Advent 5312 won't start

SirEcho · 07-10-2009, 03:31 AM

I’m trying to fix an Advent 5312, 1~2 years old. It started turning itself off for no apparent reason. It could be turned on again straight away, but over time it got so it would run for shorter periods before turning off, and now it won't start at all. When re-starting after one of these unexpected shutdowns it would give the '...would you like to boot into Safe Mode' option.

The only obvious funny is that the power light flickers between green & orange (I believe the battery is full) when it's plugged in to mains. Normally it's green for charged, orange for charging - one or the other. When working, the battery was good for about an hour.

- I’ve tried it on battery only; plugged into mains; from mains with battery removed.
- I've given it a blow, lest it be full of fluff ...didn't see much
- I've checked HDD & RAM, and they're all in securely. there are no rattles or obvious physical damage.

I have another (Gateway) laptop. When the HDD on this died died, at least it reacted (lights flickered) when the start button was pressed. This one does nothing. I can possibly exchange parts between the Gateway and Advent to try and pinpoint the problem …but don’t want to jeopardise the Gateway. Any ideas please?

**TriggerFinger** · 07-10-2009, 02:16 PM

Have you run Memtest86+ to test the RAM? Have you run any HDD diagnostic tool to test the hard drive?

SirEcho · 07-15-2009, 09:05 AM

Thanks for responding - and apologies for not checking back sooner. This is my son's machine - were it mine, I would have attempted diagnosis when it started to fail, rather than after it refused to start at all. How do I run memtest please?

**TriggerFinger** · 07-15-2009, 02:36 PM

Follow the Memtest86+ link on my sig and d/l the CD based version of the tool. Burn that into a blank CD (see HOW TO BURN ISO FILE link on my sig). Now boot with that CD (set boot options to be able to boot from CD/DVD drive). Test will run as soon as it boots. If boot fails, replace the RAM with a known good working stick/s (replace the ones installed - testing purposes only).

SirEcho · 07-16-2009, 03:10 AM

I burned a Memtest disc. I cannot put it in laptop because drawer will not open because laptop will not start: i.e. I press button and nothing happens - no lights, noise, movement - nothing. I plug in dc supply and battery light shows green; then orange; then alternates.
I swapped the memory from this Advent for that in my Gateway. The Advent is still unresponsive. Ran Memtest on the Gateway (with the Advent's memory in it) and that's telling me the Advent's memory is fine.

**TriggerFinger** · 07-16-2009, 07:03 AM

So except for the lights, no other sign of life?

Try these:

Test output voltage of AC adapter or test it in another (similar laptop).
Test battery in another (similar laptop).

Also Try to:

Startup on battery only
Startup on AC only

If symptoms persist or if this has been done...

Try the steps below (skip if you have done so already):

Power OFF the computer
Remove the battery
Unplug AC
Press and hold Power ON button for 30 secs. at least
Put back the battery
Plug back AC
Power ON as normal

If the same thing happens...

Take it apart/Disassemble the laptop
Remove the rest, except RAM, mobo, LCD and power ON switch
Power ON using adapter

SirEcho · 07-17-2009, 02:19 AM

Firstly, many thanks for your continued support!

Power supply is giving 20v - can't be 100% sure of amps when plugged in. Plug is bigger than that on other laptop, so cannot use it on other machine; other machine's smaller plug (loosely) fits the advent, and has similar effect, viz: when first plugged in, battery lamp winks orange for a minute or so, then comes on solid green. Although I cannot find a manual anywhere, I'm pretty certain that is telling me the battery is charged - and by implication adapter is OK.

I tried the battery only / mains only / mains + battery start-up routes. The only point of interest is that without a battery in there's no light to tell me mains is plugged in.

Tried the hold-button-in-for-30secs reset thing. No joy.

I've not started pulling it apart yet though. I tried without the HDD (& battery). No joy.

Is there a logical sequence to remove components? Remove one - try to start; remove additional one - try to start etc. It's not something I've done before, so can I also read 'disconnect' for 'remove'? Maybe something like:

1. Battery
2. HDD
3. DVD drive
4. Camera
5. Wireless
6. Keyboard
7. Screen

I don't know what else there might be ...and how I'll know when I've isolated the faulty component - if that's what the problem is.

