Laptop power problem

Hi, having a problem with my Vostro 1000, hope someone can help.

I noticed yesterday that the laptop was indicating that it was on
battery power, as though the power adapter had become unplugged. I
reseated the connector, but it stayed on battery power. Checked that
the power adapter light was on, which it was (the green LED/neon on
the block itself, not the laptop light, which was not illuminated).

Took out the battery, tried to power-up with the adapter alone -
didn't power-up.

Haven't yet measured the voltage on the power adapter connector: I
understand that the centre pin is a power-rating indicator, and that
the DC voltage should be measured across the inner and outer faces of
the cylinder.

My problem is that I'm unsure as to how to diagnose the root of the
problem: since the power adapter isn't powering-up the laptop in the
absence of a battery, I'm thinking that it is implicated; however I'm
not sure if a main board problem (such as a broken charging/sensing
circuit) could account for both of these observations. Can anyone
advise on a good test, or otherwise advise on a reasonable approach to
solving this by procuring replacement components? By "reasonable" I
mean cheap, and with a fair chance of success.

As a first strategy, I'm going to see if I can find someone with an
adapter who can let me try it out on my laptop; but it's a fairly
specific item (HA65NS1-00), so I'm not confident of that. My next step
would probably be to procure either Dell or a 3rd party replacement
power adapter: they're cheaper than batteries, and a power adapter
failure could explain both problems (without requiring specialist
skills to try replacing the associated circuitry within the laptop).

So my questions a

1. Are there any further useful diagnostic tests that I could/should
undertake before proceeding with procurement?
2. What order would you suggest for a component replacement approach?
(I'm favouring adapter over battery, or anything else.)
3. Are 3rd-party adapters likely to be useful? I assume that they
would still be recognized - i.e. they will support the centre-pin
function. Are there any that are better in this respect than others?

Many thanks in advance of any advice or opinions on these.

Ron

On Oct 11, 4:51*am, sugnaboris wrote:
Hi, having a problem with my Vostro 1000, hope someone can help.

I noticed yesterday that the laptop was indicating that it was on
battery power, as though the power adapter had become unplugged. I
reseated the connector, but it stayed on battery power. Checked that
the power adapter light was on, which it was (the green LED/neon on
the block itself, not the laptop light, which was not illuminated).

Took out the battery, tried to power-up with the adapter alone -
didn't power-up.

Haven't yet measured the voltage on the power adapter connector: I
understand that the centre pin is a power-rating indicator, and that
the DC voltage should be measured across the inner and outer faces of
the cylinder.

My problem is that I'm unsure as to how to diagnose the root of the
problem: since the power adapter isn't powering-up the laptop in the
absence of a battery, I'm thinking that it is implicated; however I'm
not sure if a main board problem (such as a broken charging/sensing
circuit) could account for both of these observations. Can anyone
advise on a good test, or otherwise advise on a reasonable approach to
solving this by procuring replacement components? By "reasonable" I
mean cheap, and with a fair chance of success.

As a first strategy, I'm going to see if I can find someone with an
adapter who can let me try it out on my laptop; but it's a fairly
specific item (HA65NS1-00), so I'm not confident of that. My next step
would probably be to procure either Dell or a 3rd party replacement
power adapter: they're cheaper than batteries, and a power adapter
failure could explain both problems (without requiring specialist
skills to try replacing the associated circuitry within the laptop).

So my questions a

1. Are there any further useful diagnostic tests that I could/should
undertake before proceeding with procurement?
2. What order would you suggest for a component replacement approach?
(I'm favouring adapter over battery, or anything else.)
3. Are 3rd-party adapters likely to be useful? I assume that they
would still be recognized - i.e. they will support the centre-pin
function. Are there any that are better in this respect than others?

Many thanks in advance of any advice or opinions on these.

Ron

I bought an Dell adapter from eBay ($10 new) that I am still using.
The AC cord was crap, so I used the old one (plugs into brick).
Try to find a voltmeter or the same charger to borrow 1st.

On 11 Oct, 12:03, Bob Villa wrote:
On Oct 11, 4:51*am, sugnaboris wrote:



Hi, having a problem with my Vostro 1000, hope someone can help.

I noticed yesterday that the laptop was indicating that it was on
battery power, as though the power adapter had become unplugged. I
reseated the connector, but it stayed on battery power. Checked that
the power adapter light was on, which it was (the green LED/neon on
the block itself, not the laptop light, which was not illuminated).

Took out the battery, tried to power-up with the adapter alone -
didn't power-up.

Haven't yet measured the voltage on the power adapter connector: I
understand that the centre pin is a power-rating indicator, and that
the DC voltage should be measured across the inner and outer faces of
the cylinder.

My problem is that I'm unsure as to how to diagnose the root of the
problem: since the power adapter isn't powering-up the laptop in the
absence of a battery, I'm thinking that it is implicated; however I'm
not sure if a main board problem (such as a broken charging/sensing
circuit) could account for both of these observations. Can anyone
advise on a good test, or otherwise advise on a reasonable approach to
solving this by procuring replacement components? By "reasonable" I
mean cheap, and with a fair chance of success.

As a first strategy, I'm going to see if I can find someone with an
adapter who can let me try it out on my laptop; but it's a fairly
specific item (HA65NS1-00), so I'm not confident of that. My next step
would probably be to procure either Dell or a 3rd party replacement
power adapter: they're cheaper than batteries, and a power adapter
failure could explain both problems (without requiring specialist
skills to try replacing the associated circuitry within the laptop).

So my questions a

1. Are there any further useful diagnostic tests that I could/should
undertake before proceeding with procurement?
2. What order would you suggest for a component replacement approach?
(I'm favouring adapter over battery, or anything else.)
3. Are 3rd-party adapters likely to be useful? I assume that they
would still be recognized - i.e. they will support the centre-pin
function. Are there any that are better in this respect than others?

