Mitac 8258 Laptop turned off, now wont turn on?

A couple of days ago I came home to find my laptop off. I had left it on all day uploading a file to my FTP server (nothing CPU intensive). Upon turning it on it wouldnt turn on, no lights, no nothing.

I started taking the machine apart and took out the hard disk, RAM to see if they were causing the problem. I found though that when I took out the CD drive it booted up perfectly fine. So I put the CD drive back in and all was well.

The next day I was using the laptop and it just turned off and wouldnt turn on. So I took out the CD drive and it turned on fine. I used it with the CD drive out for about 5 minutes and it turned off again.

Now no matter if the CD drive is in or out it wont turn on at all.

Ive tried 2 batteries and 2 different AC adapters but nothing. . Any idea what could cause this? I am guessing there is some kind of short circuit?

The motherboard looks fine (from what I can see after taking the user serviceable covers off) , nothing obvious is jumping out at me. Any ideas on what this could be?

Thanks

 

You could have an underlying motherboard issue. Use known good RAM/HDD and see if it shuts down. Also use a multi-meter and test the AC adapter.

 

It seems to have experienced a power surge/brown out that finished the M/B totally and/or the M/B power circuits.

Is the data on the HD still accessible on another system?

Does it work with only one stick of RAM or the other (try each slot individually with each stick you have available).

Is buying a new/used motherboard worth it for this system?

Just giving as many suggestions as I can think of - hopefully others can contribute better.

Good luck.

 

The HDD is ok, have put it in an enclosure and all the data is there. Ive tried with one stick of RAM and even no RAM but no go.

I have noticed though that the battery seems to discharge after a while and the battery charge light is coming on. Looks like its drawing some power even when sitting off.

 

The system should not be able to even boot up (even to the BIOS?) without at least one stick of RAM in.

Make a good copy (and depending how important it is; multiple copies) of the data before you let a 'specialist' near your system.

Also, ensure that you will only pay for a fully working system with no additional cost/charges (if you agree to let them fix it).

Be wary of 'let us see what we find when we open it up...' type of sales talk. A new system will be far cheaper in the long term than playing that game. Make them agree to a no-charge quote that they'll stick to.

They either know what needs to be replaced (and the cost to do it), or they don't.

I hope the issue is minor with your system and I hope your 'specialist' is professional and honest too.

Good luck.

 

Computers will not POST without memory. Some will beep and warn you that no RAM is installed, some will not, really depends on the motherboard/computer.

Did you try removing the battery and AC adapter and holding down the power buttons for 30 seconds? This resets the battery memory. Sometimes you get "stuck" and resetting it will make your laptop power on again.

 

Thanks for the replies

Ive got the hard drive with me and am putting an old hard drive in the unit as it goes off to the warranty company

To answer some questions - I left the laptop over night with the battery out and held down the button for 2 minutes before putting the battery back next morning. Still no dice.

I should find out tomorrow what the problem is, will post back with his response.

Thanks for all the advice

 

Okay!

Even with this bad turn of events for you, it sounds like you're in the best position to handle it with the best possible outcome!

Looking forward to your final results with this.

Good luck.