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    Z81Ka (A4Ka) Problem

    Discussion in 'Asus' started by ac1221, Aug 5, 2008.

  1. ac1221

    ac1221 Newbie

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    My problem is that the laptop will only boot correctly on battery power. If i have the AC adapter plugged in during BIOS, it will either freeze or change to a black screen with one row of white pixels at the bottom. Plugging in a CRT shows the same thing.

    I have updated the BIOS to the newest version on the ASUS site.

    Once it has gone through the BIOS and started loading windows,i can plug the adapter back in and it will run just fine.

    The battery is probably shot, for the past 2 years it has been plugged in all the time, and almost never unplugged to use the battery. Once I unplug the AC, it will last about 1-2 minutes before the laptop shuts off. Windows always says 21% remaining, Charging. and stays there.

    What would be the most probable cause for these?

    Could it be a failing AC adapter?
    When I hook a multimeter up it reads 19.4 volts, and the adapter is rated at 19V.

    Any help is greatly appreciated.
    Thanks.
     
    ac1221, Aug 5, 2008
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  2. E.B.E.

    E.B.E. NBR Procrastinator

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    What happens if you remove the battery, plug in the computer, and try to start it?

    (to eliminate the batt as a possible cause)
     
    E.B.E., Aug 5, 2008
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  3. ac1221

    ac1221 Newbie

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    same as if there was a battery and adapter together. freezes with no battery attached.
     
    ac1221, Aug 6, 2008
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  4. E.B.E.

    E.B.E. NBR Procrastinator

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    Sorry for getting back so late on this.

    It looks to be some kind of hardware or firmware fault. I would say it's hardware, firmware faults don't just "develop" unless you changed your BIOS recently.

    If you still have warranty, it's a good idea to send it in. But I doubt you do...

    Otherwise it may be either the battery or the motherboard. Adapter is of course another possibility. I don't know which would be the first culprit... maybe it's best to just live with it? Rather than pay a lot of money for changing hardware that may not even be the problem...
     
    E.B.E., Aug 8, 2008
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