Is this laptop dead?

DJ...

DJ...

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Had a laptop connected to a router that was struck by lightning. Router blown.

Just checked the laptop (plugged in) and when I switch it on, it starts for about 2 seconds and the dies. Nothing comes up on the screen at all. I can hear the hard drive begin to spin then it just powers off.

The reason I think it's blown and it's not just a dead battery and blown charger is that it dies consistently at the same time, which it doesn't do when the battery is dead. The charger was also plugged in to a multiplug that is absolutely fine, as are all of the other devices connected to the multiplug. It was however plugged in to the router that was blown, so it indicates that something in the laptop has blown. Might require a claim from insurance for these things.

Any thoughts? I don't even know how to test for the problem...:confused:
 
could be motherboard gone... take battery out, connect AC power only and try to boot up.

laptop_axe920.jpg
 
I thought if the motherboard was gone it wouldn't even try to start up. Or is that the PSU?

EDIT: took out the battery. Tried to switch on. Same problem...:(
 
If you've got a multimeter then you can test the power brick. Beyond that you have little chance of making progress on your own tbh. Laptops don't lend themselves to DIY
 
if the motherboard is fooked it can still switch on it will just switch off

I've got an HP laptop with a bust motherboard that you can switch on and 9/10 times it switches off immediately, the other time it carries a full load and then at some random point will just switch off. At the moment its sitting as a bust up (the HDD is in use) but sometimes the annoyance factor is outweighed by a 5 day on period
 
HavocXphere said:
If you've got a multimeter then you can test the power brick. Beyond that you have little chance of making progress on your own tbh. Laptops don't lend themselves to DIY
Click to expand...

I've got. What exactly am I testing? Couldn't figure out how to test the charger as the lead after the transformer might be gone as well. Didn't know what to look for after that, nor what to test...
 
More than likely the power surge from the lightning bolt made its way to your motherboard and fried a few components.

If the laptop is worth the money, you could potentially repair it - or if it's not then bury it.
 
genetic said:
More than likely the power surge from the lightning bolt made its way to your motherboard and fried a few components.

If the laptop is worth the money, you could potentially repair it - or if it's not then bury it.
Click to expand...

Hopefully insurance will cover it and I'll have about R10k to spend on a new one...
 
They say the battery acts like a UPS, i think its a nice big paperweight now.

DJ WHY YOU NO WIRELESS?
 
DJ... said:
I've got. What exactly am I testing? Couldn't figure out how to test the charger as the lead after the transformer might be gone as well. Didn't know what to look for after that, nor what to test...
Click to expand...
set it to DC voltage setting and check whats coming out of the power brick. carefully...its a little sketchy since the contacts are so close to each other & don't lend themselves to testing

the correct output rating is on the power brick for reference

chances are the mobo is fried though so not much hope
 
Be careful when connecting different chargers. Voltage has to be the same and maximum load not smaller.
I am afraid laptop is finished (99%).
 
Last edited:
HavocXphere said:
set it to DC voltage setting and check whats coming out of the power brick. carefully...its a little sketchy since the contacts are so close to each other & don't lend themselves to testing

the correct output rating is on the power brick for reference
Click to expand...

Unfortunately the voltage might be correct but it wont function under load.
 
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