Maker Pro
Maker Pro

Laptop won't turn on

P

Peter Allen

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi

I have a Toshiba Satellite 1000 laptop which was plugged into the wall
(battery-in) all day yesterday which has been its usual behaviour for
the past few months. I restarted it thru Windows XP's shutdown menu,
left the room to get a drink, and upon my return it was off.

Since then I've not been able to turn it on. No LEDs on the laptop
itself ever come on, although they do flash very quickly (you really
have to look to see it) when I plug the power cord into the laptop.

I've tried taking the battery out and plugging the laptop into the
wall, holding the button down for ages, etc. It's not simply
hibernating/asleep.

It uses a 3.16A 19V DC power supply, the strangest thing i've noticed
is when the power adapter is plugged into the laptop, from that same
area on the laptop i can hear a quiet high pitched fluttering sound,
like a little bird is in there. Also, there's an LED on the power
brick which is on while the brick is plugged into the wall but turns
off once the other end is plugged into the laptop -- I'm not sure if
that's normal. Also, I've never plugged the wrong power brick into it,
so that's not the problem.

I'd basically like to know what I should try with this laptop, as it's
out of warranty and I'm probably going to have to fix it myself. To me
it doesn't sound like it's the power brick that needs replacing, it
sounds more like an internal component, or (hopefully) a fuse
somewhere?

but then again I wouldn't be posting here if I knew what I was talking
about :)

If anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd be extremely
appreciative.

--Pete
 
H

Harr Lee

Jan 1, 1970
0
Peter Allen said:
Hi

I have a Toshiba Satellite 1000 laptop which was plugged into the wall
(battery-in) all day yesterday which has been its usual behaviour for
the past few months. I restarted it thru Windows XP's shutdown menu,
left the room to get a drink, and upon my return it was off.

Since then I've not been able to turn it on. No LEDs on the laptop
itself ever come on, although they do flash very quickly (you really
have to look to see it) when I plug the power cord into the laptop.

I've tried taking the battery out and plugging the laptop into the
wall, holding the button down for ages, etc. It's not simply
hibernating/asleep.

It uses a 3.16A 19V DC power supply, the strangest thing i've noticed
is when the power adapter is plugged into the laptop, from that same
area on the laptop i can hear a quiet high pitched fluttering sound,
like a little bird is in there. Also, there's an LED on the power
brick which is on while the brick is plugged into the wall but turns
off once the other end is plugged into the laptop -- I'm not sure if
that's normal. Also, I've never plugged the wrong power brick into it,
so that's not the problem.

I'd basically like to know what I should try with this laptop, as it's
out of warranty and I'm probably going to have to fix it myself. To me
it doesn't sound like it's the power brick that needs replacing, it
sounds more like an internal component, or (hopefully) a fuse
somewhere?

but then again I wouldn't be posting here if I knew what I was talking
about :)

If anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd be extremely
appreciative.

--Pete

Did you measure the voltage from the power brick both with it plugged into
the laptop and with it unplugged from the laptop? I would think that the led
on the power brick should be on anytime it is plugged into the wall.

Harr
 
P

Peter Allen

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi Harr, Thanks for your reply

I didn't do that, however what I did do was purchase a new power brick
and tried powering up with that, to no avail.

I'm guessing it must be something inside the laptop.

Can you give me any ideas as to what to look for?

I'm really puzzled as to what has caused this, as there were other
devices plugged into the same power strip which are fine, and the brick
itself was not damaged.
Any advice would be awesome, thanks again

--Pete
 
P

Peter Allen

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi Harr, Thanks for your reply

I didn't do that, however what I did do was purchase a new power brick
and tried powering up with that, to no avail.

I'm guessing it must be something inside the laptop.

Can you give me any ideas as to what to look for?

I'm really puzzled as to what has caused this, as there were other
devices plugged into the same power strip which are fine, and the brick
itself was not damaged.
Any advice would be awesome, thanks again

--Pete
 
J

James Sweet

Jan 1, 1970
0
Peter Allen said:
Hi Harr, Thanks for your reply

I didn't do that, however what I did do was purchase a new power brick
and tried powering up with that, to no avail.

