POWER-ON PROBLEM

[krishna_sahai]

Computer Sony Laptop,model PCG-FX140,Serial#T62M159.00 was kept powered-on but the screen/lid was closed and left connected to a surge protector strip to which some musical band instruments were also connected. Computer was set to "Laptop" in Power Management Window.Computer was not used. After several hours, it was brought back to office,power-on switch pressed to start as "Press any key" did not light up screen. Computer looked normal and even connected to internet but a warning on screen said:Battery critically low. After a few seconds it said:Battery power 0% and the screen became dark. Since then computer is dead. On pressing Power-on switch even power indicator LED does not glow. Voltage at the plug that goes into DC power jack on computer is correct,19.5V.It seems surge from musical instruments damaged power line in computer and battery had taken over at some point of time.Please advise.

[Raptor]

Laptop questions and answers

[Computer_Commando]

Laptop batteries are so-called "smart batteries", which have microchips imbedded.  The battery communicates with the BIOS and with Windows.  Many laptops will not start without a battery or with a dead battery, even with AC power brick.  Computer appears to be "stuck" in standby.  

You said:  "...Voltage at the plug that goes into DC power jack on computer is correct,19.5V..."  Does charge indicator light on laptop show that battery is charging?  If, yes, let it charge the battery.


To charge the battery pack
1 Connect the AC adapter to the computer.
2 Insert the battery pack.
The computer automatically charges the battery (the battery indicator light flashes in a double blink pattern as the battery charges).
3 When the battery is 85% full, the battery indicator light turns off. For PCGFX120/FX120K, PCG-FX140/FX140K models, this process takes
approximately 1.5 hours. For PCG-FX150/FX150K, PCG-FX170/FX170K, PCG-FX190/FX190K models, this process takes approximately 3.0 hours.

To charge the battery completely, continue charging for an additional hour. See “Displaying Battery Information”

Battery Indicator     Description
Light Status
On --------------------The computer is using battery power.
Single blink----------The battery is running out of power.
Double blink---------The battery is charging.
Off---------------------The computer is using AC power.

[krishna_sahai]

Thanks a lot for response. No LED glows on computer. It is dark & dead.

[Computer_Commando]

I just tried my laptop.  I removed the battery with AC plugged-in and computer will start.  I suspect your computer's internal voltage regulator is blown out.  Try removing battery and see if computer will start on AC only.

Is this computer still under warranty?
See Sony Vaio:  http://ciscdb.sel.sony.com/perl/select-p-n.pl

[krishna sahai]

It does not start on AC(discharged battery removed). Warranty expired.

[Computer_Commando]

It does not start on AC(discharged battery removed). Warranty expired.

Oops!  If it's not too old, it's probably worth repairing.  Look here:  http://www.portablecomputer.com/