Member Avatar for robert@infobest

My compaq Evo N115 indicates that it is plugged in, and the battery charging light is orange, However whenever i push the power on button, the computer will not start? Any ideas? Need Help

  • 3 Contributors
  • 2 Replies
  • 71 Views
  • 15 Hours Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by thepastimer

Dani AI

Generated

An amber/charging light tells you the adapter is at least seen by the charge circuit, but it does not prove the system can power up. Work through these quick isolates, building on what and hinted at:

  • Do a hard reset: unplug AC, remove the main battery, then hold the power button for 30 seconds. Reconnect AC only (no battery) and try to power on. Then try battery only. Note any LED changes or fan twitch.
  • Verify the adapter: confirm the output matches the voltage printed on its label. If you have a multimeter, check the barrel output. Better yet, test with a known-good adapter of the correct specs. If the charge LED flickers or cuts out when you wiggle the plug, suspect a loose DC jack or cracked solder joints.
  • Strip to minimum: remove RAM and drives, then reinstall a single known-good SODIMM. A bad stick can prevent any start. Reseat RAM and the keyboard/power-button cables while you are in there.
  • Power button board: as suggested, these often use a small button board with a flat ribbon. With AC and battery disconnected, reseat the ribbon on both ends. If you can access the board, a quick continuity test across the button pads (pressing the button should momentarily close the circuit) can confirm the switch.
  • Clear the embedded controller/RTC: if accessible, disconnect the coin-cell/RTC battery for a few minutes, then reconnect and retest AC-only.

Clues to note:

  • If the charge LED briefly dims when you press power, the board tries to start and shuts down, often due to a shorted rail or failed power MOSFET.
  • If it only runs on battery or only on AC, the charging/power-in circuitry is suspect.

Observe ESD safety and disconnect power before opening the system. If none of the above changes behavior, it is likely a motherboard or DC jack repair job.

Recommended Answers

All 2 Replies

Member Avatar for Xlphos

Does the light flash when you press the power button?

Have you tried it without the battery?

Member Avatar for thepastimer

Could it even be something as simple as the power button board being broken?

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.