ZX5000 powering down...

I've had my ZX 5000 for a yr now and had little problems with it. Only problem that I had was with my battery not charging but they replaced it with no problem. Anyway when I have my laptop running through the AC adapter (w/o the battery) my laptop tends to just power down. Usually it will power back up but sometimes I have to wait a min. or two before it can power back on. I contacted HP about this and they sent me a new AC power adapter. For a week I had no problems but last night it happened again so I'm thinking theres something going on with my machine. Has anyone ever had this problem with an HP laptop and what did you do to fix/help the issue? Thanks in advance.

 

we have the same laptop. I never ran mine on power without the battery. Does that help the battery somehow? Ill give it a try on mine tonight. Ill see if mine powers down.

 

The problem could be related to the AC jack on the notebook. It could be loose and when moving the system or when it heats up, it could be shorting out.

If the unit powers off again, try wiggling the AC cable on the notebook and see if it comes back on. If so, then the AC connector is loose and needs to eithe rbe replaced (if it's not soldered onto the mainboard) or the systemboard needs to be replaced. Since the unit is out of warranty, that's gonna cost a quite a bit.

-Vb-

 

It's still in warrenty. I actually have to re-activate it soon because I think it is over in a week or so. As for the port being lose; I don't think that's the problem because I'm not moving the wire or anything around my laptop when it powers off. Some times it takes several min. to power back up which makes me think it is overheating??

 

Try running MobileMeter to see what temp your notebook is running at before it shuts down. You can get it from the link below. This will let you know if it's actually overheating or if it's something else.

http://www.geocities.co.jp/SiliconValley-Oakland/8259/

If it is overheating:

1. Try cleaning out the vents with some compressed air
2. Make sure your fans are rotating and actually cooling your notebook
3. Make sure there's nothing clocking the vents when operating
4. Try propping up the back of the notebook by an inch to give better air flow ujnder the unit.

If none of these fix the issue, you'll have to send the unit in for service. You can try replacing the thermal paste on the CPU, but since it's under warranty, I'd recommend against it.

-Vb-

 

I'm having this exact problem. My HP vx5000 is about a year and a half old. And last month it started to refuse charges. I have to wiggle the AC connecter around for a while to get it to charge. Often times using the weight of a book or something else to get it JUST right. Anyway's my problem is getting worse and worse. The comp is no longer under warranty and most shops want over $100.00 just to bring it in/ diagnose the prob. Is there a work around for this (I read that somethings can be powered buy USB off a powered USB hub) or is there a chance I could fix it myself? If so, how?

Anyhelp would be greatly appreciated.

 

Slak,

You may want to check to see if it's the actual AC COnnector on the mainboard or if it's the AC connector of the actual AC adapter. See if you have another adapter or if you know someone with a similar adapter you can try. This will save you a whole bunch if it's just the adapter.

If it's the systemboard, the only way to fix something like this is to re-solder the connector back onto the systemboard. But, this may not be 100% the problem. It could be the internal pin on the AC Connector on the motherboard. If you look at the jack, you see a pin in the middle. If this is breaking off, seen this happen, then no amount of solder could fix it. You could buy a new connector and solder it to the systemboard, but that could damage the system even more, possibly kill it.

I have never heard of a system being powered via USB. You can run devices from a power USB hub, but not the system. Some need a power USB hub because the non-powered (passive) hubs don't provide enough power to these or multiple devices at one time.

Your options:

1. Try another adapter from a friend (don't buy it as it may not solve the problem)
2. Re-solder the connector (if it is just a loose connector) back onto the systemboard yourself (if you want)
3. If it's the pin, then you'll need a power connector for this unit and you can replace yourself (if you want)
4. Goto eBay and buy the same (working) systemboard and replace it yourself or get someone to install for you
5. Send the unit to HP or an HP authorized repair facility for repair (the most expensive route, but you know it's guaranteed to work, plus it's covered for 90days (DOA warranty)).

-Vb-

 

Venombite,
Thanks for the advice. I'll get started on this as soon as possible. I let you know how it comes out. BTW I think devices was the operative word when I was thinking about powering through a USB hub. Thanks again for the help.

 

I have a zv5000 and am having the same problem. Please let me know what action you take and if it works

 

SaID,

I had a similar sounding problem with my previous HP, and it was definately the fault of the cooling fan. It simply wasn't keeping the machine cool enough and it would power itself down, I guess as a security feature to keep everything from overheating.

I fixed this problem three ways:
1. I blasted the fan with some compressed air. Over the 2 1/2 years I had it, a TON of junk had accumulated in there. This kept the laptop running business apps with no trouble.
2. For gaming, I bought a CoolPad from Xoxide.com. It was USB and ran three fans underneath the system; this fixed the problem completely. Whenever I was "docked," the system ran without a hitch.
3. I sold the system to someone who claimed they could fix it for 400 bucks

Hope this helps. I see Xoxide no longer offers the coolpad I had before, but they have similar ones available.

P.S. I had CompUSA give me a price quote on fixing the cooling fan...800 bucks. If you're out of warranty, the 20 dollar coolpad is a lot cheaper.