hp ze4300 startup/power issues

[akhrin]

I'll admit I've put my laptop through quite a bit over the past few years (I've lost count of the number of times I've switched OS, broken individual bits, etc) but I fear it could be the end. Aside from various inconveniences I've just this morning hit a major snag in that I can no longer boot up my laptop.

Amongst my recent problems have been complaints from the power management system that my battery has a low charge or I should switch to AC power even though I already am, and removing the AC adapter often (trhough not always) has led to the system immediately losing power.

This happened again this morning but when I tried to start up the LED's along the top bar of the keyboard flickered on and off and that was it. I've left it plugged in several hours now but the battery status light is still orange (for charging) though it occasionally turns of completely for a few seconds, and checking the power status on the battery itself reveals no charge.

I did read elsewhere (Power Problems with my hp pavilion ze5478cl) that power jacks on hp laptops could be problematic, so I don't know if that could be the issue, or if I need a new battery or if I should simply give up on it.

I have been intending to get a new computer as soon as I can get the money together, so along with the other issues I'm thinking this may be a sign that I need to give in to fate, get an overdraft and buy a new computer.

 

[donkey42]

right, how old is the laptop, because this trick used to work with old laptop's, disconnect the battery and connect the power jack, then try to turn on, if no power lights come on you need either a new PSU or you need to strip laptop down and attack it with a soldering iron (probably a dry joint on PSU socket)

 

[akhrin]

Well it's about 4 years old now, I've tried running it with no battery in, the power light flashes orange which signifies no battery, then I get the same issue when I hit the power, led's light up momentarilly then nothing else happens. It might make sense for something inside to have come undone, the ethernet port has gone a bit mental in the past month or so to the point that I can no longer use it and that's right next to the power.