I'm guessing it must be something inside the laptop.

Can you give me any ideas as to what to look for?

I'm really puzzled as to what has caused this, as there were other
devices plugged into the same power strip which are fine, and the brick
itself was not damaged.
Any advice would be awesome, thanks again

--Pete

Things do fail sometimes, you could look in the laptop, though unless you
have a multimeter, soldering equipment, and the skills to use them to
diagnose the charging circuit and power supply, you're probably out of luck.
 
W

Winston

Jan 1, 1970
0
Peter said:
Hi

I have a Toshiba Satellite 1000 laptop which was plugged into the wall
(battery-in) all day yesterday which has been its usual behaviour for
the past few months. I restarted it thru Windows XP's shutdown menu,
left the room to get a drink, and upon my return it was off.

Since then I've not been able to turn it on. No LEDs on the laptop
itself ever come on, although they do flash very quickly (you really
have to look to see it) when I plug the power cord into the laptop.

I've tried taking the battery out and plugging the laptop into the
wall, holding the button down for ages, etc. It's not simply
hibernating/asleep.

It uses a 3.16A 19V DC power supply, the strangest thing i've noticed
is when the power adapter is plugged into the laptop, from that same
area on the laptop i can hear a quiet high pitched fluttering sound,
like a little bird is in there. Also, there's an LED on the power
brick which is on while the brick is plugged into the wall but turns
off once the other end is plugged into the laptop -- I'm not sure if
that's normal. Also, I've never plugged the wrong power brick into it,
so that's not the problem.

I'd basically like to know what I should try with this laptop, as it's
out of warranty and I'm probably going to have to fix it myself. To me
it doesn't sound like it's the power brick that needs replacing, it
sounds more like an internal component, or (hopefully) a fuse
somewhere?

but then again I wouldn't be posting here if I knew what I was talking
about :)

If anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd be extremely
appreciative.

--Pete
Toshiba support: http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/su/su_askIris.jsp says:

This document offers a general list of things you can do if your Toshiba Portable PC won't turn on
when you press the power button.

* Make sure the battery has a full charge.
* Try plugging the AC adaptor into the computer.
* Try plugging the AC adaptor into a different outlet.
* Try pressing the power switch for ten seconds.
* Make sure the power switch is not physically locked off, like a cover protecting it.
* Try removing the battery and the AC adaptor, then plug only the AC adaptor in and try
powering on.
* Make sure you have the proper AC adaptor, and only use the one that shipped with the computer.
* Look at the lights on the computer for clues. Are you getting AC power? Is a light blinking?
Check the manual or look for another technote if you have a blinking light.
* Is the computer turning on, but the display is blank or being routed to a monitor that you
can't see? If so, try using the Fn+F5 keys.
* If the computer is on, but no display or won't power off, you can press and hold the power
button for ten seconds (until it powers off), then try powering on again.
* Make sure you remove all extra hard ware, especially extra memory even if it shipped that way
from the dealer. The memory could be loose, or could have gone bad.

--Winston
 
J

James Sweet

Jan 1, 1970
0
Winston said:
Toshiba support: http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/su/su_askIris.jsp says:

This document offers a general list of things you can do if your Toshiba Portable PC won't turn on
when you press the power button.

* Make sure the battery has a full charge.
* Try plugging the AC adaptor into the computer.
* Try plugging the AC adaptor into a different outlet.
* Try pressing the power switch for ten seconds.
* Make sure the power switch is not physically locked off, like a cover protecting it.
* Try removing the battery and the AC adaptor, then plug only the AC adaptor in and try
powering on.
* Make sure you have the proper AC adaptor, and only use the one that shipped with the computer.
* Look at the lights on the computer for clues. Are you getting AC power? Is a light blinking?
Check the manual or look for another technote if you have a blinking light.
* Is the computer turning on, but the display is blank or being routed to a monitor that you
can't see? If so, try using the Fn+F5 keys.
* If the computer is on, but no display or won't power off, you can press and hold the power
button for ten seconds (until it powers off), then try powering on again.
* Make sure you remove all extra hard ware, especially extra memory even if it shipped that way
from the dealer. The memory could be loose, or could have gone bad.

