What's wrong with my laptop?

[Freedom4US]

Okay, I have a vaiio laptop that I love dearly. But let's backup a bit and explain how this almost impossible occurence.... (I screwed up, ok!!)

We were going away on vacation and decided to 'safe' the laptop, as it was not needed, and lurking in the back of mind was my ever present near paranoia 'did we remember to turn the stove off, honey??' and memories of internet pictures of laptop fires caused from faulty batteries ; No, we're gonna unplug this thing - and remove the battery. That is safe enough, right?

Remember when I said I was a bit paranoid? Well in my fevered imagination I further mused that I should store this potential fireworks display in the fridge ie the battery itself.

To make a long story longer the computer will not boot up all nor charge the battery. Not a peep. It should boot up without a battery from the AC wall adapter, or at least it did prior to my routine. Any ideas?

[SoldierMedic]

Is the battery back to room temp? Have you tried a new battery?

[Freedom4US]

Yes, I waited for that. Thing is, it used to operate fine with no battery installed.

[djf]

Some laptops have a small hole which is in effect the reset switch for the bios.

Does it show any lights at all? When you plug in the power supply, are there any lights or LCD indicators showing that he sees power?

Also, if you have any easily unpluggable units, you might try that. Some machines come with detachable floppied, CD, etc.

Try to get it down to the basics.

[Jean S]

Many computer stores will do a free diagnostic. You might want to try that.

[Wingy]

Do you know that there is a small internal battery to keep BIOS settings, maintain clock time and such? My guess is that you killed this one when you removed the main battery. If you are not comfortable taking your laptop apart and replacing this battery, it's off to Sony you go.

Yes, you screwed up.

[Freedom4US]

Hm... Wouldn’t the computer still boot up, tho? In my experience Bios backup cells last a good long time, years and years.

Oddly, I just plugged it in again after several weeks - and while it still won’t boot up, it is charging as evidenced by the flashing led, setting that didn’t happen till now....

[papasmurf]

A. Even if you “killed” the BIOs (actually called CMOS) battery, all that would happen is it would save the time and any memory resident instructions. Which I haven’t seen in a BIOS in maqny years.

B. Sometimes it takes up to two hours for a battery that is totally drained to start charging. Batteries aren’t just a collection of cells any more, there is circutry inside and it controls the charge, even whther or not to charge. Try plugging it in-in a tested outlet, and let it stand overnight. I’m sure it will start charging and all will be fine.

Good luck!

[Freedom4US]

Well I spoke too soon it seems - no more charge light blinky, after just a few minutes or so. The computer should boot and run fr the AC adapter, at least it did, and it is providing voltage according to my fluke. Yeah I can take it in like some one mentioned but that is a hassle and was hoping someone had something simple to suggest or explanation before I go that route.. Seems like I did try charging for a day or two already as well.

[papasmurf]

OK, this applies to PCG-V505AX, PCG-Z600, etc. models...

1) Disconnect battery/AC adapter
2) Slide “power button” to ON position for 2 minutes.
3) Disconnect CMOS battery (Which is located underneath the keyboard. See -> http://www.mech.northwestern.edu/hartmann/VAIOproblem.html)
4) Plug in AC adapter only (without battery)
5) Slide “power button” to ON for few seconds, you should see power LED is ON.
6) Shouyld power on, then Go to CMOS setup, and save and exit. ***If you didn’t save CMOS configuration, your Z505 will be stuck with the same symtoms again. You have to repeat from step 1.

Seems you’re not alone.

[Freedom4US]

Huh. Thank you very much for your help!

This is strange - on a lark, I decided to see if there was still power to the USB port(s); so I plugged in my iPhone.

Nope, nothing. Just for grins, I pushed the power button, and it spooled right up and works fine, in fact I’m posting this message from my laptop now. Battery was at 97 per cent charge. And, the unit should still spool up on AC adapter power anyway.

I remember reading a few folks who said their iPhone “killed” their laptop, and I poo-pooed the idea. I’m still not entirely sure there is a connection, but it is strange nonetheless. Too many variables to make a valid conclusion I suppose, but still.

Well - thanks guys! You motivated me to try a few things anyway, and that’s half the battle.

[papasmurf]

Great!

But, next time, please, don’t buy anything Sony. Get a quality lappy from http://www.sagernotebook.com , ok?

[Lawgvr1955]

I've had good luck with my two Sony Vaios. One is still running after 4.5 years. It has been dropped a number of times, left in the hot and cold car, etc. It keeps on going.

Whats the scoop on the Sager? Never have had one or been on one.

[MarkL]

You didn’t store the laptop in the fridge too, did you?

Mark

[papasmurf]

Sager is a subsidy of Clevo.

Clevo is the world's largest manufacturer of OEM laptops and peripherals. They manufacture for every name brand you can think of, and about 20 "whitebox" names, as well. Laptops aren't their only products, either. They are quite large in the Bio-Medical Technology field, and others.

The last year stats I was privy to, 2002, they had the lowest WRF (Warranty Failure Rate) in the industry, < 2%.

The 2 main benefits of a Sager are: a) High quality, low price. & b) Bleeding edge technology well before the majors, i.e. HP, Dell, gateway, Acer, etc. A side benefit is that the Sager store in California is well equipped to handle anything and they are intimately familiar with every aspect of the product, as they build each one there to order, as ordered.

...and that's the scoop! LOL

[Freedom4US]

No, only because only the battery is theoretically a fire hazard, if pretty dang remote. Just dont trust all things electrical esp. when not arpund to supervise. I unplug everything or better close the main breaker if gonna be away a while. Gotta wonder about the stuff that gets a UL sticker these days, or if it is counterfeit.