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HP NC6000 power issues

post #1 of 10
12/23/08 at 2:09pm
Thread Starter 
Hi,

I've have been given a HP/Compaq NC6000.

It didn't come with the original Power supply unfortunately.

I have a universal power supply I thought I would test it with before I shell out for a OEM one.

When the adapter is plugged in, the LED on the charger blinks rapidly and the makes a clicking noise.

I am led to believe that this is probably caused by a short somewhere on the motherboard. I've have taken the laptop completely to pieces. Tried the again with just the motherboard, but still the problem persists. There are no obvious shorts however, no suspect components, no burning smells.

It does have a battery, but either that or the laptop is dead, so I'm none the wiser as far as that is concerned.

For what it's worth, the universal charger is known to be good with another laptop I have (an Acer) and I have also tried another known to be good universal charger with my NC6000 and had exactly the same symptoms.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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post #2 of 10
12/23/08 at 10:46pm
Understood that you tried the universal adapter that works. Still I would recommend to borrow the correct adapter and a battery. This would eliminate for sure that the issue was not adapter/battery related

cheers ...
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post #3 of 10
12/24/08 at 8:19pm
this is the bussiness model of the compaq 1500 which has MAJOR power issues... it is a short i have ALWAYS hated working on these

Mike
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post #4 of 10
12/27/08 at 1:59pm
Thread Starter 
Many thanks both for your replies.

Mike, any tips for finding the short or would you say it's beyond help?
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post #5 of 10
12/28/08 at 2:07pm
If Mike is correct (I would still FIRST try a real HP ac adapter, as third party universal adapters CAN be spotty...some work ok, some do not!), then it will not be an inexpensive repair.

Although not too old to be useful, at it's age, hard drive size, cpu, old or even dead battery, etc., I would not think that sinking more that $100 would be worth doing. The problem is that with dropping notebook proces, you can spend less than $500, maybe even $400, and have a notebook that is faster, higher hard drive capacity, new battery, and a warranty...

If you could do the repair yourself, or know someone who can do it on the "cheap", then it canmake sense, but otherwise? It is tempting when getting a cheap/free older notebook to want to repair it, but do consider the costs versus what you will end up with versus a new notebook...

Unless this was previously upgraded, it only carries 256mb ram, a 40 - 60gb hard drive. Even the most basic bargain notebooks today come with a dual core cpu (usually), a 120 - 160gb hard drive, and at least 1gb or better ram...
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post #6 of 10
12/28/08 at 6:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PeteC2 View Post
If Mike is correct (I would still FIRST try a real HP ac adapter, as third party universal adapters CAN be spotty...some work ok, some do not!), then it will not be an inexpensive repair.

Although not too old to be useful, at it's age, hard drive size, cpu, old or even dead battery, etc., I would not think that sinking more that $100 would be worth doing. The problem is that with dropping notebook proces, you can spend less than $500, maybe even $400, and have a notebook that is faster, higher hard drive capacity, new battery, and a warranty...

If you could do the repair yourself, or know someone who can do it on the "cheap", then it canmake sense, but otherwise? It is tempting when getting a cheap/free older notebook to want to repair it, but do consider the costs versus what you will end up with versus a new notebook...

Unless this was previously upgraded, it only carries 256mb ram, a 40 - 60gb hard drive. Even the most basic bargain notebooks today come with a dual core cpu (usually), a 120 - 160gb hard drive, and at least 1gb or better ram...

he is right, the computer is not the best computer in the world.... but if you are thinkging about fixing it here are some suggestions...

this computer has a power board.. it connects the battery to the computer has has all the charging components for the battery sometimes this board goes bad here is a link to one....

http://cgi.ebay.com/Compaq-Presario-...3286.m20.l1116

there are also 3 common problems with the systemboard first one is the dc jack like to short and burn the board and cause a short that one is easy to see find and repair. there is also a fuse that is right behind the dc jack that likes to short . and the last one is on the bottom of the board there is a cap that likes to short.

other then those it can be anywhere.

here is a link to a new motherboard.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Compaq-Presario-...3A1%7C294%3A50

Mike
Hellbringer
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post #7 of 10
12/29/08 at 7:26pm
Thread Starter 
Again, my thanks to you both for your excellent help.

I completely agree that unless I can fix the laptop for very little it is beyond economic sense. Still, if I can get there, it would be fine for my basic needs and it does seem to have become a bit of a challenge to myself now to get this thing going.

Unfortunately, the motherboard in my laptop doesn't have a separate power board, it's integrated, so that's a no go, and as mentioned, replacing the whole motherboard renders the whole project a bit futile cost wise.

Thanks to the few pointers I got here though, I have tracked down a shorted cap, so I will replace that and see what happens. Even if it doesn't work, I'm enjoying the learning!
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post #8 of 10
12/29/08 at 9:49pm
Good attitude and good idea! I hope that you can bring it "back to life" at a low cost. Let us know how it turns out?
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post #9 of 10
12/30/08 at 1:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by miqueldiaz View Post
Again, my thanks to you both for your excellent help.

I completely agree that unless I can fix the laptop for very little it is beyond economic sense. Still, if I can get there, it would be fine for my basic needs and it does seem to have become a bit of a challenge to myself now to get this thing going.

Unfortunately, the motherboard in my laptop doesn't have a separate power board, it's integrated, so that's a no go, and as mentioned, replacing the whole motherboard renders the whole project a bit futile cost wise.

Thanks to the few pointers I got here though, I have tracked down a shorted cap, so I will replace that and see what happens. Even if it doesn't work, I'm enjoying the learning!

nice where is the cap??

Mike
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post #10 of 10
1/1/09 at 11:41am
Thread Starter 
It's on the power board where you suggested things may go bad.

Been a bit busy with festivities and am waiting for a few soldering supplies to turn up plus I still need to get my hands on a replacement cap, then will have a shot. Will be interesting as my soldering is traditionally terrible. I'll have a good practice on some scrap boards first I think...

Will let you know how it goes.
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