T43 will not run off battery

[K7FL]

I suspected the battery was at fault as it would not charge beyond 67% (still should be enough to run the T43, but something to investigate). I replaced the battery ... the new battery charges to 85% which still is indicative of an issue somewhere. I have tried various T43 series AC adapters with the same result. I borrowed a port replicator and the result is the same so I think we can rule out the adapters and the T43 power jack.

Not sure what to try next. All other T43 functions are normal ... just that when the power source is unplugged, the T43 immediately powers off.

Thoughts? I'm not intimidated with getting inside the computer to check things out ... I just want to be sure I'm not missing something obvious. Thoughts from the collected masses????

[ajkula66]

Welcome to the forum!

Sounds like a blown fuse to me.

For fuse locations, check here: http://nickpaton.fireflyinternet.co.uk/ ... 0links.pdf

Good luck.

[K7FL]

Are you sure the link is correct? I'm unable to open it or find reference elsewhere. Tnx.

[ajkula66]

Can't open it myself...weird.

Hopefully the site owner and a fellow member will fix that soon...

[K7FL]

Excellent ... in the interim, I'll open things up and see if I can find a fuse in line with the battery circuit. Cheers

[RealBlackStuff]

There's a working alternative on my website: http://theboardroom.info/
Click the menu choice (top left): Fuse Locations

[K7FL]

Thanks for the helpful hints. An open fuse from the battery circuit really makes sense given the symptoms described above. I'm not sure why there are two fuses in the circuit ... one which is 7A, the other 0.5A (F9 & F12)... maybe the lower amperage is for a battery charging circuit. At any rate, what's the best way to get to the two fuses. If I understand the photos, the fuses must be located on the bottom side of the board. Is there an easy was to access these parts? I've removed the keyboard and bezel, but it looks like quite a bit of dis-assembly before getting down to the mother board.

Fun project ... I sure hope I don't have parts remaining after re-assembly!

Dennis

[Neil]

Sorry, but there is no easy way to get to the fuses. It requires a nearly complete disassembly of the laptop. It's not difficult, just takes some time and care to follow the Hardware Maintenance Manual.

The difficult thing is soldering those tiny fuses on top of the old ones. I've tried a few times, and have yet to succeed.

[K7FL]

I removed the mother board and inspected the area around F9 and F12. The damage became obvious. An 8pin dip and several adjacent components were badly disfigured by heat. Where they may be replaced, I think I've come to the point where I just have a bag of parts. I do have a hi-res photo of the damage if someone is interested.

I'd make someone a great deal on the PC, AC & DC supplies, new battery and a port replicator. I just want to cover my postage costs.

Thanks for the help guys!

Dennis

[ajkula66]

What's the 7-character model number of that T43, located on the same sticker that holds the serial # and the production date, should be something like 26xx-xxx or 187x-xxx?

[K7FL]

1875DMU

[RealBlackStuff]

Was your laptop ON during a thunderstorm, or was there a bad power-out?
Did you spill any liquid on the laptop?
I have an excellent R52 motherboard with Intel graphics for sale, that is a drop-in replacement.
All parts from your old board will fit on this new one.
For $65.- shipped you'd have your machine up and running again in no time.
PM me if interested.

[K7FL]

The computer is redundant so I don't plan to fix it. I was offering parts to the masses for postal costs (hate to throw away this kind of stuff, especially a new battery, port replicators, DC converter, etc.). Garbage day is Wednesday so speak fast if anyone is interested.
Dennis

[RealBlackStuff]

I'll take those parts off you for shipping to PA 18436.
Please PM me with the details.