nelsonsdive

I just got asked if I could look at a friends laptop. Here's what I see:
With battery installed, no response to power button (probably drained/dead),
Plug in AC power cord
AC Power LED flashes green rapidly
Battery Power LED flashes Amber/orange rapidly also - both constantly
No change no matter what buttons are depressed, or whether the battery is installed or not.
I've read about the battery and power socket problems for this laptop, but mostly everyone is posting with flash codes, these aren't codes, it never changes rate (for short/long then pause etc).
The External Power supply tested good voltage and almost no ripple (much less than the one for my Compaq).
It seems to me like the power circuits are gone, but power is getting in (so not the power receptacle problem) and being converted to DC or I wouldn't be getting the flashing LED's (with AC plugged in and no battery installed).
Does anyone have any info on constant flashing LED's?
TIA Mike

TheMatt

It sounds like a power jack problem, while it is not completely disconnected, there is something preventing the power circuit from receiving power.

If you have another laptop that takes the same battery, see if you can charge it and plug in the battery, because that will most likely work. If the laptop still has a warranty, use it. If not, you might have to end up taking it to Toshiba or a repair shop anyway.

nelsonsdive

I've had no luck finding a laptop that uses the same battery so far. I will continue to try to find another one, since I want to be thorough.
I actually don't think it's the power jack problem because I get the rapidly flashing led's with the AC power cord (whether the battery is installed or not). Some AC must be getting through and being converted to DC or the led's wouldn't flash, it can't be coming from the battery because it doesn't do it without the AC cord.

I can't totally rule out the power jack as the cause, but I am still looking for other causes if someone has an idea/suggestion.

Thanks,

Mike

TheMatt

The only other thing I can think of is that it is the AC adapter (even though you tested it, it could be something else like too little current). If you can, try another adapter anyway.

The shop where I work has a gateway laptop that often randomly shuts down and does the same thing with the blinking LED. This laptop had a fixed DC jack, which is why it was my first suspect. If I find a fix to that laptop, I will let you know.

nelsonsdive

I haven't found the root cuase, but did learn more history today.... (would have been nice to know before). This laptop was already brought to a shop!! They told them the mobo was bad and had to be replaced..... but they also physically broke the right rear corner of the casing!!!!
I was originally told that break had been there for awhile (it's not the cause/source as it happened After the laptop failed, and while in the posession of a "repair" shop). While not the cause, it makes me wonder how good their work was to begin with.
I took it apart enough to see the AC input jack (through the plate above the keyboard, beside the hinge). A repair has been attempted on it already. It is all potted around the input jack. I think it's time to tear it all the way down and see exactly how good that repair was, the potting could be masking a break.

Thank you again,

Mike

TheMatt

You're welcome Mike. I will take a look at that laptop at work tomorrow and see if I can get any info.