Laptop Troubleshooting - 6 Common Problems And How To Fix Them!
Posted: Friday, April 22, 2011
by tektime
TekTime IT Consulting & Computer Repair
Laptop troubleshooting is not just for the pros!
Laptop computers are extremely convenient for several reasons. They are easy to carry, and able to perform full computing tasks - making them perfect for the mobile workaholic or student. Another good thing about laptops is that they can be purchased relatively "cheap". Unfortunately, paying for laptop troubleshooting can be a pain, since they are harder to disassemble, compared to their easily accessible Desktop cousins.
Let us take a look at 6 common problems that most people encounter with these portable computers, and how to fix them!
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1.) My laptop is not charging when plugged into a wall outlet
a. The adapter is broken, check the cord plugging into the adapter to make sure it works and isn't damaged or shorted, check to make sure that if there is a light on the transformer unit of the adapter, that it is lit - if not the unit is faulty.
b. The DC jack connected to the laptop's motherboard is either damaged or the connection is loose. The DC jack needs to be replaced if damaged, and if it is loose it is recommended to buy a new DC jack and have it soldered to the motherboard.
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2.) Laptop does not work when it is unplugged from the wall, or doesn't stay charged long.
a. The battery is possibly dead. Laptop batteries have "memory" and eventually lose their capacity to hold a charge, which happens gradually over time. A good way of troubleshooting laptop batteries would be to "cycle" the battery, to see if it is able to hold a charge. If cycling the battery doesn't restore its ability to hold a charge, it is time to replace the battery. Cycling the battery can be done by allowing the battery to completely charge (to 100%) and then unplugging the battery once it is charged.
The laptop should then be used ONLY with the battery, until the battery has completely discharged (until it has between 5-10% remaining). This cycle should be completed many times, until the laptop regains its "memory". This method also helps laptop batteries to last much longer, so it is always best to make sure your battery remains disattached while using the AC adapter.
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3.) Laptop has a blinking cursor directly after booting successfully
a. Possible hard drive problem. Many times when a hard drive's data becomes corrupt (such as a corrupt partition table, or Master Boot Record), a computer will not boot past the LOGO screen. A drive can become corrupt for many reasons; including malware (viruses and Trojans), power surges, and improper shut down of a computer, to name a few.
More often than not, the hard drive will need to be reformatted, and Windows will need to be reinstalled. If the drive has physically failed, it will need to be replaced. Data recovery will be needed if valuable data was on the drive, that can't be recovered.
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4.) Laptop stops charging if I wiggle the adapter that plugs into it
a. This is a sign that either the laptop adapter has a shortage (see item#1 for details), or the DC jack has become loose or is damaged (see item#1 for details)
b. If the jack is intact and properly soldered to the motherboard, it is possible that the copper contacts embedded within the motherboard have been worn or are damaged. A new motherboard will be needed in this case, because any DC jack that is soldered to the motherboard will not help with the charging problem.
The copper contacts have "traces" that distribute power from the adapter, to the DC jack, to the motherboard; then carried to the components in the laptop motherboard to provide power. If the contacts are worn, the DC jack will receive power, but will not distribute the power properly, if at all. The motherboard will need replacing in this instance. If you have a warranty on your laptop, contact the manufacturer as this should be covered.
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5.) My laptop won't power on at all
a. The laptop could be overheating, if it worked properly prior to not powering on, but shut off. Allow at least 10 minutes for the laptop to cool off, then try powering it up again.
b. There is a possible motherboard issue, that is preventing the computer from powering on. The motherboard may need replacing. This could also include the actual power switch that is connected to the motherboard; it could be faulty and may need replacing (if possible).
c. See item#1, 2 and 4, as they will give you other laptop troubleshooting tips that may be applicable to a laptop that fails to power on.
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6.) My laptop shuts off after using for several minutes or so
a. The laptop is possibly overheating. Click here to read how to prevent and troubleshoot laptop overheating!
b. If a laptop shuts down abruptly without warning, and it isn't overheating, there is a problem with the internal circuitry of the motherboard; such as the motherboard, processor etc. To narrow down the culprit NOT being the internal circuits, check the BIOS (press the appropriate button immediately after booting the PC, to enter the BIOS menu). The BIOS menu may have a category (such as "Health"), that will allow you to choose the temperature at which your computer shuts down, to prevent overheating.
Check to make sure that this setting isn't causing your shut down problem by first seeing if you have the option, next finding the temperature threshold that could be causing the shutdown, lastly change the setting or disable it. NOTE: If your laptop is not overheating and is running within its recommended temperatures at idle and load, this setting is safe to change. If you have a problem with your laptop overheating, this setting shouldn't be tampered with unless you are experienced at troubleshooting laptops.
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7.) My laptop beeps several times when powering on but doesn't boot
a. The laptop may have bad memory (RAM), or a bad memory slot. Bad memory is much more common than a bad memory slot. Look up "memtest" in your favorite search engine, download it (free) and burn it to disk to troubleshoot laptop memory (run the disc after booting up). Check your laptop documentation for "beep codes", to see what the series of beeps given by your laptop actually mean. For instance, two long beeps could indicate that you RAM that has failed, while one long beep may indicate that a memory stick has been loosened or removed. It is best to check your manual before making a diagnosis.
b. The laptop BIOS could be corrupted. Check your documentation (manual) for your laptop's troubleshooting procedure to reset your BIOS (CMOS) in the event that it is corrupted (if it can be reset).
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Hopefully these tips have armed you with the knowledge to troubleshoot laptop problems, and possibly save yourself quite a bit of money, as well as many headaches along the way. Always remember that a little computer maintenance goes a long, long way.
Happy Computing,
Jarvis Edwards
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