--Winston

That sounds like a list of things their phone tech support would tell you.
Something is obviously shorted in the power supply in the computer, since
the adapter shuts down when plugged into it.
 
H

hemyd

Jan 1, 1970
0
Toshiba support: http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/su/su_askIris.jsp says:

This document offers a general list of things you can do if your Toshiba Portable PC won't turn on
when you press the power button.

* Make sure the battery has a full charge.
* Try plugging the AC adaptor into the computer.
* Try plugging the AC adaptor into a different outlet.
* Try pressing the power switch for ten seconds.
* Make sure the power switch is not physically locked off, like a cover protecting it.
* Try removing the battery and the AC adaptor, then plug only the AC adaptor in and try
powering on.
* Make sure you have the proper AC adaptor, and only use the one that shipped with the computer.
* Look at the lights on the computer for clues. Are you getting AC power? Is a light blinking?
Check the manual or look for another technote if you have a blinking light.
* Is the computer turning on, but the display is blank or being routed to a monitor that you
can't see? If so, try using the Fn+F5 keys.
* If the computer is on, but no display or won't power off, you can press and hold the power
button for ten seconds (until it powers off), then try powering on again.
* Make sure you remove all extra hard ware, especially extra memory even if it shipped that way
from the dealer. The memory could be loose, or could have gone bad.

--Winston

I am not familliar with Toshibas, but the laptops I know have a small backup
or BIOS battery. If there is one on yourToshiba and it is easily accessible,
remove it, leave it out for a while with no main battery and no charger
connected, then turn it on again. The remaining possibility is that the hard
disk is defective. Try taking it out (normally quite easy for the common
user), then try turning the laptop on without it. If it works, then it is a
defective hard disk. If after removing the backup battery and the hard disk
it still doesn't boot, then unfortunately it will be an expensive system
board fault. Unless you have some experience and equipment to fix those, I
am afraid you haven't got a hope of getting it going...

Henry.
 
E

Electrik Fan Club

Jan 1, 1970
0
Peter Allen said:
Hi

I have a Toshiba Satellite 1000 laptop which was plugged into the wall
(battery-in) all day yesterday which has been its usual behaviour for
the past few months. I restarted it thru Windows XP's shutdown menu,
left the room to get a drink, and upon my return it was off.

Since then I've not been able to turn it on. No LEDs on the laptop
itself ever come on, although they do flash very quickly (you really
have to look to see it) when I plug the power cord into the laptop.

I've tried taking the battery out and plugging the laptop into the
wall, holding the button down for ages, etc. It's not simply
hibernating/asleep.

It uses a 3.16A 19V DC power supply, the strangest thing i've noticed
is when the power adapter is plugged into the laptop, from that same
area on the laptop i can hear a quiet high pitched fluttering sound,
like a little bird is in there. Also, there's an LED on the power
brick which is on while the brick is plugged into the wall but turns
off once the other end is plugged into the laptop -- I'm not sure if
that's normal. Also, I've never plugged the wrong power brick into it,
so that's not the problem.

I'd basically like to know what I should try with this laptop, as it's
out of warranty and I'm probably going to have to fix it myself. To me
it doesn't sound like it's the power brick that needs replacing, it
sounds more like an internal component, or (hopefully) a fuse
somewhere?

but then again I wouldn't be posting here if I knew what I was talking
about :)

If anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd be extremely
appreciative.

The power brick has most likely developed a fault. These devices are rarely
made by the laptop manufacturers and are often bough in bulk from places
like China. These supplies are very sensitive to capacitor failures, and it
sounds like this is what has happened to yours (the LED going out when
connected to the laptop is the clue). Is it possible to try the laptop with
another brick? 19 volts is fairly standard, but do check. The connector
may differ though.

A cheap third party unit should be relatively easy to obtain. Alternatively
you may prefer to go with the vastly more expensive Toshiba part, but it
won't be any better.

Ian.
 