**TriggerFinger** · 07-17-2009, 11:49 AM

If you have tested only with RAM, mobo, LCD and power ON switch and laptop (or what's left of it) booted up into BIOS settings. Put back the 'removed' components one at a time. No rule which one will go first. Power ON each time you put back a component to check if laptop still boots up into BIOS settings. If laptop does not boot up fails after putting back a component then you know that the last component put it is the or one of the culprit.

SirEcho · 07-21-2009, 05:18 AM

I've stripped it down. Battery, HDD and DVD removed (DVD dated June 2008 ...so maybe this was in warranty when all this started? Not now, having broken seal!) Removed bottom cover. Disconnected power to fan and 3 other items (not sure what). Disconnected multi-pin connector; removed wireless card.
That's as much as I can see that can be disconnected. Still no joy. If battery is fitted, then still get orange / green lamp with mains lead, otherwise no sign of life. Are there places on MB where I should check for power?

**TriggerFinger** · 07-21-2009, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirEcho

I've stripped it down. Battery, HDD and DVD removed (DVD dated June 2008 ...so maybe this was in warranty when all this started? Not now, having broken seal!) Removed bottom cover. Disconnected power to fan and 3 other items (not sure what). Disconnected multi-pin connector; removed wireless card.
That's as much as I can see that can be disconnected. Still no joy. If battery is fitted, then still get orange / green lamp with mains lead, otherwise no sign of life. Are there places on MB where I should check for power?

Only remove the battery, HDD, DVD, modem, WLAN card... leave the others (fan, CPU, keyboard, power ON switch, LCD, etc...) untouched. Plug in the AC adapter and power ON. If nothing happens, try other buttons (or consider replacing the power ON switch or the power button board (under the power button cover strip) as it could be a bad power ON switch. At this point I advise you to seek assistance of a repair shop for they have the tools and parts to use to isolate the root cause. I say that because IMO it will be costly on your part if you buy the parts and end up having the same problem.

SirEcho · 07-24-2009, 11:08 AM

There's no button cover strip: need to remove MB to access button from below, it seems.

Removed fan & heatsink, then motherboard to access power button. Only 4 screws and a few connectors, but more manipulation required. Found that nice big powerbutton above the keyboard actually presses on small button built in to motherboard. Not what one might call a 'user servicable part'. Nothing to get hold of; nothing to put a meter on to see what's happening; nothing to - see / hear / feel - 'click' to suggest it's doing something.

Thanks for your advice, but that's as far as I go!

Anyone need spares or want to attempt a repair? All offers considered!

07-10-2009, 03:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
SirEcho Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Whitley Bay Posts: 6 OS: Vista	Advent 5312 won't start I’m trying to fix an Advent 5312, 1~2 years old. It started turning itself off for no apparent reason. It could be turned on again straight away, but over time it got so it would run for shorter periods before turning off, and now it won't start at all. When re-starting after one of these unexpected shutdowns it would give the '...would you like to boot into Safe Mode' option. The only obvious funny is that the power light flickers between green & orange (I believe the battery is full) when it's plugged in to mains. Normally it's green for charged, orange for charging - one or the other. When working, the battery was good for about an hour. - I’ve tried it on battery only; plugged into mains; from mains with battery removed. - I've given it a blow, lest it be full of fluff ...didn't see much - I've checked HDD & RAM, and they're all in securely. there are no rattles or obvious physical damage. I have another (Gateway) laptop. When the HDD on this died died, at least it reacted (lights flickered) when the start button was pressed. This one does nothing. I can possibly exchange parts between the Gateway and Advent to try and pinpoint the problem …but don’t want to jeopardise the Gateway. Any ideas please?

07-10-2009, 02:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,817 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: Advent 5312 won't start Have you run Memtest86+ to test the RAM? Have you run any HDD diagnostic tool to test the hard drive? __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

07-15-2009, 09:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
SirEcho Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Whitley Bay Posts: 6 OS: Vista	Re: Advent 5312 won't start Thanks for responding - and apologies for not checking back sooner. This is my son's machine - were it mine, I would have attempted diagnosis when it started to fail, rather than after it refused to start at all. How do I run memtest please?

