[jake1496]

I bought a Lenovo PC two years ago but hadn't used it since the last year. Then I found I even can't power it up a few days ago. Who can help me? Thanks!

[no2pencil]

** Topic moved to Computer Support & Operating Systems **

Do you have a multimeter, can you test the ac adapter & verify that the laptop is receiving power?

[CharlieMay]

Check the CMOS battery. I wouldn't think that would cause your exact problem but I've seen strange problems when the CMOS battery goes completely dead.

[Trakker]

Hit the button harder.
If that fails, remove the front panel and press the actual button connected to the circuit board.
Failing that, no2's multimeter suggestion is next.

[no2pencil]

No offense Trekker, but I would check the multimeter before taking peices parts off the laptop. I've yet to see a button break (or die) before something electronic fails on the laptop. In fact I have yet to see a dead button.

[Trakker]

Forgive me, still in desert mindset. That was the number one thing that has failed on our laptops in the past 2 years (all HP)
I've had to actually order new buttons and solder them on myself.

No offense taken, just need to switch mindsets.

But you're right, A/C adapter first, then the power connector on the laptop second, then maybe capacitors? THEN the button

[Lemur]

Then don't even think of touching the button. Hire a professional

[no2pencil]

Trakker, on 04 February 2010 - 02:51 PM, said:

No offense taken, just need to switch mindsets.

The reason I got so defensive about it, is because customers always call in saying that the buttons is broke. No, your computer doesn't work because something is jacked up. The button is irrelevant. I mean, speaking from a non-desert, Ohio point of view. Like I said, I have yet to see a button go bad, but that's always what they think it is. If I followed what they said, I'd have fixed hundreds of non-broken buttons & the problem would still remain. Then they'd start in with the "you don't know what you are doing" accusation.

Have you used any of the panasonic tough-books in the desert? Do those hold up any better than a regular laptop?

[Trakker]

they do, but getting drivers for them is hard, and using them is not exactly easy. we have tons of them, but we also have tons of hp laptops. The only problems we have with the toughbooks are the power adapters. Also getting the touchscreen to work is a pain. But straight from the factory they're great computers. We've been bored and put them to the test as well, and the ACTUAL ruggedized ones hold up well, the BUSINESS ruggedized ones...they're not exactly that tough, but they are very resistant to sand, dust, and spills.

[no2pencil]

Couldn't the power button be re engineered with a Toggle switch? I know that the ATX bios is going to allow for hold down power off settings.... but I would think that something could be done to add a mechanical on/off switch rather than the provided one.

[no2pencil]

Well, update. Just got a failed button

Wasn't on a laptop, but still thought you might find it amusing. Time to strip some VCRs for parts.

[calvinthedestroyer]

Trakker jinx it!

[Pwn]

Does anybody here assume this guy even has the thing plugged up? Haven't used it in a year, so maybe the battery is dead and he needs to charge it or replace it.

[no2pencil]

Covered that in my original reply... verify the power from the AC Adapter.

[calvinthedestroyer]

did his house have a flood during the last year? That happened to one of my PC's once. It got wet when the fish tank over flowed, and no one noticed that the water went all the way over to were the PC was. Good thing it wasn't plugged in at the time.