12.7.4 Laptop Troubleshooting Guidelines

Learn to use the service manuals of laptop manufacturers to learn troubleshooting procedures for a laptop's particular make and model.

Troubleshooting Power (Raw Lesson Content)

Laptops can run on AC power from the power adapter or battery power. When troubleshooting power, verify that:

• The cord from the AC outlet to the power adapter is correctly connected to both the wall and the adapter. Move it around to see if you can make a secure connection.
• The LED light on the power adapter is lit. If it isn't lit, the point of failure is between the outlet and the adapter.
• The battery is sufficiently charged. If the battery reads fully charged in Windows, disconnect the laptop from its power source. If the battery lasts only a short amount of time, replace the battery.
• If the computer runs for only a short time even while plugged in, it could be that the power adapter is bad. If the adapter is not working, the computer will run off of the battery until the battery is drained. Try using a different adapter or verify the power coming from the adapter.
• If the battery seems to be losing the ability to hold a charge, or if the power drops shortly after starting to use the laptop, try recalibrating the battery.
• If the device starts to show signs of distortion, bulging, or wobbling, the battery may be swollen. Possible causes are the battery is too old, or was exposed to too much heat and humidity. You must replace a swollen battery.

Troubleshooting Video (Raw Lesson Content)

If the laptop has no display at all:

• You can press Function (Fn) and the appropriate display key to switch the display output to the laptop monitor.
• If the built-in monitor isn't working, connect an external monitor to the laptop. Use the Fn keys to direct output to the external monitor.
• If you don't get a display on either monitor, you likely have a problem with the video card. Repairing the video card typically means replacing the motherboard.
• If the display renders on the external monitor but doesn't render on the laptop, there is likely a problem with the LCD display. If this is the case, you should verify:
  • The LCD cutoff switch is working. Sometimes the switch can get stuck in the off position, preventing the output from going to the LCD.
  • There aren't cracks in the bezel around the LCD. Bezel cracks can be an indicator that the LCD has been damaged.
  • The power bundles that go from the laptop to the LCD are not damaged or cracked. Remove the bezel around the LCD to inspect the power bundles.

Additional problems with laptop displays include:

• Dead Spots—areas on the screen (sometimes entire rows or columns of pixels) that no longer work. This means that the LCD assembly is no longer functioning and you need to replace it. Be aware that it is often cheaper to purchase a new laptop computer than to replace the display.
• Bad backlight—may cause a display to become dim. It is important to note that dimming the backlight is a power saving method used by laptop computers. Always verify that the screen isn't dimmed before replacing the backlight.
• Flickering Screen—can be caused by a faulty backlight or inverter. Replacement parts can be purchased from the laptop's manufacturer.

If you know that the LCD needs to be replaced but you don't have the resources to buy a new LCD or a new laptop, consider converting the laptop into a desktop system by connecting it to an external monitor permanently. If the video card is bad, try using a remote solution (such as Remote Desktop) to connect to the laptop from an external system.

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