07-15-2009, 02:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,817 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: Advent 5312 won't start Follow the Memtest86+ link on my sig and d/l the CD based version of the tool. Burn that into a blank CD (see HOW TO BURN ISO FILE link on my sig). Now boot with that CD (set boot options to be able to boot from CD/DVD drive). Test will run as soon as it boots. If boot fails, replace the RAM with a known good working stick/s (replace the ones installed - testing purposes only). __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

07-16-2009, 03:10 AM	#5 (permalink)
SirEcho Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Whitley Bay Posts: 6 OS: Vista	Re: Advent 5312 won't start I burned a Memtest disc. I cannot put it in laptop because drawer will not open because laptop will not start: i.e. I press button and nothing happens - no lights, noise, movement - nothing. I plug in dc supply and battery light shows green; then orange; then alternates. I swapped the memory from this Advent for that in my Gateway. The Advent is still unresponsive. Ran Memtest on the Gateway (with the Advent's memory in it) and that's telling me the Advent's memory is fine.

07-16-2009, 07:03 AM	#6 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,817 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: Advent 5312 won't start So except for the lights, no other sign of life? Try these: Test output voltage of AC adapter or test it in another (similar laptop). Test battery in another (similar laptop). Also Try to: Startup on battery only Startup on AC only If symptoms persist or if this has been done... Try the steps below (skip if you have done so already): Power OFF the computer Remove the battery Unplug AC Press and hold Power ON button for 30 secs. at least Put back the battery Plug back AC Power ON as normal If the same thing happens... Take it apart/Disassemble the laptop Remove the rest, except RAM, mobo, LCD and power ON switch Power ON using adapter __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

07-17-2009, 02:19 AM	#7 (permalink)
SirEcho Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Whitley Bay Posts: 6 OS: Vista	Re: Advent 5312 won't start Firstly, many thanks for your continued support! Power supply is giving 20v - can't be 100% sure of amps when plugged in. Plug is bigger than that on other laptop, so cannot use it on other machine; other machine's smaller plug (loosely) fits the advent, and has similar effect, viz: when first plugged in, battery lamp winks orange for a minute or so, then comes on solid green. Although I cannot find a manual anywhere, I'm pretty certain that is telling me the battery is charged - and by implication adapter is OK. I tried the battery only / mains only / mains + battery start-up routes. The only point of interest is that without a battery in there's no light to tell me mains is plugged in. Tried the hold-button-in-for-30secs reset thing. No joy. I've not started pulling it apart yet though. I tried without the HDD (& battery). No joy. Is there a logical sequence to remove components? Remove one - try to start; remove additional one - try to start etc. It's not something I've done before, so can I also read 'disconnect' for 'remove'? Maybe something like: 1. Battery 2. HDD 3. DVD drive 4. Camera 5. Wireless 6. Keyboard 7. Screen I don't know what else there might be ...and how I'll know when I've isolated the faulty component - if that's what the problem is.

07-17-2009, 11:49 AM	#8 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,817 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: Advent 5312 won't start If you have tested only with RAM, mobo, LCD and power ON switch and laptop (or what's left of it) booted up into BIOS settings. Put back the 'removed' components one at a time. No rule which one will go first. Power ON each time you put back a component to check if laptop still boots up into BIOS settings. If laptop does not boot up fails after putting back a component then you know that the last component put it is the or one of the culprit. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

07-21-2009, 05:18 AM	#9 (permalink)
SirEcho Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Whitley Bay Posts: 6 OS: Vista	Re: Advent 5312 won't start I've stripped it down. Battery, HDD and DVD removed (DVD dated June 2008 ...so maybe this was in warranty when all this started? Not now, having broken seal!) Removed bottom cover. Disconnected power to fan and 3 other items (not sure what). Disconnected multi-pin connector; removed wireless card. That's as much as I can see that can be disconnected. Still no joy. If battery is fitted, then still get orange / green lamp with mains lead, otherwise no sign of life. Are there places on MB where I should check for power?

07-24-2009, 11:08 AM	#11 (permalink)
SirEcho Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Whitley Bay Posts: 6 OS: Vista	Re: Advent 5312 won't start There's no button cover strip: need to remove MB to access button from below, it seems. Removed fan & heatsink, then motherboard to access power button. Only 4 screws and a few connectors, but more manipulation required. Found that nice big powerbutton above the keyboard actually presses on small button built in to motherboard. Not what one might call a 'user servicable part'. Nothing to get hold of; nothing to put a meter on to see what's happening; nothing to - see / hear / feel - 'click' to suggest it's doing something. Thanks for your advice, but that's as far as I go! Anyone need spares or want to attempt a repair? All offers considered!