HELP!!Laptop not charging!!!

macman

Get the output from the mains adaptor checked out with a multimeter, any small independent electrical or computer shop can do this for you (please not at Comet though!).

CathWales

macman wrote: »

Get the output from the mains adaptor checked out with a multimeter, any small independent electrical or computer shop can do this for you (please not at Comet though!).

Comet is the nearest to me tho and I don't drive, tho there is a small computer shop near me so I could ask there? There is also a techie guy I know that may be able to help me (charges £20 an hour tho!) Why do you not advise asking Comet, will they charge a lot too?

I don't know much about pc/laptops workings-wise but I think I bravely located the battery compartment, i think the battery was attached to the battery cover, but then put it back without checking to see if it works without it on mains only as i knew the cover was exposed, but on reboot, the battery is showing as charging again. Should I get techie guy to take a look tomorrow as i know he will be in my building as he teaches 1-2-1.

hubert_cumberdale

i am thinking that if its an older style laptop they charge and use the battery at the same time

it maybe that the battery is broken and is discharging at such a fast rate that the charger can barely keep up

macman

Comet are a large electric retailer, they don't do repairs. I you just go to an independent and ask them to check the output because you may need to buy a new one from them, he'll do it for nothing-it's 30 seconds work.

CathWales

hubert_cumberdale wrote: »

i am thinking that if its an older style laptop they charge and use the battery at the same time

it maybe that the battery is broken and is discharging at such a fast rate that the charger can barely keep up

Laptop is about 3 years old, bought new. Its my first laptop so I don't know how it fairs with newer models, but I thought that was the idea too. Is it a better idea too use the laptop more without it being plugged in until the battery runs almost to empty? (I used to sometimes run it down til it shut down, but then found it crashed on start up!) but I thought keeping the laptop plugged in wouls keep the battery topped up, bad idea? I still have an old desktop the power pack of which died the day I bought the laptop. I only use the laptop now tho and never bought a new power pack for it. I am considering passing it on to someone who can use the parts next week and think somehow my laptop knows this and is testing me! I don't want to be left without any internet lifeline!

hubert_cumberdale

my really old dell one used to be plugged in 24 hours a day

after a while if you did unplugg it the battery would last 4 minutes untill eventually it was toasted.

keeping it plugged in means it will be charging the battery for ever which is never good

my new dell laptop even if left plugged in will stop charging the battery on its own once it full and wont start again till its about 10% probably designed to exercise the battery more

pamelamalcolm

I experienced this with my laptop, the verdict is my laptop is playing tricks on me then I shut it down and removed the battery and plugged it it, and it worked.

CathWales

OK the current situation is this: Last night the laptop was used on battery til it went down to 20% then I plugged it in (message, plugged in, not charging) i left it plugged in, but % dropped, so rebooted and it crashed! On start-up it said 0% but was still running and then climbed to 18%. I came offline and then a few hours later went back online and charged the laptop fully. Man came today and used a multimetre, it is using 11.1% output, when he said it should be 20% and said it could be the charger or battery and advised me to take it to independent shop in town. I don't know wether to wait and see if it acts up again before I buy new battery and charger or just get it sorted now lol.

macman

The multimeter test should just give a DC voltage figure from the pin of the adaptor-normally around 19V, but the exact output will be marked on the adaptor. So I don't understand his comment about '11.1% output'? If the DC voltage varies much from the rated output, then you need a new one.
Take it to the independent and they will retest it for you and sell you a universal adaptor if required.

CathWales

macman wrote: »

The multimeter test should just give a DC voltage figure from the pin of the adaptor-normally around 19V, but the exact output will be marked on the adaptor. So I don't understand his comment about '11.1% output'? If the DC voltage varies much from the rated output, then you need a new one.
Take it to the independent and they will retest it for you and sell you a universal adaptor if required.

Sorry, it was probably volts, not %! and 11.1.

Do you think I am better off looking for one for my HP laptop from the HP site or will the one from the pc store be the right kind?

Edit: I just looked on the HP sitr and couldn't find what I wanted, so will take a visit to the pc store.