Laptop troubleshooting

[bingbongbiddley]

July 28, 2009 at 5:38 pm

Hi,

My laptop is behaving irrationally.

A few weeks ago it died – wouldn’t turn on, when plugged in the power light wasn’t lighting up. Not responding at all.

Then a couple of days later it just turned on again and was working fine. I checked the battery meter out of interest and it was around 85% so that wasn’t what died.

I knew my problems weren’t over and a week or so later he same thing happened again. It just wouldn’t turn on. No response whatsoever.

Then today when I can in from work I saw that the power indicator was orange meaning the battery was charging. I knew it would work when I pressed the power button, and lo, on it came.

What the hell is going on? Anyone had similar problems to this?

Someone suggested the ac adapter and battery had both given up the ghost at the same time, but surely they wouldn’t just decide to start working again?

Now I’m scared to turn it off.

Any advice, or expertise in this field would be mucho appreciato.

Go raibh maith agat.

Alan

[randomway]

July 28, 2009 at 6:53 pm

I had a laptop years ago that was behaving like that… needed a BIOS update. Ask someone to do it for you if you don’t know how to go about it. Worth a try before you would take it to a service.

[PeteTheBloke]

July 28, 2009 at 7:59 pm

Laptops are a pain. I normally advise people not to buy them because this
kind of issue is typical. Try removing the battery and running off the mains.

Belkin and other companies make a universal adapter for laptops which may be
worth a go – it’s not expensive compared to the branded ones.

A battery replacement can be pricey. But before you go for a new one
have a read around the web e.g. http://www.hardwarehell.com/battery.htm
so that you know what kind of issues may be causing the problem.

[Jody]

July 28, 2009 at 8:24 pm

Out of interest, next time it happens, remove the battery and hold the power button in for 10 seconds. Put the battery back in and see if it turns on then. I doubt this will work, but just to see. If this does work it means Windows isn’t shutting down correctly.

[bingbongbiddley]

July 28, 2009 at 8:48 pm

Thanks for all the constructive replies. I’ll look into all of that information.

Jody, Hopefully there won’t be a next time. :)

[richiehatch]

July 29, 2009 at 4:38 pm

Mac or PC….???? If its a Mac I might be able to help otherwise I haven’t a clue…!!!!

Richie