I

ILAH

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi Allan,

The problem that I understand so far, is some how related to your CEMOS
battery. As I know one of my friend got the same problem and he fix it
with buying new CEMOS battery. So you should try through this way maybe
it brings good outcome.

Good Day.
 
ROFL @ CEMOS!!! Sorry, I just got a good laugh out of that.

But seriously, your problem has nothing to do with your AC adaptor, or
your hard drive, or your _CMOS_ battery. Sounds like you blew a
component onboard inside the laptop. Most likely a capacitor or
transistor. I've heard even the smallest caps and transistors make
sounds similar to a bird, as you described, after being blown. Get
yourself a good multimeter and the schematics for the laptop and get
busy. Actually, you might be able to figure out what blew visually,
look for anything that was burnt. It is most likely more trouble than
it's worth to fix though. Good luck.

_________________
Beeeeeyotch!

Get a free 2.8GHz laptop
http://www.pctech4free.com/default.aspx?ref=5296
 
ROFL @ CEMOS!!! Sorry, I just got a good laugh out of that.

But seriously, your problem has nothing to do with your AC adaptor, or
your hard drive, or your _CMOS_ battery. Sounds like you blew a
component onboard inside the laptop. Most likely a capacitor or
transistor. I've heard even the smallest caps and transistors make
sounds similar to a bird, as you described, after being blown. Get
yourself a good multimeter and the schematics for the laptop and get
busy. Actually, you might be able to figure out what blew visually,
look for anything that was burnt. It is most likely more trouble than
it's worth to fix though. Good luck.

_________________
Beeeeeyotch!

Get a free 2.8GHz laptop
http://www.pctech4free.com/default.aspx?ref=5296
 
J

James Sweet

Jan 1, 1970
0
ROFL @ CEMOS!!! Sorry, I just got a good laugh out of that.

But seriously, your problem has nothing to do with your AC adaptor, or
your hard drive, or your _CMOS_ battery. Sounds like you blew a
component onboard inside the laptop. Most likely a capacitor or
transistor. I've heard even the smallest caps and transistors make
sounds similar to a bird, as you described, after being blown. Get
yourself a good multimeter and the schematics for the laptop and get
busy. Actually, you might be able to figure out what blew visually,
look for anything that was burnt. It is most likely more trouble than
it's worth to fix though. Good luck.

He said he already tried a new adapter so that's obviously not the problem,
and the laptop is clearly overloading the adapter causing it to shut down so
the problem is obviously not related to the cmos either. This is clearly a
case of a shorted component in the power supply, the chirping is from one of
the inductors as the unit repeatedly tries to power up but detects the short
and shuts down.
 
P

Peter Allen

Jan 1, 1970
0
James said:
He said he already tried a new adapter so that's obviously not the problem,
and the laptop is clearly overloading the adapter causing it to shut down so
the problem is obviously not related to the cmos either. This is clearly a
case of a shorted component in the power supply, the chirping is from one of
the inductors as the unit repeatedly tries to power up but detects the short
and shuts down.

Thanks very much for your replies everyone!

I have pulled the laptop apart however nothing looks or smells burnt.

James: Is the kind of fault you're talking about an easy fix for an
electronics repair tradesperson? I fear a new power supply from
Toshiba will cost more than I'm prepared to spend on a 3yr old laptop.
A bit of a shame since it's still perfect for my needs, but what can
you do!

Again, thanks to all for your time and help :)

--Pete.
 
J

James Sweet

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have pulled the laptop apart however nothing looks or smells burnt.

James: Is the kind of fault you're talking about an easy fix for an
electronics repair tradesperson? I fear a new power supply from
Toshiba will cost more than I'm prepared to spend on a 3yr old laptop.
A bit of a shame since it's still perfect for my needs, but what can
you do!

Again, thanks to all for your time and help :)

--Pete.


Well in theory yes, though we're talking about a laptop here and sometimes
just getting to the board in question can be a chore and then you're dealing
with tiny surface mount components. I'd say this particular problem should
be repairable though.
 
M

Mike Kennedy

Jan 1, 1970
0
If it were me I'd just sell it on ebay or buy one with a broken screen on
ebay and swap parts out...
 
Top