My laptop has just died. It started up all sweet, but wasn't getting any power from the cord. I checked the device manager, and it reckoned betteries (And power supply?) were all working sweet. I turned the thing off, as it has a terrible battery life, and checked the power cord with a DMM. The cord was delivering current at the laptop end.

The last time I used the thing (a few nights ago), it worked fine, but the little transformer thats halfway up the power cord got quite hot, and there was a FAINT smell of hot electronics. I put this down to the somewhat graphics-intense games I was playing...

Does all of this mean that my power supply in the laptop has gone? And being a pretty average and 'few years old' laptop, would it be worth fixing? Its a Compaq Presario V6000.

I know this isn't a computing website, but I know that a few people out there are pretty PC savvy!

Any advise or things to try would be so much appreciated!

Cheers

My HP has recently done similar, the powerpack is very temperamental working some times and not others when it is not working the transformer makes a faint beeping noise. Don't know what the cause is but if I find out ill let you know.

I take it from all of that, that your batteries aren't charging, and your laptop isn't running on the power supply?

When you tested with the DMM were you sure the power supply was actually delivering current? or did you just check the voltage? - It may be a case of the power supply is not putting out the current required under load.

Try take the battery out of the laptop and run the laptop solely off the power supply, if it works fine your battery is probably coozed and is causing the power supply to fail, but from the sounds of it your power supply has gone.

If you know anyone who has a similar laptop grab their power supply and try run it on that (most power supplies from the same company are the similar).

PM me if you want any more detail (where are you located? i may be able to take a look at if your close to palmy)

Ohskidths wrote:My HP has recently done similar, the powerpack is very temperamental working some times and not others when it is not working the transformer makes a faint beeping noise. Don't know what the cause is but if I find out ill let you know.

Sounds like your chargers f*cked, the beeping noise (or high pitched whine) is an indication that the circuitry is on its way out, seeing as they're switch mode and are generally a sealed unit try and pick a cheap one up of tardme.

SamKnight wrote:I take it from all of that, that your batteries aren't charging, and your laptop isn't running on the power supply?

When you tested with the DMM were you sure the power supply was actually delivering current? or did you just check the voltage? - It may be a case of the power supply is not putting out the current required under load.

Try take the battery out of the laptop and run the laptop solely off the power supply, if it works fine your battery is probably coozed and is causing the power supply to fail, but from the sounds of it your power supply has gone.

If you know anyone who has a similar laptop grab their power supply and try run it on that (most power supplies from the same company are the similar).

PM me if you want any more detail (where are you located? i may be able to take a look at if your close to palmy)

Thanks for your help man! Unfortunately...

I tried the laptop without the battery, and there was absolutely nothing. Guts.

The power cord is delivering current, yes. I did check that. Unfortunately, I blew the fuse in the DMM shortly after, and I can't remember exactly how much current it's delivering. And me in my infinite wisdom didn't check the current I did get against the power supply's specs. So it could be stuffed, could not be. Could it be the part in the actual laptop that the cord plugs in to?

And I'm in Upper Hutt, Wellington.

Typical. I need my CV for this coming week too...

I hate to say it - but many of the DV series were crap. The number we have had through work is huge.

Google - hp dv series class action lawsuit

Mr_GTR wrote:Typical. I need my CV for this coming week too...

Take it to just about any repair shoppe and they'll be able to pluck any important files off the HDD for a moderate fee.

Otherwise when laptops of a certain age bung up (basically, laptops outside of warranty) it's probably a reasonable idea just to buy a new one. Replacement parts for old laptops are epic expensive, and as it's a bit older you've gotta realise that something else on it will probably go within the next little while anyway.

RussS wrote:I hate to say it - but many of the DV series were crap. The number we have had through work is huge.

Google - hp dv series class action lawsuit

It seems so. I have actually had the motherboard replaced too. It was JUST under warranty!

http://www.sfmslaw.com/class-action-law ... php?id=300

The problem described here is exactly right; it's probably the connection from the power plug to the motherboard...

Haha mines a DV6000 series, already had a battery replaced under warranty bout six mouths after I got it, now the battery lasts all of half and hour and the charger is nearly pooed. Hmmph if it makes it to the end of my degree Ill be happy, only six weeks to go !!!

Friends dont let friends by HP

I can't speak for the consumer models, but we sell the business grade HP machines at work and I would definitely recommend them as we have had very few problems with them. I can't say the same for some of the other brands we no longer deal with due to constant problems, and crap warranty support.

An older machine may not be worth repairing, especially if it's something that takes a bit of time like a motherboard. Have a look at http://www.laptopbattery.co.nz if it's a battery or power supply you are after. Depending on which voltage your specific model needs (looks like two options listed on the site for a V6000) you are looking at $24-$50 for the power supply and/or $100-$130 for a battery.

daveyboy wrote:I can't speak for the consumer models, but we sell the business grade HP machines at work and I would definitely recommend them as we have had very few problems with them.

what people don't seem to realise is the diff between 'business line' and 'consumer line' in laptops (apart from the obvious huge price diff). Means I see wayyyy too many students buying cheap and cheerful laptops (like presarios) and then having the grief of it expiring (usually at some really opportune time - like mid thesis write up). To be honest the level of engineering in the consumer stuff appalls me nowdays - sure it's cool you can get a decent spec laptop for $1K - it's not cool when it'll barely make it out of the manufacturers 1year warranty before it starts to (literally) fall apart. Those $1K machines are great for people who just want it as a 'desktop replacement' for home (where it basically just sits on a desk) but when they're getting thrown into bags several times a day you see all sorts of fun (dead power connectors, worn out usb ports, dead/floppy hinges, dying panel interconnects) - they're simply not designed for that level of use.

other option is to go the other way - go even cheaper - I'm really liking some of the new neo k125 netbooks (not as slow as the atom, and generally spec'd with a decent video chipset) - sub $800, and just plan on replacing every 12-18 months

My dv6000 is dying too. Not the power supply though, it's just slowing down and being crap. Will try reinstalling windows (need to get a storage device first to get all my photos and stuff off it). The power button no longer works and I have to boot it up using the Quickplay keys. I'm not too sad about it being on it's way out though... it was a replacement for my last laptop that the dog spilt wine on (damn boozer) about 3.5 years ago.
Now I just have to figure out what I'll buy next. Must be cheap!