HP G60 laptop will not run off battery power

[Stu]

I got a HP G60 laptop that will not run off battery power. Initial symptoms were that of a failed battery, i.e, running fine off mains power, but battery not charging at all.

I installed a brand new replacement battery and here is the weird thing: the battery was showing 50% full and charging quite happily, yet as soon as I remove the charger the laptop immediately loses power and cuts out. It will not power up from the battery, even though it is charged.

If I re-insert the charger, the laptops powers on and the battery continues charging.

My initial thoughts are maybe some damage has been caused to the circuit that draws power from the battery? I'm guessing this is a mobo replacement job?

 

[16k_zx81]

Why replace? Dont you have someone nearby who can do board repairs?

 

[Stu]

Why replace? Dont you have someone nearby who can do board repairs?

No we don't do repairs at the motherboard level.

 

[16k_zx81]

So outsource? Cheap repair for customer, potential markup for you. Everyone happy.

Not sure how long you have been doing laptop repairs, but you will get a lot of board issues. If your answer is to always replace the board outright, often that will be a repair that exceeds the value of the machine itself. In other words lost opportunities for otherwise potential repairs business.

 

[Stu]

So outsource? Cheap repair for customer, potential markup for you. Everyone happy.

Not sure how long you have been doing laptop repairs, but you will get a lot of board issues. If your answer is to always replace the board outright, often that will be a repair that exceeds the value of the machine itself. In other words lost opportunities for otherwise potential repairs business.

First of all, I'm not here for business advice thanks. I'm asking for advice regarding the particular issue with this laptop.

Secondly, In my experience, motherboard repairs have a tendency to go wrong again. I'd much rather replace with new or known-working parts. I don't personally know anyone who does it locally even if I did want to go down that route.

Now if anyone has come across this issue before, or can confirm it is a motherboard issue, I would be grateful to hear from you, thanks.

 

[16k_zx81]

First of all, I'm not here for business advice thanks. I'm asking for advice regarding the particular issue with this laptop.

Secondly, In my experience, motherboard repairs have a tendency to go wrong again. I'd much rather replace with new or known-working parts. I don't personally know anyone who does it locally even if I did want to go down that route.

Now if anyone has come across this issue before, or can confirm it is a motherboard issue, I would be grateful to hear from you, thanks.

LOL

• Nope. Its perfectly possible to do the repair properly and offer a warranty. (Im not talking about reflows).

• If you plan to replace every faulty motherboard you get with a new board, it will be cost-prohibitive for a lot of customers. At least that much should be obvious. You're not doing a service to anyone saying to them ''errr...we need to replace that bit'' just because you dont know how to fix it. If you were providing a proper service you would offer them both options, and let them decide based on the pros and cons of each.

• Given your current approach, you do need business advice. Thats why I gave it to you.

 

[Stu]

• Nope. Its perfectly possible to do the repair properly and offer a warranty. (Im not talking about reflows).

In my experience it is not cost effective to outsource labour and factor in a little for yourself. I don't want the comeback when the repair fails. My customers don't want to wait weeks to get their laptops back.

• If you plan to replace every faulty motherboard you get with a new board, it will be cost-prohibitive for a lot of customers. At least that much should be obvious. You're not doing a service to anyone saying to them ''errr...we need to replace that bit'' just because you dont know how to fix it. If you were providing a proper service you would offer them both options, and let them decide based on the pros and cons of each.

Who says I want to replace every motherboard? Most motherboard failures we get end up with the customer buying a new laptop. This is not 2001 anymore, the average laptop doesn't cost £1,000/$2,000.

• Given your current approach, you do need business advice. Thats why I gave it to you.

No, you tried to ram your own business rhetoric down my throat. There is absolutely no need to be as arrogant as you have been towards me.

 

[Corbin]

Ok boys chill our for a minute lets get back to the topic.

OP I have seen this before and this is what I saved in my KB on this scenerio I think it came from CNET not sure tho. It can just be a simple Power Management issue, follow these steps it takes less then 2 minutes to do, good luck!!!

1. Click Start and type device in the search field, then select Device Manager .
2. Expand the Batteries category.
3. Under the Batteries category, right-click the Microsoft ACPI Compliant Control Method Battery listing, and select Uninstall .
WARNING: Do not remove the Microsoft AC Adapter driver or any other ACPI compliant driver.
4. On the Device Manager taskbar, click Scan for hardware changes .
Alternately, select Action > Scan for hardware changes

This is just a small simple step, there can be things wrong, there can be more let us know what happens.

 

[meanderer]

I doubt this is a software issue, as the power cuts out when AC is removed.

it looks like the battery contacts are blocked. You May need to get the board repaired.

 

[javjim]

This is basically a motherboard problem

Mosfet should be replaced it should be an easy fix if you can detect what mosfet is wrong and you can find a new one.

they are 8 legs and small squared but you have to be comfortable working with electronics