I Need help: Acer Aspire One Netbook problems

[Jatelo2]

Hoping that this is the best section of the forum to post this, I would appreciate some help with my Acer Aspire One D250 Netbook having the following  problems:

 

1. Not charging the battery at all
2. Can't work on Battery alone
3. Automatically goes off after few minutes even if connected to power

Here are the specs:

   

• Processor:  Intel Atom N270 / 1.6 GHz
• Memory:  1.0 GB / 2.0 GB (max)
• Hard Drive:  160.0 GB - 5400.0 rpm
• Operating System:  Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
• Display Type:  10.1 in TFT active matrix
• Max Resolution:  1024 x 600 ( WSVGA )
• Graphics Processor:  Intel GMA 950 Dynamic Video Memory Technology 3.0
• Battery: 3-cell Lithium ion

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Thomas]

This sounds like a power cable issue. 
 
CHiLL would be the best to answer this as he is part of IT Support but I shall try my hardest to help you.
 
It sounds like the power cable/battery is the issue and the laptop itself isn't the problem.
 
Does the battery charge at all?
The battery itself might have been drained by overcharging it. This happens when laptops are plugged into the power connection constantly and can lead the battery to keep being charged and getting weaker and weaker. 
 
Has the power connection been broken?
Laptops are famous for having very stupid connections that can break in general wear and tear. The little head inside the laptop might now have moved and thus can't make the connection that is needed to provide the power to the laptop. In the worse case scenario it might have been completely destroyed and need to be repaired by an authorized IT Support (IE: Acer or the place where you bought it). Normally this would cost anywhere between £30-£90. On a slightly better case it could be that there is still a connection that is happening but the computer is only receiving enough to power up and not to charge the battery as well.
 
Questions that might help?

• Is it a set time that it turns off?

 

The computer might have a piece of software that is running on setup that starts a countdown to shutdown.

Test this by turning it on 3 or 4 times and see how long it takes to power down. You could also try starting it up in Safe Mode.

 

• Does it turn off all the time?

 

If it happens all the time then there is a problem within the computer and properly more likely the power connection inside.

 

• Does it do a proper shut down or simply run out of juice and turns off?

 

If it's a proper shut down then the computer might be set up to automatically shut down after the power reaches a percentage. This might be set rather high by mistake (IE: 99%).

If it's run out of power then there is an error inside the battery

 

• Does the laptop say it is charging?

 

If the laptop is charging (say a light on the side) then the connection is being made and it hasn't completely been broken.

 

 

I'd suggest following these instructions to test it out:

1. While the laptop is turned off give the connection a twist and turn (gently). The laptop should have an LED indicator to see if the power is connected and if it goes off at any point while the connection is still inside then that would be the problem.
2. Charge the laptop with the laptop shut down and leave it alone for a few hours.
3. Turn it on and leave it alone. Let it completely drain of power. If it shuts down then turn it back on. Keep doing this till the power button makes the computer do nothing.
4. Then charge it for around an hour or 2. That should be more then enough time for the laptop to fully charge. 
5. See how long it stays on for.

One final thought might be to check what windows says about how long the charge should last for.

 

Good luck! And i'll poke CHiLL to see if he can think of any ideas.