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    Laptop Won't Charge

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by TimothyK, Dec 11, 2011.

  1. TimothyK

    TimothyK Notebook Enthusiast

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    I am NOT having the "plugged in not charging" issue mine is different.

    I spilled pop on my keyboard. I bought a new keyboard and after a tear-down and thorough inspection there appears to be no liquid damage inside the laptop.

    I bought an external keyboard to use while I wait for the new keyboard to be delivered. I disconnected the old keyboard but left it in my laptop to protect the internal parts. After booting up it gets to windows but I noticed it does not charge. Even if I try charging without turning my laptop on.

    The only way it will charge is if I attach the cords for the keyboard. Anyone know how to get around this? If i attach the keyboard I get constant reports from multiple keys, making it impossible to use.
     
    TimothyK, Dec 11, 2011
    #1
  2. charlie22911

    charlie22911 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Will it turn on if the brick is plugged in by battery removed?
     
    charlie22911, Dec 11, 2011
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  3. TimothyK

    TimothyK Notebook Enthusiast

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    No it will not turn on without battery. While the keyboard is unplugged anyway.
     
    TimothyK, Dec 11, 2011
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  4. maxheap

    maxheap caparison horus :)

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    but it turns on while the keyboard is plugged and the battery is off?
     
    maxheap, Dec 11, 2011
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  5. TimothyK

    TimothyK Notebook Enthusiast

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    I haven't tried. Should I?
     
    TimothyK, Dec 11, 2011
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  6. charlie22911

    charlie22911 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yes, try that. If that works try unplugging the keyboard while the laptop is powered on with no battery...

    I can see no reason why it should be doing this, the keyboard is not a carrier for the supply power... Shoot all it should be is 2 or 3 layers of plastic sheeting with the relevant traces printed on... No IC's at all.

    Unless *maybe* you have the media keys across the top unplugged as well?
     
    charlie22911, Dec 11, 2011
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  7. maxheap

    maxheap caparison horus :)

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    definitely try it, because it should NOT work, otherwise this is a very very weird electrical problem :(

    the keyboard cannot be on until windows starts... is it a multifunctional thing, or just the basic keyboard?
     
    maxheap, Dec 11, 2011
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  8. TimothyK

    TimothyK Notebook Enthusiast

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    ok, the keyboard is attached right now. and it is charging. the laptop would not turn on without the battery installed.
    weird things are happening from the keyboard being attached, but i am able to use the external keyboard to type atm.
    the media keys were attached or as far as i know I wouldn't be able to power on.


    ps. sorry for the delayed response. had a few more problems, fixed now.
     
    TimothyK, Dec 11, 2011
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  9. maxheap

    maxheap caparison horus :)

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    so when the keyboard is attached and windows is on, the battery is charged. if the battery is off (AC is on) then the laptop won't start (with or without keyboard), I am really stunned :(
     
    maxheap, Dec 11, 2011
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  10. TimothyK

    TimothyK Notebook Enthusiast

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    So what should I do now?

    I don't think I can play games or anything because the keyboard keeps sending reports (clicking buttons). When I first turned it on the "=" key was reporting constantly so in annoyance I ripped it off with a knife and solved that problem, but I don't know what buttons are reporting now. (just doing weird things like the mouse will randomly jump 1.5" to the right, the screen with instantly scroll up about 3"...etc.)


    Also I opened notepad and made a 4x3 grid of "@" and put the word editing cursor in the middle and it didn't move.
     
    TimothyK, Dec 11, 2011
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  11. maxheap

    maxheap caparison horus :)

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    man, is it under warranty?
     
    maxheap, Dec 11, 2011
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  12. TimothyK

    TimothyK Notebook Enthusiast

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    no I'm afraid not.
     
    TimothyK, Dec 11, 2011
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  13. TimothyK

    TimothyK Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have simply removed the affected keys so far.
     
    TimothyK, Dec 12, 2011
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  14. maxheap

    maxheap caparison horus :)

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    man, I wish I knew a solution for you, I am sure every single one of us thinks that way, but this is indeed stunning, I still cannot understand why it needs keyboard to charge, I would say the keyboard somehow is drawing more power than CPU+GPU (funny :D)... it is so weird that the brick actually works, but only if the keyboard is plugged... ? :eek:
     
    maxheap, Dec 12, 2011
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  15. TimothyK

    TimothyK Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yeah, it is weird. Thanks for trying. I will continue the way I am ATM. I can play games now and such. I will just leave the keyboard attached for now. I will re-assess when the new keyboard arrives.
     
    TimothyK, Dec 12, 2011
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  16. charlie22911

    charlie22911 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Not to be Mr. Negative, but it sounds like it could be a bigger issue; perhaps a microcontroller got wet somewhere? All it would take is one drop of fluid to initiate electrolysis to break/bridge connections and wreak electronic havoc.

    What I would do is closely inspect the motherboard for any components or traces that look discolored or corroded in any fashion with a magnifying glass.

    I hope everything works out, keep us up to date on any new breakthroughs or symptoms!
     
    charlie22911, Dec 13, 2011
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  17. TimothyK

    TimothyK Notebook Enthusiast

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    well I haven't had a problem since removing the affected keys. But I do agree it could be a bigger problem. I will check very thoroughly when I install the new keyboard.
     
    TimothyK, Dec 14, 2011
    #17