Laptop Not Starting, Not Booting, Not Charging, or Freezing During Loading  

Before considering any recommendations below, please remember if you have data on your laptop that is important to you, then you should have a backup copy of that data before attempting to any repair work.  RCCS will not be responsible for any damages or lost of data with any suggestion or recommendation below.  End-User assumes all risk.

Scenario #1:  Laptop is not booting, has a blank screen.

This can be caused by a bad power adapter or internal hardware failure.  Often it is the power adapter or dc jack has been damaged.  Alternatively, if you see a screen but the system will not boot into the operating system, then it could be the hard drive failing.  If there is no screen (blank), but the laptop seems to be going through all the motions, you may have a bad screen and needs to replaced.  If the laptop is blinking lights at you in a pattern like motion, take note of it and look up the manufacturer of the computer and see if they tell you what sequence means.  It could tell you exactly what part is malfunctioning.

Scenario #2:  Battery will not charge, but laptop turns on.

Almost always the power adapter is the reason for a battery not charging.  This can be determined with a volt meter to see if the power adapter provides between 18  and 24 volts (average adapter) while not plugged into the laptop and only into the wall.  If it reads less than 18 volts, replace the adapter.  Battery charging will cease when insufficient voltage is applied.  The system may still run, it just will not be able to charge.

Scenario #3:  I hear strange noises coming from inside the laptop.

Hard drives do fail and will fail.  If your drive is making funny sounds like a click or clicking, grinding, squealing noise, then it is time to replace it before it gives up.  Don’t delay this, because if it fails it could mean you lose all your data.  Data recovery is possible, but the price is much higher than preventative maintenance.  This could also be a fan wearing out.  This is a deadly to laptop as anything else.  Over heating is big laptop killer.  Replacing these are much more inexpensive than purchasing a whole new laptop. If your hard drive has failed and is making these noises, don’t attempt to fix this yourself, please contact Drive Savers Data Recovery.

Scenario #4:  Laptop randomly just turns itself off without warning.

Laptops just turning off can be caused by the processor overheating due to the system fan not working (failed) or the thermal grease between the CPU and heatsink is no longer allowing heat transfer from the CPU to heatsink so the fan can blow the hot air out the vents.  Maybe, the vents simply need cleaned, they may be too full of dust or other foreign objects.  The vents should be cleaned from inside out, don’t blow air into laptop, this could cause further issues.

Scenario #5:  Laptop is running slow and sluggish.

This could be a broad topic, however here’s the simple side of it.  Virus’, spyware, adware, malware, greyware, hard disk needs defragmented, lack of memory or low on disk space, registry errors, failing hardware such as hard drive, memory, and/or motherboard.  It is a weather report as you can see.  Virus and spyware infections are the most common, as with the need to defrag the hard drive.  Below are free system scans for recommended software to help you on your way with fixing this problem if it is software related.

Laptop, Notebook Battery F.A.Q.’s  

Question:  How long does a laptop battery last and when should I replace it?

Answer: With time and usage, performance of a battery will degrade.  For the average user, battery life will last up-to 2 years, however if your using the laptop heavily, chances are the battery will need replaced before this time. When replacing a battery, it is highly recommend to use manufacturer branded batteries or certified off-brands to avoid incompatibilities.

Question:  What is the difference between 6, 9, & 12 cell laptop batteries?

Answer: Run time.  A 6 cell laptop battery might last under an average load 1 1/2 hours where as a 12 cell may last up-to 3-4 hours.   The larger the cells, the heavier the battery and size is as well as the price.  If you are on the road a lot, going with the largest cell is best when considering run time, however it will add a little weight.  Weight varies from one brand to another.  Cell size also will determine how long it will take to charge a battery.

Question: I don’t unplug my laptop very often, will it overcharge the battery?  Does it harm the laptop?

Answer: Most laptop computer chargers (power supplies) have a built in detection device that knows when a battery has reached a full charge and hence quits charging until the battery drains.  If you notice that your battery is continuously charging and never sits idle on electric, then it may be time for a new battery and/or power supply adapter.

Question:  Does completely draining (discharging) and recharging a Lithium Ion battery prolong its life?

Answer: No, doing this does not increase its life, they are designed to take this kind of abuse, just remember no battery is intended to last forever, and it will eventually hold little to no charge with age and use.

Question:  I notice that when I plug my laptop into the wall sometimes it charges and sometimes it doesn’t, why?

Answer: If the battery is fully charged, then it is just going to run off of AC electricity, however if you notice that the charging icon isn’t activating and you battery completely runs out there could be bigger problem.  Problems that can keep your battery from charging are most often a failing battery,  a bad power supply, and/or a loose DC jack (where you power cord plugs into the laptop.)  If your DC jack is cracked or broken, then you will need to have it repaired by a professional.  A power supply can be checked with a volt meter.  The average voltages for a power supply while plugged into an electric outlet is between 18 and 24 volts (not plugged into the laptop.)  Please seek a professional if you do not know how to use a volt meter, RCCS assumes no responsibility of any electrical shock that could happen resulting from the testing of a power supply.

Question: Are laptop batteries user replaceable parts?

Answer: Yes, normally under the laptop is a latch that disengages the battery that allows it to slide or pop out.  Just remember to turn the computer completely off and unplugged from AC power for a minute or two before taking the battery out.  As stated above, when replacing batteries it is recommended to purchase the same brand of battery or certified battery for your laptop.

Question:  I have more than one battery, I want to keep it in storage, How should I go about this?

