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Laptop will not turn on, zero sign of power at all

Started by cralor , Dec 18 2012 08:49 PM

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27 replies to this topic

#1 cralor

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Posted 18 December 2012 - 08:49 PM

I was using my laptop like normal when all of a sudden it turned off, instantly.

I tried turning it back on, but nothing happened. I was connected to my power adapter at the time. I noticed the power adapter's indicator light was no longer lit. I unplugged and plugged it back into the wall and the indicator light came back on. As soon as I plugged it into my laptop's power port, the light went out. I tried taking out the laptop's battery, as well.

I have a friend with the same laptop model (to the T), and tried his power cable to no avail (same behavior as mine). He even tried my power adapter with his laptop, and it is working fine.

There is absolutely zero sign of power to the laptop. What could be the cause, and what additional steps of troubleshooting can I take?

Thank you.

 

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#2 Artrooks

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Posted 19 December 2012 - 10:36 AM

The first thing that comes to mind is the power jack. This is where the A/C adapter plugs into the computer to charge the battery and provide power to the motherboard. Over time the connection inside the jack can loosen or break.
  • You can try to gently move the A/C adapter where it plugs into the computer in a side to side and circular fashion looking to see if the charging indicator light on the computer momentarily lights.
  • If the indicator light is seen, the connection is loose.
  • If nothing happens, it's possible that the connection has completely broken.

Regards,
Brooks



 

#3 cralor

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Posted 19 December 2012 - 12:56 PM

Hey, thanks for the reply! I'll try this out.

However, if this was the case, wouldn't battery power still function? (Aren't they not related?)

I say this because not even the battery (it has charge) can power up the laptop.

EDIT: Tried this, but no luck. Why would the power adapter stop supplying power as soon as it enters the A/C port (the indicator light turns off)?

Additionally, I pulled open the laptop last night and unscrewed everything. Myself and the same friend with the equivalent laptop looked at it and did not see anything peculiar. In fact, the laptop still looked brand new inside, with no dust or anything whatsoever. We pulled each port in and out as well (to be able to open everything anyway), so we did re-seat the power port in the process.

Edited by cralor, 19 December 2012 - 01:17 PM.

#4 Artrooks

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Posted 19 December 2012 - 01:56 PM

I made the assumption that if the power jack were to fail completely, the battery would no longer charge, but as long as the battery had some stored power, the laptop would continue to function. Once the battery was drained completely, the computer would power off and stay off.

If the battery has power, the laptop should show signs of life; startup and run or at least attempt to power on. You could be looking at a more serious problem such as a damaged motherboard.

Is the computer still under warranty?

Regards,
Brooks



 

#5 cralor

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Posted 19 December 2012 - 06:44 PM

Right. We're on the same page :)

There is no signs of life, so my thoughts were on the Motherboard as well. I guess my misunderstanding lies in that the laptop simply "died". I was opening a new chrome tab, browsing a forum post when it simply just shut off for good. I had moved my location, holding the laptop, potentially 60~ seconds earlier, and had been playing with the Windows bootloader over the hour.

The computer is not under warranty, having expired this past July. I can reinstate the warranty for $208, providing me with One-year of service. I could then have Dell repair my laptop. Is there any other options you recommend?

Thank you.

#6 Artrooks

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Posted 19 December 2012 - 09:04 PM

None that I can think of.

Regards,
Brooks



 

#7 cralor

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Posted 19 December 2012 - 09:06 PM

Alright. I will have to access this option then.

If you think of anything, please let me know. Thanks for your assistance.

#8 MrBruce1959

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Posted 20 December 2012 - 01:49 AM

Hello Cralor and Welcome to Bleeping Computer.

I have an idea that might help us out with a process of elimination.

As you stated in your post, your friend has the Same exact laptop make and model number as you do. If this is the case, I'd like you to ask your friend if they object to you placing their fully charged battery into your laptop to see if it powers up again.

If they are willing to let you try it, do so.

Please let us know the results as this will tell us what is working and what isn't.

Thanks in advance.

Bruce.
I currently Have 35 Years Licensed Professional Electronics Repair Experience - OMG, am I getting old!
I Am Currently Attending Three Rivers Community College in Norwich, CT. Studying For An Associate Degree In "Computer Science Technology"
Summer break is finally here!

Bruce.

#9 cralor

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Posted 20 December 2012 - 03:48 PM

Bruce,

Appreciate the reply.

I actually did try my friends battery, to no avail. Additionally, I tried my battery with his laptop, and everything worked fine.

Thanks,
Chris

#10 coxchris

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Posted 20 December 2012 - 06:12 PM

Hi Chris,

So your battery is working in his laptop.

Than it your power brick (converter) or the DC input jack or your Motherboard

Please test your Brick using a multi-meter using this article http://www.ehow.com/how_5058768_test-laptop-power-supply.html exactly

It should be on DC Volts and say 20VCD or what ever is on the sticker

If that reads correctly on the sticker you can be asure of the Brick and power cord.

Take out your battery and plug in it directly into the laptop

If it powers up correctly were bypassing the battery. Meaning that the battery cant power the laptop due to shorted connectors on the motherboard and can be only power though the AC.

Which means that it would need to be repair to use the battery.

Edited by coxchris, 20 December 2012 - 06:33 PM.

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#11 cralor

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Posted 22 December 2012 - 03:53 PM

Both my battery and power brick function correctly on my friends laptop. Why would I need to test them if I know they are both in working condition?

#12 MrBruce1959

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Posted 23 December 2012 - 12:15 AM

Cralor I see in your posts above that you mentioned the Dell brand name, so I will assume your laptop is a Dell computer brand name laptop. (Please correct me if I am in error)

Can you please post the Model number or any P/N numbers you see on the laptop's bottom panel?

Once I have this information, I want to look at a schematic diagram of the laptop's internal connections and circuitry layout and then I'll advise you further.

Thanks in advance.

Bruce.
I currently Have 35 Years Licensed Professional Electronics Repair Experience - OMG, am I getting old!
I Am Currently Attending Three Rivers Community College in Norwich, CT. Studying For An Associate Degree In "Computer Science Technology"
Summer break is finally here!

Bruce.

#13 cralor

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Posted 23 December 2012 - 02:14 AM

Thanks for the reply and additional effort.

Yes, you are correct. The laptop in question is the Dell Inspiron 14R. Specifically, N4110.

Thank you.

#14 MrBruce1959

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Posted 25 December 2012 - 01:35 AM

I came up with a service manual, however the odd thing is the manual's index says N4110 but the front cover says M4110, so I am a bit confused here. Perhaps a misprint on the cover page?

I am providing a link to a PDF document, you'll need Adobe reader to view this document.

Save this PDF to your desktop and look through it a bit and let me know if this applies to your specific laptop model.

http://downloads.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_laptop/esuprt_inspiron_laptop/inspiron-14r-n4110_service%20manual_en-us.pdf?c=us&l=en&cs=&s=gen

Upon your answer being a possible yes, I'll offer more information your way.

If it is incorrect, I'll have to search a bit further.

Bruce.
I currently Have 35 Years Licensed Professional Electronics Repair Experience - OMG, am I getting old!
I Am Currently Attending Three Rivers Community College in Norwich, CT. Studying For An Associate Degree In "Computer Science Technology"
Summer break is finally here!

Bruce.

#15 cralor

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Posted 25 December 2012 - 12:18 PM

Bruce,

This is it.

Thanks,
Chris
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