Calling all geeks!!!

[K C Muffin]

I have a question. The laptop I use at home (relatively few programs on it outside of internet, quicken, and the office suite...) works really well and is lightning fast for what I paid for it. It's a Toshiba, but I have no idea of anything else. All of a sudden this morning, when I turn it on, the screen lighted up and it just sat there. I pushed all the stupid buttons.

I was just gonna throw it against the wall, but I don't have the paint to patch a hole. Then I finally turned it over and took the battery out and slipped it back in. (used to work with my old Dell) Now, I use AC power whenever I can, so I don't drain the battery (which lasts only about an hour anyway). That seemed to make it start. Great! I'm elated!

Then I came back up, fired it up just a few minutes ago and the same thing.

Can somebody tell me what the battery has to do with it not starting up when it's on AC? So I don't have to call the Geek Squad? Please?

[Highwayman]

Originally Posted by K C Muffin

...I pushed all the stupid buttons....

Try pushing smarter buttons.

If there is something wrong with the battery it could be drawing the power from the AC adapter and not leaving enough to power the computer.

[K C Muffin]

crap


Any other ideas? Otherwise, I'm headed to Big Box store to buy another stinking battery.

[Highwayman]

I would attempt to fully charge the battery and have it tested before replacing it. Could the Big Box store test it for you? It might be worth a couple of phone calls before heading out.

[KONQ RADIO]

Originally Posted by K C Muffin

crap


Any other ideas? Otherwise, I'm headed to Big Box store to buy another stinking battery.

In the realm of possibilities, you might be getting off easy.

[Detector]

Almost sounds like it going into Hibernation. You sure the AC power is working?

Right Click on your desktop and go to Properties. Click the Screen saver Tab at the bottom click the Power button. Click the Hibernation Tab and take the checkmark off the Checkbox if it's on. Click OK all the way out and see if it happens.

[K C Muffin]

Thanks, Detector! I just did that, shut it down again and started it again. It went through the ordinary setup that I see when I turned it on before.

So what good is the hibernation mode if it causes this problem? (well, it was only a problem for a non-geek) Thanks - you saved me several dinero!!!

[Tee]

Originally Posted by K C Muffin

Thanks, Detector! I just did that, shut it down again and started it again. It went through the ordinary setup that I see when I turned it on before.

So what good is the hibernation mode if it causes this problem? (well, it was only a problem for a non-geek) Thanks - you saved me several dinero!!!

I've seen this many times.

Yes, a bad battery can keep it from starting up, even if the laptop is on AC power. The battery is shorted which happens quite often. By removing the battery, you've eliminated the draw and it allows the laptop to boot up.

[jeezeweeze]

KC, these boyz are the best doncha know.....they are all brainiacs on just about anything. I am so jealous.

[K C Muffin]

Oh, no, Weezie - I prefer to think of US as the brainiacs.....doncha know....it's cuz we're not afraid to ask for directions!!! I still appreciate it, though!