Laptop Battery

aj9648

Hi

I have an old laptop (compaq nx7010) and I think the battery is completely knackered - basically when I put it into the mains for charging and turn it on I only get up to the Windows screen before it switches off

Is it even worthwhile me changing the battery as this may not even help solve the problem? Or resign myself that its on the scrap heap!!

Cheers

davb

If you cannot boot to Windows at all, try removing the battery from the laptop and starting with just the power lead plugged in. It doesn't actually need the battery to run.

aj9648

thanks - Just tried this and thought it had done the trick as it stayed on for a good 20 mins in Windows - I left it, did nothing - by the time I sat down launched internet and my documnets it died again

Any suggestions - or is it scrap heap time?

computershack

Two possibilities. First is the space between the heatsink and fan is clogged up with fluff - my favourite and every home sourced one I get for refurbishing seems to be clogged up.
Second is the cooling fan is duff (beware, fluff can sometimes stop it from turning)

Its not dying, its shutting itself down to prevent the CPU from frying. It takes longer with no battery plugged in because it runs cooler. You'll find that one corner feels quite hot and when you put your hand next to the heatsink exhaust, you'll feel the heat but no or very little breeze. You might also not hear the fan running as well.

It just needs taking to a place that repairs laptops and the fan/heatsink cleaning out and the fan operation checking. Usually when it gets that clogged up, its beyond the ability of a can of compressed air to clear. Should be no more than an hours labour for the cost as some require the whole of the laptop base to be removed to do this. I charge £20 to do it.