Laptop Power Problem

[RatherDashing]

I'm having some computer problems and need some help.

My laptop is not powering on anymore. It is plugged in and the light on the power cord is on, but none of the lights on the actual laptop are on. I've tried fiddling with the cord, moving it to a different outlet, and holding down on the power button and I'm pretty much out of ideas.

For background, it is a Samsung R580 And is about three years old. Also the battery has been messed up for quite a while (it hasn't worked without being plugged in for the last year).

Can anyone recommend some possible fixes? Would a new battery help? Or can anybody recommend a good computer shop to take it to?

Thank-you CP!

[Traditional_Ale]

It sounds to me like your power pin has broken solder points to the motherboard, likely from bending or wiggling the power cord in the computer. I suggest placing an add on Kijiji, as any kid with any kind of basic electronics skills should be able to fix it. Maybe one of those guys that fix RROD'd Xboxes?

[photon]

Have you tried running it with the battery removed?

[RatherDashing]

I just tried without the battery, no dice.

[Wormius]

Is there a docking station that you can use that provides power through a different connection?

[RatherDashing]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Is there a docking station that you can use that provides power through a different connection?

No, I just have the power cord.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by RatherDashing

No, I just have the power cord.

Hmm. Do you have access to a
voltmeter? You could at least verify that you have power at the tip of your power cord where it connects to your computer. You can buy new power supplies from Memory Express pretty cheap if that's it.

[RatherDashing]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Hmm. Do you have access to a
voltmeter? You could at least verify that you have power at the tip of your power cord where it connects to your computer. You can buy new power supplies from Memory Express pretty cheap if that's it.

I don't. Do you think if I took it into a a repair place that they'd have some loaner cables or batteries that I could try?

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by RatherDashing

I don't. Do you think if I took it into a a repair place that they'd have some loaner cables or batteries that I could try?

I think Memory Express would let you test out another power supply on your laptop if you brought it with you.

Generally the light on the power supply just means that everything between the wall outlet and the circuit in the black rectangular box is good and producing 9 or 12 volts, but it doesn't mean that something between the black box and the plug that goes into the computer hasn't become discombobulated.

Anyway, try Memory Express and see if they have a power supply. You may have to buy it, but if it doesn't work you can return it pretty painlessly.

Or maybe Laptop Depot if those guys are still around...