Member Avatar for DBarnwell

I am working on a Gateway laptop M520cs for a friend. It had a problem with the power button being stuck/broken. Which wouild not allow the laptop to power up.

I thought I had fixed that problem, I replaced the power button panel. Afterwards it would power on and off. I thought it now fixed I had powered on and off serveral times with no problem.

It has been several days since ding the repair. How when I go to push the power button I get no power. I am thinking that power on/off panel has gone bad and need to be replaced. Anybody has any suggestion I am I on the right track ?or where to look next?


Thnaks in Advance

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by coolraj003

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Good outcome — ’s fix matches a common failure mode for older Gateway M520 series laptops: intermittent power contacts or a flaky button assembly. ’s reminder to confirm battery and AC connections is also useful because loose or oxidized contacts in the power path can mimic a failed switch.

If the symptom returns, use this focused checklist to isolate the fault without repeating the same work already done here:

  • Confirm adapter output with a multimeter (nominal laptop adapter voltages are often ~18–20 V).
  • Inspect the DC jack and its solder joints for cracks or looseness on the motherboard; wiggling the jack while measuring voltage can reveal intermittent connections.
  • Remove the palmrest to inspect the power-button daughterboard and ribbon cable for hairline breaks, bent pins, or lifted pads. Measure continuity across the button contacts while pressing to verify a reliable closure.
  • If the mainboard remains unresponsive even when the power-switch header is momentarily bridged, the failure is likely upstream (DC power circuit or power-management IC) rather than the button itself. Exercise caution: only bridge the header briefly and with proper ESD measures.

Practical follow-ups and cautions: replace the button/panel or ribbon cable if tests show intermittent continuity; reflow or professionally repair cracked solder joints; use an electronics-grade contact cleaner (not household solvents) only when parts are powered down and batteries removed. Always remove AC and battery power and use ESD protection before probing or soldering. Cleaning can be a temporary reprieve; if the issue recurs, plan on replacing the button board or sourcing a donor M520 power assembly for a long-term repair.

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Member Avatar for coolraj003

It could be the power reaching the system from the mains/battery, that could also cause the issue. Have a check whether the connectors on the battery and the mains connection to the laptop is working and then see which one of them is the actual cause.

Raj

Member Avatar for DBarnwell

FIXED: Thanks for the help. I got it working again. I removed the power on/off panel from the panel cleaned the switch with alcohol and reinstalled. I then remove the battery, RAM and wireless cards from the notebook and let it sit for 2 hours. I powered the notebook backup on only the ac adapter and the notebook fired back up with no problem

Member Avatar for coolraj003

good man...brilliant

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