Many thanks in advance of any advice or opinions on these.

Ron

I bought an Dell adapter from eBay ($10 new) that I am still using.
The AC cord was crap, so I used the old one (plugs into brick).
Try to find a voltmeter or the same charger to borrow 1st.

Thanks Bob. I think that I've managed to source another adapter to try
out, just for diagnostics. I'll try it without the battery fitted
first, then with the battery. I should learn enough from that to go
ahead with some proper procurement.

I haven't probed in about the cylinder of the power connector yet,
because I wasn't sure if the 20V output could be expected when the
adapter was off-load. I reckon it will probably be there, as the other
electrode isn't a "sense" in the traditional meaning (voltage feedback
from output). My DMM leads are fine for size, though, and I can easily
check this.

I thought it likely that a broken AC input connection/lead would be
correlated with no light on the power adapter; there's no obvious
physical damage on any of the connectors or leads, in any case; but
I'm hoping that the trial of another adapter will confirm the problem
one way or another.

On Oct 11, 5:28*am, sugnaboris wrote:


I thought it likely that a broken AC input connection/lead would be
correlated with no light on the power adapter; there's no obvious
physical damage on any of the connectors or leads, in any case; but
I'm hoping that the trial of another adapter will confirm the problem
one way or another.

On most of today's circuitry...the LED on the brick would indicate a
secondary DC output (which, of course, doesn't mean the cord and
connector are Ok)

On Mon, 11 Oct 2010 05:28:56 -0700 (PDT), sugnaboris
wrote:

I think that I've managed to source another adapter to try
out, just for diagnostics. I'll try it without the battery fitted
first, then with the battery. I should learn enough from that to go
ahead with some proper procurement.

Indeed. I was going to suggest locating a 'pooter store with the
corresponding adaptor available, and saying "I'll buy it IF it
addresses the problem". That way, no loss. (We did something similar
in Vegas with a 3rd party adaptor when ours for a Vostro 1400 got
misplaced - we were concerned about compatibility).

I haven't probed in about the cylinder of the power connector yet,
because I wasn't sure if the 20V output could be expected when the
adapter was off-load. I reckon it will probably be there, as the other
electrode isn't a "sense" in the traditional meaning (voltage feedback
from output). My DMM leads are fine for size, though, and I can easily
check this.

I thought it likely that a broken AC input connection/lead would be
correlated with no light on the power adapter; there's no obvious
physical damage on any of the connectors or leads, in any case; but
I'm hoping that the trial of another adapter will confirm the problem
one way or another.

Your on the right track Generically the most probable cause is a
failed DC receptacle connection to the mainboard - although later
Dells don't appear as prone as some makes - followed by a failure of
the mainboard's circuitry. Eliminating the adaptor removes one
candidate.

On 12 Oct, 02:13, who where wrote:
On Mon, 11 Oct 2010 05:28:56 -0700 (PDT), sugnaboris

wrote:

I thought it likely that a broken AC input connection/lead would be
correlated with no light on the power adapter; there's no obvious
physical damage on any of the connectors or leads, in any case; but
I'm hoping that the trial of another adapter will confirm the problem
one way or another.

Your on the right track *Generically the most probable cause is a
failed DC receptacle connection to the mainboard - although later
Dells don't appear as prone as some makes - followed by a failure of
the mainboard's circuitry. *Eliminating the adaptor removes one
candidate.

Same symptoms with alternative adapter. With both adapters, laptop
powers on if input connector is held in position with a little side
pressure - indicating that the problem is likely to be on the input
connector, input connector assembly or the assembly mounting. I don't
yet know the construction inside the laptop (i.e. whether the assembly
is plugged or soldered) - the service manual doesn't appear to address
that point - so I will investigate with a little disassembly.

Unless anyone can enlighten me further...

On Tue, 12 Oct 2010 00:09:24 -0700 (PDT), sugnaboris
wrote:

On 12 Oct, 02:13, who where wrote:
On Mon, 11 Oct 2010 05:28:56 -0700 (PDT), sugnaboris

wrote:

I thought it likely that a broken AC input connection/lead would be
correlated with no light on the power adapter; there's no obvious
physical damage on any of the connectors or leads, in any case; but
I'm hoping that the trial of another adapter will confirm the problem
one way or another.

Your on the right track *Generically the most probable cause is a
failed DC receptacle connection to the mainboard - although later
Dells don't appear as prone as some makes - followed by a failure of
the mainboard's circuitry. *Eliminating the adaptor removes one
candidate.

Same symptoms with alternative adapter. With both adapters, laptop
powers on if input connector is held in position with a little side
pressure - indicating that the problem is likely to be on the input
connector, input connector assembly or the assembly mounting.

Sounds right.

I don't
yet know the construction inside the laptop (i.e. whether the assembly
is plugged or soldered) - the service manual doesn't appear to address
that point - so I will investigate with a little disassembly.

Unless anyone can enlighten me further...

haven't pulled our V1400 apart yet, so I have no first-hand experience
of what you will find, but I am convinced that there will be a
soldered bond of some kind rarther than just a plugged-in receptacle..

Earlier laptops had the connector held in place by the solder bonds
*only*. This resulted in fatigue faiures, exacerbated by the
introduction of lead-free solder. The next approach was plastic
locating "pins" throught he board, adding a degree of mechanical
stability. Some current machines also use a special alloy in place of
"normal" solders to provide a ruggedised bond, but that is still a
relative term. The forces sustained when the adaptor is connected and
sidewards stresses pplied still tests the bond pretty thoroughly.