Laptop issue

[theinvestor]

Ok..well...why not..i will post this here and see if any computer experts are around.

My laptop last night just turned off for no reason. I assume it overheated. When it turns on now, it will stay on for about 5 mins...and then the screen will turn black. The laptop stays on, and the only way i can turn it off to reboot is by actually removing the battery from the back.

I now realized that the only way it will turn on and stay on, is if the power cord is not plugged. As soon as i attempt to put the power cord back in to charge the screen goes back to black. The computer remains on though and even when i unplug the power cord, the screen remains black unless i completely turn off the computer. (by removing battery in the back)

So the major issue is, i will not be able to be on the computer and charging at the same time. Although, i am not yet sure if the power cord is even working now. I will find out sooner than later i guess. Thanks for the responses everyone.

Thank God i have a blackberry and can follow up on this thread.


If anyone has any ideas why this is happening? Let me know

 

[domaingenius]

Cannot help much on this exact issue BUT it does remind me to suggest that you all BACKUP your laptops and computers on seperate system or hard drives. I very nearly lost 10 years of data when a hard drive crashed but remarkably it got going again and I managed to clone it quickly. God only knows what I would have done if id lost it. Weeks later a burglar came into my brothers house and stole both his and wife's laptops !!. Just remember ,accidents and unexpected things DO happen and be prepared . Simply ask yourself this question. "Could I survive losing all the data of my hard drive" ??

DG

 

[Rockefeller]

try getting a laptop cooling fan, they can be bought at walmart for around $20. Also pick up some canned air and blow out all the vents, I had to do this once and the dust that collected in the vents over the years was amazing.

 

[BELLC1]

It sounds like what you really need is a 1.21 jigawatt flux capacitor. Just be sure you're driving at 88 MPH before turning it on.

 

[Poohnix]

It's very easy to fry a laptop if putting it on top of a soft surface, such as on top of the bed or similar, since the air intake usually are at the bottom of it.
I don't know if that's what you did, and it only seems half cooked , but is sounds as if the power unit is affected. It may overheat, or give incorrect voltage, or something like it, causing the system overheat protection to kick in, shutting off basically everything except the fan...
But those are just guesses.

 

[theinvestor]

Thanks for the responses guys.
I guess i will try to maybe blow out the vents like suggested above. The laptop has been giving me problems for quite some time now. It is 3 years old...so it is starting to get pretty old for a laptop but i have only started to have issues recently. Well, i guess i will try what everyone suggested. I just hope there is nothing wrong with the power cord. It seems only once i plug that in...it seems to turn off.

Although i have always had a problem with the laptop overheating. So i began always placing a book under the laptop which seemed to stop it from overheating.

I'll let you guys know what happens.

Thanks again.

 

[draggar]

Overheating sounds like the culprit.

A suggestion, though,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812246003

It's great for moving data from one PC to another, just take the HDD out. I bought a pair for work and they're the most used tool I have (and probably the least expensive).

I now realized that the only way it will turn on and stay on, is if the power cord is not plugged. As soon as i attempt to put the power cord back in to charge the screen goes back to black. The computer remains on though and even when i unplug the power cord, the screen remains black unless i completely turn off the computer. (by removing battery in the back)

Just read that part. Do you have a docking station for that laptop? If so, make sure you are not using the power supply for the docking station straight into the laptop, I've noticed a significant difference in the amount of power output that could cause issues with laptops.

 

[south]

Does it actually charge when it's plugged in though?

And it runs fine when on battery power? Am i understanding that correctly?

If so, it seems strange that it only happens when the power supply is plugged in though... Could indicate that it may not neccesarily be overheating. Agreed that the cooling pad is a good idea. Just for the heck of it though, check your power settings: desktop properties/screen saver / power. Laptops can have different settings for plugged in or when running on batteries. Also, perhaps your power supply is bad?

 

[Johnn]

Sound like you have a problem with the switching and not the overheat problem.
When you plug the power cord in, it supposes to do 2 things: provide the power to the laptop and charging the battery. The battery will stay standby and charge until you unplug the power cord then the battery will take over.
There may be something wrong with the switch. Try to jiggle the power to see if it does something to the screen.

 

[theinvestor]

Okay, just an update guys..

I have found an old power cord laying around. 19 volts like the one my laptop uses. Since i have tested it out, my computer is not turning off when i plug in the power cord. By turning off i may add...i mean the screen is turning black. The computer actually stays on.

Also, to answer a question above. My power cord does actually charge. It charged the battery, but when i turn it on with the power cord plugged in...the screen goes black...and the computer stays on.. (charging). I then have to unplug the cord, take out the battery ..(to turn it off). Restart it...and then the computer stays on.

Anyways, the new power cord is not giving me any problems. Also to add something else to the mix..i have used the old power cord on a different laptop and it charges fine and does nothing. It's only my laptop that when i plug it in ...the monitor just turns off?!!?!?

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Appreciate it.

Laptop went toast. Will not turn on now.

 

[tinner666]

Now sure what the problem is. But, FWIW, Laptops need to be blown out twice a year because of the smaller vents. Open drive bay doors, take batt. out, blow around the keys too.

 

[theinvestor]

I think it may be too late. Now...it just won't even load. I turn it on...the fan runs...and then it goes silent. Doesn't go anywhere. I guess this means it's finished? It had a good run i guess....3 years ...i won't buy toshiba next time though.

 

[theinvestor]

New laptop...sony vaio.

 

[ddaybofb]

New laptop...sony vaio.

nice, im sure you'll like it

 

[theinvestor]

Pretty decent Chris. Only thing was...because it's on vista...i had to get new wireless that is compatible with it. Still worth it

 

[Varchar]

Well, if you can still turn it on, try to plug it in a monitor (or tv) and see if you can go in cmos and reset the settings. Not sure which laptop you are using, try F2 or F10 or the delete key when it boots up.

And yes, get a VAIO...

Kawing

 

[theinvestor]

It turns on...but the monitor doesn't turn on anymore. I tried to switch it up with monitor. Still doesn't work. Oh well....gotta move on.