Annoying Computer Issue

Onlypastrana199 · April 21, 2006, 02:16:03 PM

Yeah yeah I know I should be working on my GS but instead I'm trying to fix my laptop. I have a Compaq Presario R3000 and its been ghey lately. Its overloaded and burnt out two power adapters in the past 6 months. If I leave the computer off, it will charge the battery to 100% no problem. But if I turn the computer on, the power adapter begins to make weird noises and it will eventually burn it out. I checked the resistance in the DC jack, between the center pin and the ground and its 0. I checked what it was drawing from the power adapter (don't ask I stripped apart one of my dead power adapter cords so I could check it and put it on my universal one) and it sporadically draws way more power than it should. So my question is, is the DC jack bad? Or is something else horribly wrong. I don't have the money right now to buy a new laptop or replace the motherboard. My other problem is I can't figure out how to remove the heat sink and fan assembly to get to the board where the DC jack is soldered. I ordered a new DC jack because its only $2 but its not here yet. Any ideas guys? I'm completely frustrated and annoyed atm.

LimaXray · April 21, 2006, 04:08:12 PM

I don't think its the jack. A bad jack would just cause a short. Just making sure: the current and voltage rating of the power adapter are correct for the laptop right? It could be possible they gave you the wrong power adapter to start with. I would double check with the owners manual. Other then that, I would suspect the laptop. Laptops aren't as fix friendly as PCs tho, there may not be much you can do to cost effectivly do to fix it.

Does the laptop get overly hot when plugged in compared to when running on battery? That extra current draw has to go somewhere, and usually it's to heat. Now see that's strange cause 'extra current draw' + electronics = heat = 'expensive paper weight'. If the laptop still works I want to blame the power supply. Are there large capacitors near the power jack? This is what I would suspect. Make sure they're not like exploded or bowing out or anything.

Phaedrus · April 21, 2006, 07:13:59 PM

+1 on checking for puffy capacitors.

Oh yeah...GO WORK ON THE GS!!! DAMN GIRL, IT IS ALREADY ALMOST MAY!!

Ed_in_Az · April 21, 2006, 07:34:31 PM

It could be a bad battery. They can do stranger things than lezbeens. Try pulling the battery and run off the power adapter to see if the problem goes away. Good luck.

Onlypastrana199 · April 21, 2006, 07:39:58 PM

That was like the first thing i tried

...its not the battery I'm leanin more towards what lima said...but again I can't get the heat sink off to look

Ed_in_Az · April 21, 2006, 07:52:27 PM

Must be a short somewhere.

RVertigo · April 22, 2006, 02:05:45 AM

Quote from: Onlypastrana199 on April 21, 2006, 02:16:03 PMI have a Compaq Presario R3000 and its been ghey lately.

Please explain what you mean by "lately." Are you saying that at one time it was good?

Onlypastrana199 · April 22, 2006, 09:38:52 AM

for what I paid for it and the amount of abuse Ive put it through its been a good computer. We're talking about 18 hours + a day of use and being slammed around and carried on the back of the gs in a back pack. I wore off all the letters on the keyboard and had to replace that last year. The only other problems I've had with it were software issues, a reinstall fixed that. Besides what did you want me to buy? A Dell?

I fixed so many dells when I was actually working I wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole...technically I'm still a Dell employee.

Now someone tell me how to get the damn board outta my computer...

RVertigo · April 22, 2006, 10:58:13 AM

Laptops are overpriced disposible toys... I'm on one right now, but I got it from work. When ot breaks, I'll give it back.

Onlypastrana199 · April 22, 2006, 12:31:56 PM

Yeah they are but it was necessary for my job. I miss my job

I'm gonna need another one though if I can't fix this one.

john · April 22, 2006, 04:56:27 PM

You can get another for $500. Not worth fixing IMHO.

Onlypastrana199 · April 22, 2006, 06:00:10 PM

Definitely not worth it..the jack only cost me $2 but thats not the issue...I need a new one and a new job...lets see if I can convince the geek squad to give me one

stupid ny job market

john · April 22, 2006, 06:10:12 PM

Phoenix: The land of growth and opportunity.

Go west young man/woman and find your fortune.

Onlypastrana199 · April 22, 2006, 06:46:29 PM

Ny'ers don't belong in Phoenix....plus I need to finish school, and I'd prefer to be closer not farther from AJ...NY has things they just require travel and I'm kinda limited there right now.

yamahonkawazuki · April 22, 2006, 11:25:16 PM

phoenix = the armpit of hell

LimaXray · April 23, 2006, 11:16:33 AM

upstate ny = the anus of the universe

Onlypastrana199 · April 23, 2006, 11:18:29 AM

i'm afraid your mistaken, thats the city

ajgs500 · April 23, 2006, 11:21:41 AM

I thought New Jersey smelled like the anus of the universe.

Phaedrus · April 23, 2006, 12:07:35 PM

Quote from: Onlypastrana199 on April 23, 2006, 11:18:29 AM
i'm afraid your mistaken, thats the city

+1

The city is the anus of the country. Upstate is more of an armpit, really.

LimaXray · April 23, 2006, 12:33:35 PM

heh heh actually I was wearing an RPI t-shirt and I was told by my prof that Albany was the anus of the universe and Troy was 5 miles up it

and no, NJ smells like hair spray

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Annoying Computer Issue