Answer: Laptop batteries are not intended to be kept in storage for long periods time in a charger or some other power source other than your laptop.  Batteries should be optimally stored between 32F & 95F Max.  They can be stored in or outside of a laptop.  Always charge them before putting into storage with a charging time of not more than an hour or between 80% and 100% full charge.  A new battery will likely loose its charge by 15% over a four month period (if battery is new) while sitting idle.

Question: What are the regulations for airplane travel with lithium ion laptop batteries?

Answer:  Please consult with the Transportation Security Administration’s to completely understand all rules and regulations of batteries allowed to be carried onto any airplane.

Damaged Laptop Power Cord  

We all love our pets, but they sometimes do things that really want us to do something unspeakable to them like eat right through a laptop power cord.  I get calls all the time regarding this and often just guide a frustrated pet owner to where they can purchase a new  cord.  There are a few things to keep in mind with  getting  a new  power adapter for your notebook PC, but first let’s review some other thoughts.

If the cord’s black (typically black) coating around the wire is torn, but there are no exposed wire beneath it, then you could simply use a little electric tape to remedy the problem.  However if the cord has exposed wire, barely holding together, or completely shredded , then you will need a new  cord.

Some Points to Know:

•  Not all adapters are created equally, be sure if you are purchasing power adapter for your laptop it is rated for your laptop.  If you get a generic brand adapter (saves a lot of money) that is under voltage and wattage requirements, then your systems will either not boot, and/or not supply enough power to run the laptop and charge the battery.

•  While buying a brand name cord (manufacturer original) will most definitely work for your laptop, it will also cost as much as and sometimes more than 50% more than an equally as good off brand or universal power adapter.

•  When buying your next adapter, why not purchase a universal cord?  This will work with your next computer as well as allow you to interchange the tips for car travel and maybe even a cell phone charger.

Shattered Laptop Screen | LCD Replacement  

Laptops are great until the screen breaks and then they are seemingly useless.  There are few common ways a laptop screen breaks or is broken.  In this article we will discuss the common ways a laptop screen is broken or breaks and whether or not it is better to buy a new notebook or replace the screen.  If you are a local to the Greencastle, PA area, RCCS can assist you in diagnosing your problem and repair your laptop, you can call or use our contact page to drop us a line.

Common LCD Failures, Breaks:

•  Screen is blank

•  Screen is dim (can see an image, but not very well)

•  Screen has vertical or horizontal lines.

•  Screen has random dots of color or lack of color.

•  Screen has splotches of color or hued in one area.

•  Cracked or physical damage to display.

•  Stays on for a while, but turns off randomly.

•  Boots, but doesn’t go into Windows (typically blank screen with flashing cursor)

We are not going to cover every possible scenario here, however the above is the most common of LCD failures in a laptop.  Let’s start with the basic stuff.  If you have no screen at all and it is looking at you blank (and black), try connecting an external monitor up to the laptop to see if it will display on that first.  This will immediately tell you if the screen is bad or if it is something inside the computer such as the video card, CPU, motherboard, or memory.  Once you have determined that the screen works with an external monitor then we can proceed with the different scenarios.

•  Screen is blank and external monitor shows a display:  There is a board level failure.  LCD is likely to need replaced.

•  Screen is dim, images are barely visible and hard to see:  Needs a new backlight.

•  Vertical and/or horizontal lines:  Bad communication between LCD and motherboard, possibly damaged ribbon cable, bad video card (should see on external monitor as well), and altogether just need a new screen.

•  Random dots of color:  We call these dead pixels.  Dead pixels is a dot of color stuck in an on or off state of a single or no color.  You will need to replace the screen if you are having this problem.

•  Cracked Display:  Screen replacement.

•  Screen stays on for a while, but shuts off randomly:  This type of problem can be tricky.  The issue is either the inverter or a backlight.  The backlight normally flickers or gives a orange or pink hue to the screen instead of a solid white where white is supposed to be.  However, if the display just turns off without warning, the inverter is more likely the issue.  Keep in mind this is not to be confused with the computer randomly turning off.  The computer (laptop) should still be on while this happens.  If you entire system is shutting off this could be a larger problem such as over heating, or electrical failures in the motherboard.

•  When the computer is booted, you may see the manufacturer display and then the screen goes to a blank black screen, maybe with a flashing cursor.  Likely this isn’t a bad screen at all, but more likely a hard drive failure.  If your hard drive has failed mechanically and your data isn’t recoverable, we recommend you check out our recovery page.

We mentioned the word “backlight” and “inverter” earlier.  You may ask what they are.  A back light is a small cold cathode fluorescent light bulb or CCFL for short.  You are already familiar with these in everyday life on a larger scale when you walk into a department store or in a work place.  The light that lights up a LCD screen is a really small version of a fluorescent light bulb you would use to light a room.  Replacing these can be very inexpensive (if the laptop screen doesn’t use a proprietary connection or type of bulb) versus buying a whole new screen.  However, this requires surgery on your laptop and is a tedious process to take everything apart and back together again.

A LCD inverter is a device that changes DC (Direct Current) back to AC (Alternating Current) for the backlight.  That is why if the screen just shuts off and the rest of the computer remains running, the inverter is likely the cause.

When purchasing a new LCD screen consider only buying the screen and not the entire housing.  You will save a lot of money doing it this way, it just requires to be installed into the existing housing of your laptop.  Backlights will require soldering know how and patient hands.  Inverters are typically the easiest thing to replace, but still require some dis-assembly of the LCD housing. Above all, always unplug all power and exercise static electricity safety when working on any electronics.