X31 completely dead after 6 months in storage

[Ed Taft]

I shut down a healthy X31 and put it in storage for 6 months. I have brought it out of storage and tried to start it, but now it shows no signs of life.

It seems likely that the battery discharged itself and shut off -- there is no voltage showing at the terminals. However, even with the battery removed and the AC adapter connected, no LEDs turn on. The AC adapter produces correct voltage, but only a miniscule current is drawn from it.

The backup battery (inside the RAM compartment) is still good. Any other simple things I should check before I give up on this machine? (It's not worth a big effort to resuscitate, but it does have a couple of old programs that won't run on my newer computers.)

[ajkula66]

You can try this old trick:

Remove the hard drive and battery, unplug the AC adapter.

Press the "power" button 10 times in a row, holding it down for 10 seconds each time, and 30 seconds the last time around.

Plug the adapter - but nothing else - back in and try to power on.

Good luck.

[Ed Taft]

Good suggestion, which I have tried. I also disconnected the backup battery for a few hours. Alas, it didn't help.

I'm puzzling over what in the computer would die as a result of the battery shutdown. Of course, it could be coincidental that something died just as I shut the computer down 6 months ago or when I turned it on today.

[kge420]

Any indication that the battery is charging? I would check the charging port.

[Ed Taft]

The machine is completely dead (no LEDs on), whether or not the battery is installed.

It is drawing approximately 30 mA (@ 16 V dc) from the AC adapter. This does not vary depending on whether the battery is installed or whether I am pushing the power button. The fact that it draws any current at all suggests that the power connector is OK.

[RealBlackStuff]

Remove all the RAM (disconnect battery and charger first).
Then put in just the charger and try to boot.
If it beeps 1-3-3-1, there is still life in the old dog.
If no beeps, get another mobo.

[Ed Taft]

I've tried this, but alas -- no improvement. I think I will retire this X31, which gave me great service for 8 years. Thanks for the good suggestions.