Member Avatar for arypico

Hi,

few weeks ago, I tried to start up my laptop but it didn't want to boot. I was having the leds indicating battery and power blinking for few seconds but then nothing was happening.
Then, I brought it to a computer service shop where they didn't find anything, but after they re-assembled the laptop it did work fine again.

Today, I started it up and I was reading my email, when it shut abruptly it off.
I tried to start it up, but no life sign whatsoever was given as feedback. The leds are totally black. Nothing happens at all.

I am planning to bring it again to the computer shop, but what might be the cause of this problem and what is the problem?

Note also that I have changed the motherboard about 7 months ago.

Thanks for any help,
Ary

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Suspishio

Dani AI

Generated

Quick, practical steps to narrow a total-power failure down to adapter, jack, or motherboard power circuitry (building on 's direction):

  • Check the AC adapter first with a multimeter. Confirm the DC voltage on the adapter label, set the meter to DC volts and measure at the barrel plug. A correct unloaded reading is good but not definitive — if possible test with a known-good, compatible adapter or place a modest load (for example the laptop itself) and watch for voltage collapse.

  • Inspect the DC-in jack and input path. Look for a loose/wobbly barrel, broken solder joints, or corrosion. With the adapter plugged in, measure at the board side of the jack to confirm the voltage actually reaches the PCB. If there is no voltage at the jack end while the adapter reads correctly, the jack or cable is the culprit.

  • Try an embedded-controller/power-drain reset: remove battery and AC, hold the power button 20–30 seconds, then connect AC only and try powering on. Also try powering with minimal hardware (one RAM stick, no HDD/optical) — a bad peripheral or short can prevent any power-up.

  • Visually inspect the board (caps, scorch marks, swollen components). Use a meter to check continuity of the main input fuse (often an SMD marked F) and for obvious shorts between Vcc and ground. If you find a blown fuse or a shorted MOSFET/regulator, that points to a board repair.

If unfamiliar with electronics testing or if the adapter/jack checks are inconclusive, take the machine to a shop and ask them to: (1) measure adapter output under load, (2) measure voltage at the jack and at main power rails on the motherboard, and (3) check the input fuse and MOSFETs. For data safety, remove the hard drive before any board-level work so it can be imaged if needed.

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Member Avatar for Suspishio

Might help if youtold us what laptop model this is. Then we can compare with any known history.

Member Avatar for arypico

Amilo M1425 doesn't ring any bell as laptop model? :)

It is a Fujitsu Siemens and that is the model.

Member Avatar for Suspishio

Thanks - I forgot Amilo was FJ.

Sounds to me like a hard power problem. What happens in the following alternatives:

1/
Battery in - no AC power?

2/
Battery out - AC Power?

Is the AC rectifier block warm?

Is the battery warm?

Are there any LEDS on the battery that indicate charge?

Member Avatar for arypico

I tried with all combination (battery in, out, power in, out) but nothing happens and as specified in the first message there are no lights, this time.

Member Avatar for Suspishio

If AC block cold, then it is faulty and battery is discharged. Was the AC block warm?

The laptop should work without the battery if the AC block is OK.

If the AC block is warm then the problem is on the motherboard, wouldn't you say?

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