I have a Sony Viao laptop and is about 2 years old (bought it in 2005) Today i switched on the computer and started browsing through the internet. After about 15-20 minutes the computer froze completely. I could not move the mouse cursor or press any button on the keypad (i.e. try to access Task Manager). I then held down the power button to switch it off but nothing happened. The screen was working and the laptop was still on (fans still can be heard etc). So the only way i could shut it down was to take the battery out - this is exactly what i did. Then i left it for a couple minutes before piecing back the battery and mains adaptor and tried switching it back on again, result = nothing, my laptop is officially dead weight!!! As i am insured with PC World i gave them a call, not even them could tell me what happened to my laptop. Its now gonna be picked up on Monday and sent away for it to be fixed... But what happened to my laptop?? The good side is that i may get a new (better) laptop if they cant fix it... Whats the worse that could happen to my laptop for them not being able to fix it?? Thanks
had that happen in a customer's computer. the psu fan had seized & the capacitors were domed. as long as pc was left on then alright but turn it off & won't be able to reboot til psu was replaced. the same might have happened to you but are motherboard caps that are domed.
Thanks for the reply... What do you mean by - "but are motherboard caps that are domed." Is there a good chance that they will fix my laptop?? To be honest with you, im hoping they cant so that i cant get myself a newer & higher spec laptop!!
Well all motherboards have something called capacitors. Basically all they do is store energy. In older motherboards the tend to get domed(usually they have a flat top) and don't work anymore. That is what he means by domed caps. They could just swap out the motherboard and the PSU and according to ddp that would be it. I think they probably wont bother and just give you a new one.
you say older motherboards but how are we talking? my laptop modle (Sony Viao VGN-A317M) was just released when i bought it in 2005 so its only 2 years old, i dont have any idea how the motherboard/components are. Also i did upgrade the RAM from 512MB to 2GB (2x 1GB) over a year ago, would this play a part in the problem? The RAM did raise the temperature but i did check it was compatible before installing & ive never had problems.
the RAM should have nothing to do with it, but if possible before you send it to get fixed i would replace the new ram with the origianl, or they might not service it (and you can sell the RAM if they give you a new laptop)
Yeah it's just that newer boards(like mine) have solid capacitors which(I believe) were not the faulty models, but you are right motherboard manufacturers still use some of the faulty capacitors.
if you have can shaped objects on your motherboard then most likely they are capacitors. i haven't worked on a board yet that doesn't have 1.
I know, I believe most circuit boards have them. I was just saying that newer motherboards tend not to use the faulty ones(although some still do).
Thanks for the replies guys, So if it was just the PSU fan, would that explain why the computer doesnt work anymore, i.e. the computer disables the power input to prevent further or any damage to the motherboard?? If it is just the PSU then its a quick and simple component replacement right?? If its the capacitors then its likely to be more damage to motherboard right?? Sorry for the noobish questions, i'll know in good time what exactly has happened to my laptop
most laptops have power adapters on the outside that converts outside line voltage 120/240v ac down to about 12v dc. these adapters don't have a fan in them, just the laptop itself.
