Help..computer issue...

QueenOfTheFlock · Post by **QueenOfTheFlock** » Sat Aug 02, 2003 9:24 pm

I am just copying this....I had typed it in my Xanga and near the end of my post realized I would probably be able to get better advice posting it here as well so I am just copying it and pasting it:

Farking hell!! I think my laptop got hit by lightning in the storm. It's behaving badly. The battery isn't charging. The computer works but obviously once that battery dies, I can't recharge it since it's not charging. Also, for some reason, I get no phone signal. I'm having to resort back to my prehistoric desktop right now. I'm not enjoying this much but it's better than nothing. I can't afford to have it fixed...and wouldn't be able to afford it until MAYBE 2.5 weeks from now. That depends on what's wrong with it. I am sure I could cover a modem for it if the modem is blown but I dunno what is wrong with keeping it from charging. I think I am going to copy to the KG as well so I am sure most of you are going to read this more than once. Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

There it is...anyone know anything I can do to check for damage? I am a computer idiot except for playing online and stuff.

FalseAbsolution · Post by **FalseAbsolution** » Sat Aug 02, 2003 9:47 pm

I've not had much experience with laptops/notebooks ect. but with desktops i've had a bit. it is possible that if it got hit by a surge that it could have fried the battery, and it is certainly possible that it could have fried a board aka a modem. but i'm afraid that's about all i can help...... i live a bit away.

Sorry i can't help more, but yeah it is possible that it could have got your battery and modem, you get no dialtone through it so it's a big possibility that it could have gotten your modem. with a desktop i would suggest unpluggin it for 10 seconds then plugging it back up, there are surge suppressors on the motherboard or power supply in them that if they are full then they won't allow the comp to turn on butthat's a desktop so i'm not really sure.

Sorry

Malakelle · Post by **Malakelle** » Sat Aug 02, 2003 10:09 pm

My exes Laptop when it got a surge thats what happened, I would suggest taking it back were you bought it at. Most places have a return if something like that happens, I know Best buy did, We returned it close to a year latter and did not have to pay for a restocking fee.

Wanderer · Post by **Wanderer** » Sun Aug 03, 2003 12:52 am

Were you using the modem and/or have the phone line hooked up to the laptop during the storm? I've seen a few modems get blown out that way, part of the reason the 6-socket plugs with phone jacks got popular. I'd say at the least that either the phone jack is dead (should be able to hook a phone to it easily and check that), or you fried the modem.

How to check for damage to a battery? Unfortunately you most likely won't be able to without being able to do parts switching. If your battery's not charging your most likely problems are one of 3.

A: The battery fried. This is unlikely as you are still able to power your laptop from the battery, unless somehow it burnt the connection in the battery to not be able to charge... odd but it happens.

B: Whatever resistor is between your powersupply and the battery that keeps it down to a good level for your battery blew out. Excellent possibility.

C: It's charging but the power level monitor got fried. Also unlikely but a possibility.

All in all, the only way you're going to know is with a new battery, or bringing it to the repair shop and asking them to test it. Most places I know that do laptop repairs can do a test on the battery to see if it's good. At least then you'll know what you're in for in 2 to 3 weeks.

Wish you luck.

blindboy · Post by **blindboy** » Sun Aug 03, 2003 1:21 am

if you need a powersupply i may be able to help you out. wat is the voltage rating on the supply? and ill check what i have.

QueenOfTheFlock · Post by **QueenOfTheFlock** » Sun Aug 03, 2003 9:36 am

Wanderer wrote:Were you using the modem and/or have the phone line hooked up to the laptop during the storm? I've seen a few modems get blown out that way, part of the reason the 6-socket plugs with phone jacks got popular. I'd say at the least that either the phone jack is dead (should be able to hook a phone to it easily and check that), or you fried the modem.

How to check for damage to a battery? Unfortunately you most likely won't be able to without being able to do parts switching. If your battery's not charging your most likely problems are one of 3.

A: The battery fried. This is unlikely as you are still able to power your laptop from the battery, unless somehow it burnt the connection in the battery to not be able to charge... odd but it happens.

B: Whatever resistor is between your powersupply and the battery that keeps it down to a good level for your battery blew out. Excellent possibility.

C: It's charging but the power level monitor got fried. Also unlikely but a possibility.

All in all, the only way you're going to know is with a new battery, or bringing it to the repair shop and asking them to test it. Most places I know that do laptop repairs can do a test on the battery to see if it's good. At least then you'll know what you're in for in 2 to 3 weeks.

Wish you luck.

Thanks. Please don't laugh now but the resistor? There's the cord I use to charge it and it has two parts, one having a little box on it? Is that the resistor? It says AC Adaptor so I have no clue. If so, I am crossing my fingers that that is what it is. I can afford a new modem if needed and probably one of those in 2.5 weeks. I don't think I can afford a new battary right now at $200. I should probably know a lot more about this than I do but I've always been much better at just using the computer. Now that I need the smarts, I feel like an idiot.

QueenOfTheFlock · Post by **QueenOfTheFlock** » Sun Aug 03, 2003 9:40 am

blindboy wrote:if you need a powersupply i may be able to help you out. wat is the voltage rating on the supply? and ill check what i have.

On the cord thing (more of my technical language)? I can tell you what it says. Input 100-240V~ 1.2-0.6A and below that has 50-60Hz
Output 15V==5A (where I put the equal signs it was actually hyphens with dots below them)

Not sure if that's what you were needing to know.

I greatly appreciate everyone's help.

