Toshiba E55T A5320 Not powering on when battery is inserted

[sunniest]

My laptop stopped booting. I removed the back cover, unplugged the battery; connected AC adapter, it started normally. I assumed the old battery was bad. I purchased a brand new battery and replaced the old one. Connected AC adapter and it didn't start again - same old problem. I unplugged the new battery and the laptop starts with AC adapter connected.

So, if AC adapter is connected and (new) battery is plugged in, it is not working. The LED glows briefly for 2-3 seconds and goes off. It works only with battery unplugged. My kid dropped the laptop on the pavement at school and since then this problem is going on. I initially thought it was a battery problem; but discovered that's not the case.

Any help is appreciated. It's hard to use this just with AC adapter. Thanks in advance.

 

[webworkings]

Will the battery charge when the laptop is off?

It could be the charging circuit on the motherboard, but I would try charging it when off first.

 

[sunniest]

@webworkings - My problem is exactly the same problem described by dpark34 here http/www.tomsguide.com/answers/id-2827899/notebook-battery-charging-powers-battery.html

When battery is connected and when I plug the AC adapter to the laptop, a solid Orange light glows for 1-2 seconds and goes off. Nothing happens after that and laptop is not powering on. When I unplug the battery and connect the AC adapter, the same light glows white and stays on. Then I'm able to power on the laptop. Something that's supposed to conduct the power from AC--> Battery-->laptop is not working fine. This happens even with a new replacement battery.

 

[webworkings]

It could be a faulty AC adapter. If it is running at less than optimal power, which would inhibit its ability to both run the computer and charge the battery, you would not be able to run it while the drained battery was in.

 

[sunniest]

It could be a faulty AC adapter. If it is running at less than optimal power, which would inhibit its ability to both run the computer and charge the battery, you would not be able to run it while the drained battery was in.

 

[sunniest]

Thanks. I'm using the original AC adapter that came with the laptop. I used it with another laptop and it just works fine. I tried another AC adapter from another laptop- same problem of solid orange light glowing for 2 secs and turning off.

The only way to test battery connection is to charge the battery fully outside the laptop and then try plugging it in without AC adapter and see if it powers on the laptop. Unfortunately this model requires the back cover to be removed to access the battery and I don't know how to charge the battery outside the laptop. :-( I don't have another laptop to try!

 

[webworkings]

Understood. Is there a reset switch on the device? If so, you may be able to push that (it will be a pinhole) and it should reset the battery (as if pulled out). Try that and then see if it will charge.

If this doesn't work, then I can't think of anything else that would be 'simple' to do to fix it. Other options really would require opening it up and seeing what is going on inside. If you are not experienced with that, or not comfortable doing it, I would suggest either contacting the manufacture, if it is under warranty still, or if it isn't then try a local tech or repair shop.

 

[sunniest]

I don't see any reset switch and again this model (sold by Best buy) lacks any online documentation. It's out of warranty too as it's been over a year since I purchased it. I am comfortable handling electronics, opening them up, replacing a spare or two. In fact I upgraded the memory and replaced the HDD with SSD on this one as well. But I have no idea about circuits, boards, etc. Looks like I'm out of luck on this one! Anyway, thanks for taking time to respond to my queries. Appreciate it very much.

 

[webworkings]

Apologies. I am drawing a blank here. If anyone else has any suggestions I am sure they would be welcome.