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Laptop - worth repairing?

Segnosaur

Penultimate Amazing
Segnosaur
Joined
Jan 18, 2002
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Canada, eh?
I'm looking for a little diagnostic advice...

I recently obtained an ASUS x509m laptop. The windows installation was messed up, but I managed to install Linux Mint on it.

However, there seems to be an issue with the power supply. Even when plugged in (and the icon in the system tray seems to recognize it as plugged in) the battery kept discharging. Now it appears to be completely dead.

So it could be a battery issue, but I don't know.

Anyone have any suggestions about what the problem would be? Is it worth getting it repaired?

(It isn't my main computer and there is nothing on it that needs saving. It would just be a secondary/backup laptop, and I would need to compare the cost of fixing the laptop with buying a low-cost refurbished laptop.)
 
Take the battery out. Hold the power button down for 30 seconds. Reinstall the battery, plug it in, see if it works. Alternatively, try plugging it in with the battery out.

The first instance worked for me once when I had a similar problem.
 
theprestige said:
See if your local computer repair shop does free quotes, and if they sell refurbs.
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I've already looked into that.

I haven't yet found any repair shops that give a free "this is how much it will cost guaranteed" quote. One has a relatively cheep $30 diagnostic charge, but repairs could be anything. Another that has a $200 charge, but that would also cover a battery replacement if it is needed.
 
alfaniner said:
Take the battery out. Hold the power button down for 30 seconds. Reinstall the battery, plug it in, see if it works. Alternatively, try plugging it in with the battery out.

The first instance worked for me once when I had a similar problem.
Click to expand...
On this model of Asus, the battery is internal, so its hard to just remove it. (I'm kind of hesitant to open up a laptop. I've done plenty of stuff inside desktop machines in the past, but laptops make me more nervous.)
 
I had the same issue with an old Asus K series laptop, removable battery though. Bought a new battery and it worked - for about a month and back to the same problem. Consigned to the junk pile, bought another cheapo laptop.
 
If not hardware then it could be a software management (driver) issue. I had that on a machine several months back, and if the power scheme was too much skewed towards high performance, the battery would not charge, but diminish. But that was on Windows 10.

If it is hardware it could be charger, battery, charging circuitry on the motherboard.

It might be worth the small diagnostic charge.
 
Had a quick look on YouTube and it looks pretty easy to replace yourself. I've been fine getting replacement batteries on E-Bay, with the normal check the vendor caveats, and if you don't already have some plastic pry tools then a quick trip to iFixit should sort that out.
 
When the battery in my laptop (2 laptops ago) started to act up, I removed it and only used cable power.
Maybe you don't need to actually replace it?
 
You say "recently obtained". I assume you did not buy it new. If you did there would be a warranty. My wife's new ipad had a similar problem. Apple simply replaced the ipad. 4 day turnaround from the time the faulty one was picked up until the new one was delivered. I personally dont care for Apple products but i was mighty impressed with their customer service.
 
Best case scenario, it is probably going to be a push with buying a refurbished one. I did pretty much the same with my mom's old laptop. Installed Linux Mint, new battery, added RAM. Battery still sucks. I'm just going to isntall headless Ubuntu on it and host some services on it at this point.
 
The Great Zaganza said:
When the battery in my laptop (2 laptops ago) started to act up, I removed it and only used cable power.
Maybe you don't need to actually replace it?
Click to expand...
I wouldn't mind just using cable power. But, the laptop is currently dead, even when plugged in.

Perhaps if I removed the battery it might work, but I'd have to open up the machine. (Which I am hesitant to do if it can still be fixed by a competent person.)
 
Steve said:
You say "recently obtained". I assume you did not buy it new. If you did there would be a warranty.
Click to expand...
I inherited it. Relative passed away, and I took it to see if there were any relevant files on it. (I had enough battery charge to do that, and there was nothing useful on it.)

The laptop itself was probably purchased a little over a year ago, in a different city, and who knows where the receipt is. So, can't really track down the warranty.

(I could look into a Ouija board to find out where it was purchased from, but I don't expect much success.)
 
If it was purchased a year ago, you might try contacting the manufacturer. It's possible they would honor a warranty if the serial number shows it's new enough.
 
Maybe try the manufacturer first as they may be sympathetic in the circumstances depending on who answers the query.
Otherwise Mongrels video looks simple. The first time you open a laptop is a bit scary but this looks simple. Use plastic tools, I have a nice set from amazon I bought for mobile phones. Before that I improvised with, for various things, an old store loyalty card, a plectrum (where the hell did that come from) etc.
 
Wudang said:
Can you borrow a compatible charger? Or have spare power cables? Check the power in socket for crud?
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Unfortunately I don't know anyone with a similar model.

And like I said, it recognizes that it is plugged into a power source, so the laptop knows that SOMETHING is there.
 
Segnosaur said:
I'm looking for a little diagnostic advice...

I recently obtained an ASUS x509m laptop. The windows installation was messed up, but I managed to install Linux Mint on it.

However, there seems to be an issue with the power supply. Even when plugged in (and the icon in the system tray seems to recognize it as plugged in) the battery kept discharging. Now it appears to be completely dead.

So it could be a battery issue, but I don't know.

Anyone have any suggestions about what the problem would be? Is it worth getting it repaired?

(It isn't my main computer and there is nothing on it that needs saving. It would just be a secondary/backup laptop, and I would need to compare the cost of fixing the laptop with buying a low-cost refurbished laptop.)
Click to expand...

Worn out batteries are a common problem. Get a replacement. They aren't that expensive. Personally I use eBay but you can get them on Amazon too.
 
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