QueenOfTheFlock · Post by **QueenOfTheFlock** » Sun Aug 03, 2003 9:43 am

Wanderer wrote:Were you using the modem and/or have the phone line hooked up to the laptop during the storm? I've seen a few modems get blown out that way, part of the reason the 6-socket plugs with phone jacks got popular. I'd say at the least that either the phone jack is dead (should be able to hook a phone to it easily and check that), or you fried the modem.

Wish you luck.

I forgot to respond to this part. Actually, the computer was on but in standby. I wasn't actually home when it happened. I had gone to the store. I always close the laptop when I am not using it but I dont always do a complete shutdown. If I will be coming back in a few hours, I just shut down the programs and shut the top so it will pop right back up when I get back. It was plugged in and connected to a phone line though as I don't unplug it in either way hardly ever. If I get it fixed though, I will definitely be doing that.

div · Post by **div** » Sun Aug 03, 2003 6:27 pm

what brand/model laptop, and is your modem a card that plugs in, or is it just a jack built into the machine?

i spent 5 years as a laptop repair tech for IBM, Dell, and NEC... there's very little i haven't seen, and fixed...

QueenOfTheFlock · Post by **QueenOfTheFlock** » Sun Aug 03, 2003 7:07 pm

div wrote:what brand/model laptop, and is your modem a card that plugs in, or is it just a jack built into the machine?

i spent 5 years as a laptop repair tech for IBM, Dell, and NEC... there's very little i haven't seen, and fixed...

I have to find my books for it. It's one of those cases where I put the papers up in safe place and can't remember where that was since it was a year ago. I know it's a Toshiba Satellite and it's one of the 2400/2405 series. I just don't remember which one. As for what kind of modem...I'm not sure. I can check really quick for the name of it. Ohkay, I was able to find this much out from the computer...it's a Toshiba Software Modem AMR and it gave a location of PCI bus 0, device 31, function 6. I have no clue if any of this will help. This might just be useless info. It's really all I have at the moment until I hopefully find that paperwork. Yes, I am feeling more and more like a computer illiterate than ever before.

Wanderer · Post by **Wanderer** » Sun Aug 03, 2003 9:53 pm

The resistor is between your power supply and the battery in the computer, however the power supply itself also has them (that little box). If you can power your laptop in any way through that cord, the cord should be fine.

On that note, though, I'm going to bow out to div. Experience vs. book, experience wins out.

div · Post by **div** » Mon Aug 04, 2003 2:14 pm

ok... looks like you have an internal modem via mini-pci. replacing the modem is cheap, and easy.
the problem is the battery charging issue. i haven't been able to locate schematics for your machine, and without having it in front of me i can't say for certain... but...

one of a few things has happened:

1.) the surge fried your modem through the phone line. Either this, or a voltage spike through the ac (was your laptop plugged straight into the wall, or a power strip?) took out your battery as well. replaceing both items in this case will fix all your problems. (this is the best case scenario. it's also not very likely that this is what happened)

2.) the surge was through the ac only. the fact that it fried the modem as well as the battery charging circuits leads me to think you'll need a new mainboard, or a DC card if your laptop has one - or maybe both. You still may end up replacing the battery and modem as well. (worst case scenario. main boards usually run as much or more than the cost of a new machine unless you can find one on ebay)

your options (in no certain order):

-sell the laptop as is on ebay. use the money to buy a new laptop.
- replace the modem (if anybody has a mini-pci modem of any type you can borrow, use it to see if the slot is dead first) and use the laptop on AC only.
-replace the battery and the modem and cross your fingers.
-send it in to toshiba. they have a $25 diagnostic fee for out of warranty machines, and a $100 + parts cost if you decide to repair it (they call you with a quote before starting repairs) DO NOT TELL THEM WHAT YOU THINK HAPPENED. if you mention lightning or power surges once, they will screw you. If you decide to send it in, let me know, and i'll prep you on what to do/say so that you come out of things as well as possible.

QueenOfTheFlock · Post by **QueenOfTheFlock** » Mon Aug 04, 2003 6:18 pm

div wrote:ok... looks like you have an internal modem via mini-pci. replacing the modem is cheap, and easy.
the problem is the battery charging issue. i haven't been able to locate schematics for your machine, and without having it in front of me i can't say for certain... but...

one of a few things has happened:

1.) the surge fried your modem through the phone line. Either this, or a voltage spike through the ac (was your laptop plugged straight into the wall, or a power strip?) took out your battery as well. replaceing both items in this case will fix all your problems. (this is the best case scenario. it's also not very likely that this is what happened)

2.) the surge was through the ac only. the fact that it fried the modem as well as the battery charging circuits leads me to think you'll need a new mainboard, or a DC card if your laptop has one - or maybe both. You still may end up replacing the battery and modem as well. (worst case scenario. main boards usually run as much or more than the cost of a new machine unless you can find one on ebay)

your options (in no certain order):

-sell the laptop as is on ebay. use the money to buy a new laptop.
- replace the modem (if anybody has a mini-pci modem of any type you can borrow, use it to see if the slot is dead first) and use the laptop on AC only.
-replace the battery and the modem and cross your fingers.
-send it in to toshiba. they have a $25 diagnostic fee for out of warranty machines, and a $100 + parts cost if you decide to repair it (they call you with a quote before starting repairs) DO NOT TELL THEM WHAT YOU THINK HAPPENED. if you mention lightning or power surges once, they will screw you. If you decide to send it in, let me know, and i'll prep you on what to do/say so that you come out of things as well as possible.

Have I told you lately that I love you? No, really. I mean, this gives me so much to go on and much more to make a better decision on what to do with. Thanks so much. I will definitely let you know what I decide. *hugs*