TechSpot - PC Technology News and Analysis

Laptop won't power on?

If your laptop won't power on or stay on, check a few things:

1.Ensure your battery is holding power. Some laptops will auto shut-off if the battery won't hold a charge. In that case, replace your battery and retry. Check your charging lights or indicators to see if your laptop is getting power and charging.

2.Check your AC to DC converter (the little black adapter you plug in your AC outlet.) This converts AC power into DC power. Is it abnormally hot? If so, it is probably burned out. Replace it. Note- high heat is not a true indicator of malfunctioning. It can be dead and cold as well. No power indicators on your laptop could be a sign of a dead or bad converter also. Converters WILL get hot (this is normal.) If it is REAL hot (to touch), then this is not good.

3.Check your power cord. Are there nicks or cuts? If so, unplugg it from the AC power and repair with electrical tape- better yet, replace it. Many computer salvage stores carry power adapter cords. They're cheap.

4. Check your laptop lid switch. If it is broken, you may have power but your screen may not come on. This is usually a little button or mechanism located close to the lid hinge that turns on or off your screen when your lid is open or closed respectively. Normally the operator does not push this button. These are fragile and broken easily on some laptop models. Sometimes these can be fixed, more often they will require replacements. If you aren't an expert repair person, get a technician to repair/replace it for you. Opening up laptops is a very delicate operation and much more difficult to repair than desktops. It may be worth it to spend the money for repair.

5. If you have tried these easy solutions and it still won't power on, then your problem lies elswhere. You may have an internal power switch or voltage regulator problem.. Internal problems will require professional help.

Also, if your laptop powers on, but nothing is shown on the screen, it may be that the screen backlight or invert has gone bad. If you shine a light on the screen and are able to see something running (barely), then there's no reason to replace the entire screen (which is expensive), but with a little research you can figure out how to get the replacement parts for the backlight and inverter; there are also online guides for opening up the laptop and replacing these specific parts.

For example: http://www.fonerbooks.com/laptop_8.htm

This whole site has some good information, and links to purchasing the equipment: http://www.lcdpart.com/doc/ccflmeasure.html

This is a good company for laptop repair and for laptop parts. I highly recommend them:

http://www.impactcomputers.com/

Thanks for all that good information. I will do some investigation per your suggestions. It might take me a little time, but I will get back to you all and let you know.
Thanks again,
RPC

I have a Gateway MX8715 Notebook just over a year old and conveniently out of warranty. Not booting up. Can a boot disk help? I will follow suggestions above. But only one red light flashing with battery in and power chord in. W/O battery, red light does not flash. Any ideas?

I have not had any luck with my computer, so I can't give you any suggestions.
I am a novice stuff.
Sorry, RPC

Other than removing the CMOS battery then reinstalling it, The motherboard may be at fault

I have the similar problem

fyz,
what is your laptops make and model number? If you have a similar problem, what do you plan to do about it?

Guys:

I replaced the CMOS battery on this laptop and now it refuse to start. The orange power light appears on the front edge of the laptop. Touching the power-button does nothing.

Even tried the super-secret hard-reset button on the bottom of the device. The orange power light cycles when I do a hard-reset, which indicates to me that something is dead..... just not sure what, because all I did was swap the CMOS battery.

Sheesh, I am pulling my hair out and my GF is pissed. Please help.

-Marc

Pull out the Battery and disconnect the AC adapter... Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds. Put the battery back in and try powering up the laptop

Removed the battery and power supply cable, operned laptop, pressed and held power button for 30+ seconds, replaced battery and power cable, orange power light (e.g. it's plugged in appears, as normal) pressed power button, no reaction.

Ugh.... any other thoughts?

hey guys
im new to the forum and saw that you all know your stuff
i have my friends hp compaq nc6000 laptop to mend but im totally confused what the problem could be.
she told me that the entire system just shutdown on her, and wouldnt turn back on.
when i looked at it, the system turned on (well the cpu fan and hdd worked) but nothing came on screen, looking at the power lights the power light didnt turn on but the charger light did? then all shutdown again after around 5 seconds.
the charger wasnt even in and the battery was full. even plugging the charger in, it did the same
Ive checked the battery, charger, hdd, ram and screen and theyre all fine
reset the bios, still the same
which leads me to think its either the cpu or gpu
has anyone any ideas what it could be?
thanks for your time

I suggest to check the AC adapter with a multimeter

This is not a discussion forum. Post guides only.