My notebook does not power on.

Purpose

Use this checklist when Notebook does not respond with visual or audio signals when attempting to start it. If the notebook has power, but does not start, go to the Notebook - No POST / No Video checklist

Typical Symptoms

Power button was pushed and no indication of notebook activity is observed:

  • Fans and drives do not spin-up
  • No air flow from vents at startup
  • LEDs do not light up

Notes

  • If port replicator or docking station LEDs light when the power button is pushed, but no indication of notebook activity is observed, this is still the correct checklist.
  • Test computer for power after performing each procedure.
  • Please use proper Electrostatic Discharge procedures.

  1. If this is a convertible notebook that has a power button lock, make sure it is unlocked. Refer to your User's Guide for location of the power button lock.

  2. Make sure the power is connected.

    • If a port replicator or docking station is connected, remove the notebook from it.
    • Make sure power cord is firmly connected to the AC adapter and electrical outlet.
    • If computer is plugged into a surge suppressor, extension cord, or UPS (uninterruptible power supply), connect the AC adapter directly into the wall and the notebook.
    • While testing, plug computer power cord directly into the electrical outlet.

    Note: When the problem appears to have been resolved refer to the Reconnect port replicator or docking station procedures.

  3. Check the electrical outlet for power. Make sure that the electrical outlet that you are using is good.

    1. Plug an electrical device that you've observed to be working into the outlet.
    2. If the device that you are testing with fails to turn on, try the notebook in a working outlet.

  4. Drain stored power and restart computer.

    1. Turn off computer and unplug power cord.

    2. Disconnect all external devices.

    3. Remove the battery. Reference the Product pages for specific models.

    4. Press power button and hold for 10 to 15 seconds.

    5. Plug power cord back into computer and press power button.

    6. Check front panel LEDs (lights) on bezel (front face) or optical drives and listen for power supply fan.

    7. If LEDs are on or power supply fan starts spinning, watch for boot screen on monitor.

    8. If computer begins to start, turn it off.

    9. Reconnect any external devices.

    10. Press the power button and make sure the computer starts.

    11. If notebook fails to start after a device is reconnected, this device may be causing the issue. Refer to manufacturer of that device for assistance.

    Note: The battery can remain disconnected when executing additional procedures from this checklist. When the problem appears to have been resolved refer to the Reinstall battery procedures.

  5. Disconnect all external devices.

    1. Make sure the notebook is turned off.

    2. If applicable, disconnect the notebook from a port replicator or docking station.

    3. Disconnect all externally connected devices.

    4. Remove any cards from the PC card slots and memory card slots. Remove any CD/DVD disc from the optical drives.

    5. Restart the computer.

    6. If this action resolves the problem:
      • Add devices to the notebook one at a time (power down, add a device, and then power up) until you discover the device that is causing the problem.
      • If using a port replicator or docking station, reconnect it. Add devices back one at a time.
      • If computer fails to start after a device is reconnected, this device may be causing the issue. Refer to manufacturer of that device for assistance.

  6. If applicable, press the hardware reset button to reset the computer settings.

    Note: Refer to the documentation that came with your computer for the hardware reset button location.

  7. Remove and reconnect each drive.

    1. Turn off notebook and remove power.

      Note: The notebook must be turned off and power disconnected prior to removing and/or installing each drive. Restore power and turn on the notebook when testing.

    2. Remove the hard drive, then restart the notebook. If the No Power symptoms are no longer observed, the removed drive is probably defective. Contact technical support.

    3. Remove the CD/DVD drive, then restart the notebook. If the No Power symptoms are no longer observed the removed drive is probably defective. Contact technical support.

  8. Remove memory.

    Note: Please use proper Electrostatic Discharge procedures while replacing the memory.

    1. Make sure the computer is turned off. Disconnect all external devices.

    2. Remove memory modules one at a time. Reference your User's Guide for specific procedures.

    3. Turn off notebook and disconnect power.

    4. Remove the battery. Reference your User's Guide for the specific procedure.

    5. Remove a memory module, reconnect power, then restart the notebook. If the No Power symptoms are no longer observed the removed module is probably defective. Follow service or replacement procedures.

    6. Remove additional modules, if present.

    7. Repeat the above procedure until all modules are tested or the No Power symptoms are no longer observed.

    Note: The battery can remain disconnected when executing additional procedures from this checklist. When the problem appears to have been resolved refer to the Reinstall battery procedures.

  9. If the battery had been removed, reinstall it now:

    1. Turn off the notebook and remove the AC adapter connector.

    2. Reference your User's Guide for specific model procedures for reinstalling the battery.

    3. If the notebook had started but now fails with the battery installed, the battery has probably failed. Contact technical support.

  10. If a port replicator or docking station had been disconnected, reconnect it now:

    1. Turn off the notebook and remove the AC adapter connector.

    2. Reference your User's Guide for specific model procedures for reconnecting the port replicator or docking station.

    3. If the notebook had started but now fails the port replicator or docking station has probably failed. Contact technical support.

    4. Add devices that had been connected to the port replicator or docking station one at a time (power down, add a device, and then power up).

    5. If the notebook fails to start after a given device had been connected, that device is probably causing the problem. Contact the device provider.

    6. If notebook fails to start after a device is reconnected, this device may be causing the issue. Refer to manufacturer of that device for assistance.

    If following the above procedures did not resolve your problem, please contact Gateway through one of the following methods: