ASUS Laptop G531 Was Saved From Dump
One day relative of a regular customer for Audio and Video, who had direct interactions with me before, called me up to enquire whether I can look into a laptop which went dead while In use, before taking a decision for exchange to a new one. Well, to tell you frankly, my curiosity to learn how to open another Laptop and associated excitement was ignited and aroused! I told him to bring it home right away, as it was an off-day for me! When I checked the Laptop, it was totally dead and nothing worked, though the Adapter was showing output voltage correctly!
The customer, who was a student, was with me throughout to look for videos and assist me (of-course, on my request only) how to open this complicated and intricate laptop with multiple parts interconnected with tiny connectors and strip wires! Unless we follow the step by step removal process explained in the Video, we will either damage something and/or end up in a mess! I am sharing a few pictures which I took stage by stage, bulging with a lot of excitement like a child opening his toys! Those of you who are interested in looking into the process may please visit this link; I am giving this link though I am not sure which video he looked into to guide me like a navigator.
You may click on the above photo to enlarge it
After opening the bottom cover, I applied the DC power and checked to find that the voltage was getting fully dropped, indicating some short in the power supply section. After taking guidance from my techie friend, who did the final work in my own Lenovo Laptop long back, I checked the components, regulator ICs in the primary PS section and did not find any shorts. When I removed the battery and connected the power also it did not work. The battery was totally dead too!
Though I tried to find out what went wrong and why there was a short, I could not locate the fault. So, my friend suggested sending it to him, which my customer agreed.
So, I put back the parts back in its place and put the remaining screws in a cover and fixed the bottom cover with just two screws to enable transportation.
The customer took the laptop same day to him, a 60Km drive and left it there. My friend reported later that the battery was the culprit! It became totally dead, which is very common and made a couple of low PF capacitors in the power supply (Please look in the pictures given. These caps were black in color and looked like diodes). After replacing the caps, my friend had to reload the CMOS program, as it was also corrupted. Then the laptop got back its life and worked very well.
Unfortunately, he forgot to click the repairing stages, though I had requested him. The customer opted for using the laptop without the battery backup, as they had an inverter in the home. This decision was taken because of the non-availability of original battery and the prohibitive cost. Anyhow, the work was finished and the laptop was sent to a place near to our town for pickup by the customer. The customer sent me the following photo on my request:
Satisfaction, anyhow, can get collected as the works handled by me were very thrilling and the end result was positive! Do you all agree? The bag is waiting for your nod to allow entry! (LOL)
This article was prepared for you by Parasuraman Subramanian from India. He is 74 years old and has more than 30 years’ experience in handling antique equipment like Valve Radio, Amps, Reel Tape Recorders and currently studying latest tech-classes conducted by Kerala State Electronics Technicians’ Association. He has done graduation in BBA degree, private diploma in Radio Engineering and retired as MD of a USA company. Presently working as Consultant to Hospital and other institutions.
Please give a support by clicking on the social buttons below. Your feedback on the post is welcome. Please leave it in the comments.
P.S-If you enjoyed reading this, click here to subscribe to my blog (free subscription). That way, you’ll never miss a post. You can also forward this website link to your friends and colleagues-thanks!
You may check on his previous article on Control Panels Of Microwave Ovens With Same Symptoms But Different Reasons
(53)Dislikes
(0)
12 Comments
Leave a Reply
Tayo
February 24, 2024 at 12:30 pm
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing" -Socrates
Well done as usual Parasuraman.
So the battery shorted out the low PF capacitors in the board or what? Didn't really understand that part.
Also, how did you guys diagnose the faulty CMOS chip? I have never come across this and wouldn't know what to look for if I did.
Parasuraman S
February 25, 2024 at 6:48 pm
Yes it shorted the PF caps, I think. Sorry, I am not familiar with CMOS programs either. Many thanks dear.
Albert van Bemmelen
February 24, 2024 at 3:05 pm
Fixing laptops probably works out much better in the end than fixing those bad designed television sets that keep coming back for continued repairs and upgrades dear Parasuraman.
Removing screws and carefully disconnect those tiny connectors and stripwires in laptops is probably always the hardest part in this endeavour to take.
The part where your techie friend also noticed the corrupted cmos chip is something that could have gotten some detailed explaining here on the how and with what it was done.
Parasuraman S
February 25, 2024 at 6:49 pm
Many thanks for your expert comments! I may not be able to press any farther on the CMOS program etc. for obvious reasons!
Henrique J. G. Ulbrich
February 24, 2024 at 8:25 pm
Very good, Parasuraman. It is encouraging to realize your excitement concerning a new challenge. This is the recipe for the eternal youth.
Parasuraman S
February 25, 2024 at 6:50 pm
Many thanks, dear for your encouraging comments!
Waleed Rishmawi
February 25, 2024 at 2:24 am
I repair laptops a lot and with thermal camera help I could find the shorts in no time. When shorted motherboard causing the power supply to shut down I use external power supply so I can power and cause the shorted part to heat up and be clear through a thermal camera. