T41p not charging. How to know if computer or power adapter?

[1percent]

I have this T41p that survived a motorcycle accident among other nasty events. Replaced the mother board and keyboard right before the 3 year warranty ran out so was basically brand new. Just being used gently as an extra web browser now a days.

One day last week it just ran out of charge. Plugging it in does not start charging anymore. Removed battery, tried different outlets; nothing.

My Question:
What is the best way to determine whether it is the charger or the computer that needs to be fixed?


Thanks,
Alex

[ajkula66]

How about borrowing a battery somewhere?

Is the battery light blinking amber?

[1percent]

Unfortunately do not know anyone who has a T41p. USe a t61p with different charger and battery.

Don't think it is the battery as it discharged normally including low battery warnings. Plugging in the charger did nothing. No charge light and no power light when battery was removed.

Thanks,
Alex

[LegendaryKA8]

You should be able to test the adapter with a multimeter... I forget the exact procedure for this as electrical work isn't my strong suit. I do know that the adapter should be putting out 16V.

Now, is your machine working if you turn it on while it's plugged in? If it is you might want to check the battery health under your 'Battery Maximizer' or 'Power Manager' program(off the little battery icon on your taskbar). It could be that your battery has just given up the ghost and you need a new one.

Another possibility is that the main battery fuse on the motherboard itself is blown. I have heard that this can be repaired by soldering another fuse on over it, but unless you're comfortable with board-level soldering this could be a pretty complex repair. If this is the case it may be easier(although more expensive) to purchase a new motherboard.

[rkawakami]

Second the advice about the multimeter. Go down to your local hardware store, Radio Shack or electronic parts store. You should be able to get a cheap (~$20) multimeter that has both volts and ohms settings. The meter should have separate AC and DC voltage modes; you want DC when measuring the adapter. Put the + (red) meter lead inside the barrel end of the DC plug and rest the - (black) meter lead on the outside metal shell of the DC plug. The meter should read about 16.5V. If the meter doesn't read anything near this, then the adapter is probably kaput. The multimeter will also be handy for measuring batteries and checking fuses and light bulbs.

[1percent]

Will find a multimeter and test. Have the power supplies been known to go bad?

I'm hoping that it's the power supply as a motherboard replacement would be a cost prohibitive = EOL for the laptop.

Thanks,
Alex

[Brad]

I have never run across a bad adapter. The cables usually will fail before the adapter does.

I have seen failed motherboard fuses that prohibit charging of the battery.

Brad

[1percent]

Would this failed motherboard fuse also prevent power from reaching the computer when the battery was removed?

Also important to note that the computer kept working until the battery died so some power was getting through.

Thanks,
Alex