Acer notebook doesn't boot up

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Ofesad

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Jun 14, 2014
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Notebook: Acer Aspire 5542-5241
So, its old, but it has been a local and faithfull computer.
The battery doesn't work or just last for 15min.

I just arrived to my office, plugged the AC brick to the power outlet.
Get the laptop out of the backpack, put it on the table.
Power on.
Plugged in usb mouse.
Notebook shows Windows desktop.
I open Firefox and start browsing the web.

Then it starts to shutdown (the screen turns off): I realize i forgot to plug the AC to the notebook.
Rapidly I get the cable of the AC and pluged it in.
Black screen remains.
I let it for 5mins. Remains the same.

Forced shutdown. Then power on.
Black screen.
Nevers boots up. Even worse: It doesn't even show the ACER logo of the bios. Completly dead.
(Cooler fan is working)

Forced shutdown. Get battery out.
Power on.
Same as before.

PLEASE, help, advise or some confort words.


UPDATE:
Tested with another AC brick.
Tested taking memory module out.
Tested with one memory module (alternated and switched modules and slots)

Remains the same.

Please! Help!
 
Feb 14, 2018
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There is some work cut out for you...and its a 50/50 chance of working/not working.

You need to pull out the cmos battery. Pull that out. remove battery and charger. press the power button a few times to completely discharge it.

Put everything back and try again...
 

fagetti

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I have a bad feeling about it because it lists Ati Radeon Mobility HD 4200 as gpu. Im using actually right now aspire 5552 which is old also but nice laptop for other than gaming. I had same problem as you, northbridge chip was defective on the motherboard, its working now fine for 2 years after replacing.

There is chance that this is easier problem but you probably need to disassembly more if needed. Remove both ram and try boot, do you get error beep sounds or error lights?
 
Feb 14, 2018
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i just checked...looks like his model battery can be easily taken out..well not that easy since he needs to take the whole thing apart...

looks like its not soldered to the board...check out the link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5EdDMIl6IY

seems like his model...
 

fagetti

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Yes that is normal, check with multimeter if it has over 3volts its okay and not need replacing. Just do what venom said for pressing power button after removing. This model dont have same gpu or northbridge as mine so it can be something else too
 

Ofesad

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You guys dont realize how hard things are for me now: I am forced to use a desktop pentium 4 with 1gb of ram and Windows xp... And firefox ver. 29.0.1 ... And IE6.

Back to the notebook:
Tryd holding press down the pwr Button for over 1 min. Remains the same.

It didnt post when removing the 2 ram sticks.

I haven't get to the cmos due that the screws are too tight and the screwdrivers I have at hand are kinnda old. (It took some time to open the memory ones too)
 
Feb 14, 2018
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keep us posted what happens if you ever do get to the cmos battery.
 

fagetti

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It wont post even on working system without any memory. I just wanted to know if you get normal ram beep codes when ram is not installed, or flashing lights in pattern that tells communication between motherboard is ok.

Try hooking up external monitor with vga or hdmi port, you need cable and external monitor for this.

Put ram sticks back so you can test if its working, you can find a short also when disassemblying the laptop. The way to go is first remove HDD and try boot if it works problem is HDD and so on. Remove keyboard and try boot with power button. Remove front panel and try boot with power button. Remove LCD SCREEN cable (be careful cables are not touching eachother or motherboard to cause short. after removing screen cable from motherboard plug in external monitor with vga or hdmi cable and try boot, does it show in external monitor? Then cause was short in panel. And so on.
 

Ofesad

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Finally got home. Now to do some testing.

Before disasembling the Notebook, I tested the AC adapter:
oveaG6i.jpg


Later will test for current.

Remark: the notebook remains still as before: When the AC is plugged in the blue LED indicator turns on. When press power on button the cooler starts and the power button turns blue. And that's it.
One more detail: The button to lock/unlock the touchpad, when pressed it won't turn on or off (it remains off).

I am thinking it might be the adaptor who isn't pumping enough current.
I'll check then open the case.

Removing HDD now.

 

Ofesad

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CMOS BATTERY
8WvIkAH.jpg

CMOS BAT VOLT
2uYKT3M.jpg


Already removed it and pressed the power button for over a min and then several times.
Now I'll clean a reasemble... -.-"
 

Ofesad

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Assembly Done. All remains the same.

Well, I was already thinking on getting a new one with ryzen so...

I will have to wait a few months.

Anyone looking for som Acer 5542 spare parts?
 

fagetti

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Look all ports like usb and smaller connectors on motherboard do you see any pins shorted or misplaced?. do you see any liquid damage or components looking damaged look closely, reseat cpu, try boot without FAN installed do you get picture on vga or laptop screen? Dont let it run for long without fan or might damage cpu
 

fagetti

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also disconnect wlan / wifi cards, i see you got wlan card still attached might be cause of short

remove all connectors, only cpu and ram attached + power jack and vga cable to monitor or your screen attached to motherboard
 

Ofesad

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Yup! I connected one over hdmi. Couldn't find the vga cable.
No image or text shown at any time.

Sadly no, I dont have a SPI programmer.

 
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