Thinkpad 600X 2645-8EA Power issue

[ian-cameron]

Hoping someone can help out with this issue.

I've been told by the owner, the ex wife that she went to use the computer and tried turning it on but nothing happened. She doesn't know if the battery is charged up or not or even working. She uses the system like a desk top with A/C power plugged in all the time and on a computer desk. She's never used it like a portable, powered off the battery alone. Battery stays in just so she doesn't lose it.

She sent it to a "tech" who said "The power adaptor's stuffed and the motherboard has had it" She didn't ask for clarification of what that really meant. She was charged $80 for that sage like advice. Flamin' rip off.

I've put the A/C Power adaptor on the multimetre. It's pumping out 17.8volts at the male plug that goes into the computer. I think the "tech" treated her like a car mechanic treats women. Tell 'em anything cause they don't know any different and charge a fortune for nil results.

A/C (female plug) on computer has been damaged slightly. A small bit of yellow plastic has broken off that surrounds the outside contacts but the contacts are not damaged in anyway that I can confirm visually.

Yet when I put A/C power to the computer nothing happens. No lights, no screen, no fan. Nothing happens with battery power either.

Since I can't power up anything I can't run tests and I do not have another laptop to test individual components on to isolate the problem

I have discovered that when A/C power is applied. The chassis around the the ports are electrified. It's quite noticable. I can touch a dry finger to the chassis and feel a tingle of electricity.

I can't see any direct connection between the chassis and the power plug. Nothing appears bent out of shape.

Any ideas on what route the power takes from the plug to get into the ports' chassis. I can only assume it's going through the mother board in someway.

I know I can just go and order a new female A/C plug and put it in but I'm concerned that an incorrect routing of electricity through the mother board or other board for that matter may have cooked them and I'd be throwing good money after bad.

Any idea on how I can check the electronics work without another laptop and nothing working.

I know that on P.Cs the capacitors "pop" when they are exposed to a power surge or the like. Is there a similar visual test for laptops?

I don't know what the fuses look like in the computer. The maintenace manual only states on page 6 "Fuses blown by attachment of unsupported device." It doesn't seem to show any fuses.
LINK to online maintenace manual ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/mo ... 9n8608.pdf

I have a P.C computer. Can I hook up stuff through the P.C to check what is and isn't working?

All suggests greatfully accepted.
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Unsolicitored plug- Missy Higgins, Album-"Sound of white" every song is awesome. All worthy of radio play. Thoroughly recommended.