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    Reviving a Notebook...

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by red_chief, Sep 23, 2004.

  1. red_chief

    red_chief Notebook Consultant

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    I have a Dell Inspiron 7000 laptop which turns off every now and then(as if you pull out the plug)
    I checked the cord, there is no damage whatsoever. I cleaned the connector with contact cleaner to be sure. It is a new targus adapter, so I ruled out a damaged power adapter as a cause.

    I have a battery but it is wornout (the laptop does not turn on if you remove it... despite that, I know it should be always on when the ac adapter is attached... so that rules out the battery)

    I checked if the fan is turned on... Yes it turns on after minutes of use and then turns off which is normal. So I pretty much rule out the overheating as issue. (Plus the fact that it turns off when after 1 minute use, 1 hour, 30 min, when it is just booting up... so it is pretty much erratic)

    I checked if it is a software or virus problem by doing a format and reinstalling it... But still same problem.

    I am not that good with computer hardware. But I theorize that it has something to do with the mechanism that switch the power from the AC adapter to the Battery.
    ( Before I have this same problem but when I bought a new battery it disappeared...only to comeback when my battery is completely discharged)...
    (It is a 4+ years old computer so wear and tear of internal parts cannot be ruled out)

    Is there such a part which do that mechanism?

    What can be the cause?

    Do you know any good technicians which repair at the least cost here in San Jose, California? (took a peak at the leading store repairs, it
    is quite expensive)
     
    red_chief, Sep 23, 2004
    #1
  2. Venombite

    Venombite Notebook Virtuoso

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    Usually when someone gets intermittent power offs like this, in most cases it's the AC jack. Because the plug is probably plugged in a lot or the connector is wiggled a lot while moving the system, it weakens the solder points. It's possible your AC jack is excessively loose or broken and loses contact intermittently. Give it a try, power on your system and then wiggle the AC jack (where connected to the notebook), does the power turn off? If it does, you need to get the systemboard replaced. It could be possible that the jack itself is replacable (some IBM Thinkpads). If it's out of warranty, you could try repairing it yourself. It may just be the solder points have broken, just re-solder and you're done. If you do it wrong, you could damage your whole system, so I'd just suggest you get a new systemboard.

    The reason why the problem went away when you got a new battery, is because the unit kicked into battery mode quickly and then back to AC without you noticing. That's why it just dies after the battery is completely discharged.

    -Vb-
     
    Venombite, Sep 24, 2004
    #2
  3. Col. Stevo

    Col. Stevo Notebook Consultant

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    Yes, that is indeed the problem most of the time. That's what happened to my former lappy, that caused my to buy the zv5000z. My old lappy got pushed back against the wall (by someone else) and it jammed the adapter where it goes into the back and cracked the solder on the MoBo. Of COURSE, it's more $ to fix it than the laptop is worth, after being 3 years old. I know 3 other people that this is the cause of their laptop's 'death'. This is like the ONE thing (besides a faster video card [ :p] ), that I wish was different about the zv5000z (and most other laptops, too) - to have the AC input jack on the SIDE instead of in the back. Chances are, red_chief, that if your lappy is more than a couple years old, that it'll cost more than the laptop is worth to fix it (but there are exeptions to that rule). You can always call Dell Support and ask how much it will cost to install a replacement MoBo in there. Good luck on that one.


    Cheers,

    Stevo

    zv5000z: Ath64_3200+ (2.0GHz) - 1GB DDR - 80GB 5400rpm - 64MB GeForce4 440 - 15.0" XGA (1024x768)
     
    Col. Stevo, Sep 24, 2004
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  4. red_chief

    red_chief Notebook Consultant

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    Thank you Col. Stevo and Venombite for your input.

    When the laptop is placed on a still area, it does not or infrequently shuts off. When I lift the laptop or move it, it turns off more often. The Ac jack maybe the fault as you said.

    I think this maybe the "power board"

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31534&item=5125400640&rd=1

    POWER SWITCH DELL INSPIRON 7000 7243D NEW PP

    Am I right?

    What are the other possibilities that may cause the same erratic power failures?[?][?][?]
     
    red_chief, Sep 25, 2004
    #4