their reputation before you send them your computer.


Good luck!

Will D
Enterprise AL
http://www.notagz.com

Answer 2

I leave mine on a lot too, I keep the fan up off the desk surface with a small box to increase the airflow and keep the temperature down. The only thing that does concern me is the HDD. The bearings in these do wear out from spinning all the time.

Answer 3

If you are still under warranty I would contact HP, but I think its both the battery and charger. Only because it won't run on batteries or on ac power. Using it as desktop computer wasnt wrong and that shouldn't have caused these problems.