Can this laptop be saved???

[bobbybrady456]

My sister gave me a laptop that was not working, a Comapq CQ50. I put in a new battery but no dice. When I plugged in the adapter to charge it up I only get a green light where the adapter plugs into the laptop, the button on the front that is suppose to turn on and show that the battery is being charged does not come on, it came on for a second and went off. I charged it overnight anyway but when I pushed the button to turn it on nothing happened. I took out the adapter and it did turn on for about a minute. The fan sounded like a blender and the screen was a fuzzy light green with lines toward the right, about a 3 inch band of lines. I have a new motherboard I can put in it that is compatible but I assume the LCD is shot also. Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

 

[hairlessupportmonkey]

I think a new laptop might cost less! ;-)

ACSS - SME
General Geek

 

[bobbybrady456]

Yeah, it's not the worth the trouble to even open it up, I think I'll sell it on Ebay for parts.

 

[Sympology]

Just a very quick test.
Does it boot without a nbattery in it?
Does it work with a 2nd screen attached?

Robert Wilensky:
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[bobbybrady456]

I used a new adapter and it started to charge the battery so I let it sit for a few minutes. It still wasn't turning on so I removed the adapter, it turned on and the splash screen came up asking for a password, etc. The screen slowly started to fade and lines started appearing so I'm going to charge the battery while I am at work. I have to get the password also from my niece so hopefully I will report back here later with an update. Is the reason it won't power up with the AC adapter a motherboard issue? Thanks for all of your help.

 

[bobbybrady456]

When I got home I did the following

1. unplugged the adapter and the computer was working fine.
2. I had it turned on for about ten minutes and it said it had 87 percent of battery power.
3. I left it on for a while and then shut it down
4. I plugged in the adapter and booted it up, it booted up fine but.......quickly the screen started to fade with a lot of lines.

Not sure what to do next. Thanks.

 

[rclarke250]

Does it work with an external monitor connected? If yes, then looking at LCD/inverter, if not, most likely it's a bad motherboard. Considering the age of unit, and what you want to do with it, it may be worth putting some time and parts into it. But most likely not, as you can get a decent laptop for under 400.00 USD.

 

[bobbybrady456]

The monitor looks fine if I'm only using it with a battery, do you still think it's the lcd? The computer has no problems at all if I'm only using the battery and the adapter is not plugged in. Once I plug in the adapter the screen starts to fade.

 

[bobbybrady456]

Also want to add that when I plug in the adapter to the laptop it is a bit loose. Might need to be re-soldered? The light where I plug in IS solid green but loose.

 

[cdogg]

Several possibilities:

1. male connector on the end of the power cord is damaged
2. power cord itself is damaged (sometimes you can't tell...a pinched cord may have internal damage but look fine on the outside)
3. power brick needs replaced
4. female connector on motherboard is damaged
5. short is occurring on the motherboard
6. overheating issue

If you really want to invest in this laptop (not sure I would), replacing the power brick is the cheapest place to start. It would knock out the first three possibilities. Also it's worth pointing out that a damaged power cord can still charge the battery, just at an inconsistent rate that can be affected by movement.

Since it runs fine on battery for a while, I doubt it's an overheating issue, but you never know...

-Carl
"The glass is neither half-full nor half-empty: it's twice as big as it needs to be."

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[cdogg]

Just noticed that you already tried a new power adapter. Are you 100% positive the Volt (V) and Ampere (A) ratings on the power brick match what the laptop requires? If so, then motherboard would be the next step. If not, then you can try replacing the brick, but there may already be damage to the motherboard.

 

[bobbybrady456]

Thanks, will try a new motherboard, I already have one that is compatible, now just need to open it up. I have fixed laptops but not in a long time. I need to remove the keyboard right? Thanks.

 

[rclarke250]

Oh, you'll be removing everything. Might not have to remove the LCD, but sometimes it makes it easier, and it's just a few screws on the hinges, and remove the cables, careful with the wireless antennas as they are in the lcd and run down to the main board. but you have to remove the keyboard, and the wristrest/touch panel. Remove all of the drives, cpu/heatsink fan,and memory. also the wireless adapter will have to removed, along with bluetooth if it is separate.
There should be a video on youtube to show you how to do it.

 

[bobbybrady456]

Thanks, will look for the video. You would think they would design these things so parts could be replaced easily.

 

[gbaughma]

Thanks, will look for the video. You would think they would design these things so parts could be replaced easily.

No... they want you to consider it "Disposable".


Just my 2¢

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