Computer Question

[D-MaN88 0]

I have a Toshiba Satellite laptop and I've had a problem for about the last month that I haven't really had time to fully deal with. My warranty has expired so sending it back is basically worthless and very expensive if something would need to be fixed. But the problem I'm having is the power pack/outlet cable won't charge the battery anymore/ (battery is dead) and it (the power pack) makes a ticking type noise whenever its plugged into the wall.

For those that are good with fixing and diagnosing computer problems or have had this same problem with a Toshiba, what are some suggestions to what I could do?

The one computer store I took it to (local) said that I could buy a new outlet/power pack and see if that would work but from what I've seen they are over $100 and to spend that type of money without knowing for sure, that's a lot of coin.

I'm just looking for some help/advice/suggestions to what it could be and what I could do, thanks in advance!

[LegoDoom 0]

Was this gradual or did it happen all of the sudden? Does the battery charge LED flicker if you wiggle the power adapter plug? Is there a light on your adapter that comes on when it's plugged in?

It might be as simple as re-soldering or replacing your DC IN jack.

[kovalchuk71 212]

That happened to my DC jack on my Satellite. Cost me 150.00 to get it fixed.

[D-MaN88 0]

Lego, I was just sitting on my couch one day listening to some music and reading up on ModSquad and I noticed the battery level was low so I grabbed the DC pack and plugged it in the wall and then the plug to the laptop and noticed it wouldn't charge. Then all of a sudden the "ticking" sound started from the DC pack itself.

The LED does not flicker at all, no lights flicker or come on at all, it's completely dead. As far as the DC pack, no there are no lights on it.

That's why it confused me, it just happened out of no where and I mean I know a good amount of stuff about computers but this dumbfounded me.

[Lufria 1]

Ticking is no good - you're probably going to have to get it looked at by someone who knows hardware very well. problem is, even sodering through big companies like geek-squad is a very expensive process - it's not a easy fix.

I would suggest bringing it to a local computer store (a small, family owned one) and ask them to try to charge the laptop with their own laptop chargers. If that works, then all you need to do is just get a new AC pack.

If it doesn't - that indicates a problem with the connecting piece on the motherboard, or a defective battery, or worse - both.

Hopefully this helps!

[DEATHTRON 19]

Know someone with a simliar charger? See if theirs works....one way to find out things!

Zach

[GoHawks 0]

if it's just the ac charger that's shot, search ebay for a new one. My friend had his charger die on him (old dell comp), got one on ebay for about 25 bucks shipped. Way better than 150 for a new one or a repair. Sounds like a hardware problem to me, but i'd suggest googling your symptoms and seeing if there are any computer forums that have an answer for you. Good luck

[NYR1982 0]

I used to be a field engineer and have some experience with Toshiba laptops. The ticking you are referring to is usually indicative of a bad power supply. Always start to troubleshoot at the source of your problems. In this case, you can't get power to go into the laptop so you would first verify there is power coming out of the outlet then verify that the charger is working. Like it was previously suggested, try another power supply and see if it charges. If not then it could be the DC jack itself.