Laptop Power Issue

Undead Scottsman

Okay, I recent had a new problem crop up with my laptop. For some reason, it continually draws battery power despite being plugged in, and when the battery runs out, the laptop shuts down. it won't run without a battery now either. Also, it's taking forever for the battery to charge now, so I'm ultimately left with the conclusion that the machine isn't getting enough power and it's either due to a faulty component of the machine or something in the power supply.

Is there any way I can test to see where the problem is?

exoplasm

You can try another power adapter. Short of that, there isn't much you can do. It is most likely the connection between the power adapter and the laptop, which usually requires some soldering, or if it is under warranty getting a new motherboard.

If you're lucky it's just the power adapter going bad.

Undead Scottsman

exoplasm wrote: »

You can try another power adapter. Short of that, there isn't much you can do. It is most likely the connection between the power adapter and the laptop, which usually requires some soldering, or if it is under warranty getting a new motherboard.

If you're lucky it's just the power adapter going bad.

Sadly this laptop is from late 2004, was made by Gateway, and the power adaptor is like 100 bucks last time I checked. Considering everything else that's wrong with the laptop (the hinges have broken entirely so I have to prop it up.) If I can do a free fix, I'll probably just put that 100 bucks towards a netbook or something.

exoplasm

You can take the laptop apart and see how the connector looks on the motherboard for the power adapter.

Also power adapters are usually super cheap on ebay.