T21 Battery/AC Power Issue

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Hard_8eight · #1 Post by **Hard_8eight** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 11:02 am

Inconsistent power up. I have a T21 that will power up sometimes and others it won't. This is what occurs. With the AC plugged in with battery installed, it will power up (at times). The battery light on the TP solid green. If the TP powers up, I'm able to remove the battery and it will remain on (as I think t should). When I shut it down and attempt to power up within minutes, hours and sometimes a day, the HD, battery light and CD/DVD light will flicker green but the TP will not start. Sometimes, I hear a slight click sound. If I remove the battery (AC plugged in) and attempt to start it, I just see the HD and CD/DVD light flicker. So when it works on AC, I can pull the battery and all is good. IT will start sometimes with only battery power available. I swapped several batteries which registered anywhere from 30 minutes to 1.3 hours available charge at 100%. I'm not losing time on the system ad assumed the backup battery (CR2032) is okay. I swapped it with another backup battery (used) and still having the same problem. Although it wasn't new, I have to believe it is something else. To say the least, I also checked for loose connections by keeping it in a stationary position when it didn't work and after several attempts it started. I have to rule out the power on button since the lights flicked on all attempts. Any other recommendations? I'm running XP Pro with SP2. Battery MaxiMiser is also running with all the current drivers.

JHEM · #2 Post by **JHEM** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 11:35 am

Welcome to the Forum.

If you want to start at the absolute beginning of troubleshooting this problem, it will require some disassembly of the laptop.

Depopulate the unit of everything, e.g. optical drive, HD, memory, battery, etc. Take off the keyboard and reseat the CPU in the mini-ZIF socket. Take this opportunity to clean the fan assembly and slather a bit of Arctic Silver between the fan and CPU.

Reassemble the keyboard, turn it over and clean the memory sockets with a blast of canned air. Reinstall the memory, then attempt to BOOT the unit into the BIOS on AC alone. If successful, try BOOTing the unit on the battery alone.

Now install the HD and try BOOTing on AC and then battery. Report back.

Regards,

James

Hard_8eight · #3 Post by **Hard_8eight** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:32 pm

I stripped down the TP as you suggested and this is what resulted:
1. Stripped down and removed all components: HD, MEM. CD/DVD, Processor Chip (I think), Main Battery and Backup Battery.
2. Removed the keyboard.
3. Removed the fan, blew very hard and direct, cleaned copper shield below. I reseated the fan.
4. Blew keyboard connection and reseated.
5. Powered up the unit with AC connected. All power lights blinked (HD, IO, etc), light closest to the I/O power on button remained solid. There were also several loud beeping sounds when I powered it on. No display. Looking Good.
6. Powered down and removed the AC plug.
7. Installed the primary battery and powered it up. Same results as #5 but without the AC connected.
8. Removed the primary and installed the backup, primary and AC. Same results as #5 and #7.
9. Powered down, installed the processor chip, same thing, solid light and beeps.
10. Powered down, added memory modules, same thing, solid light and beeps.
11. Added hard drive and received the first visible image. Received a date and time error in BIOS. Accessed BIOS and entered the correct date/time. Rebooted and all s well with the exception of the battery appeared to be drained. The battery was fully charged prior to starting but now has to recharge. I recharged it and it take approx. 7-10 minutes to go from 100% to 98% then drop to 5-10% within the another 5 minutes.
Next step. I'll look for references to fully drain the battery and recharge to see if it will hold a charge. This is a minor issue compared to having to use the TP and not getting it to start. The suggestion was golden. Thanks for the assistance.

PS: I'll continue to track the start-ups and will report in a week or so to inform anyone else having this issue if the problem resurfaces. Since this was my first break own of a laptop, I think it went well with the exception of my pause/break key coming off. I’m currently attempting to get it back on. I also noticed after doing all of this, in the control panel power option, I have 2x as many tabs. I checked this when I updated my BIOS and added MaxiMiser the day before and it was still looking standard. Once again, thanks for the help.

Hard_8eight · #4 Post by **Hard_8eight** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 11:40 pm

After 2 weeks, the problem is back. I'll order a CMOS battery and see what happens.

S4MUR41 · #5 Post by **S4MUR41** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 12:18 pm

im having the exact problem right now, i think the proble is around the battery, i also have that clicking noise only when i try to power on with the battery in. It could be that its not getting a proper connection. It was working fine for me but now it just wont turn on at all...

Berny · #6 Post by **Berny** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 2:49 pm

just to safe you money and time: it's not the CMOS battery.

with empty CMOS battery you machine WILL start, but only time and date will be in-accurate. You will get some beeps and error message about empty CMOS during POST.

S4MUR41 · #7 Post by **S4MUR41** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 11:37 am

really need help with this because it will not turn on wat so ever anymore, when i hit the power button i hear a clicking noise where the battery is.

S4MUR41 · #8 Post by **S4MUR41** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 5:34 pm

sorry to double post but i really need help with this situation

T21 Battery/AC Power Issue

T21 Battery/AC Power Issue

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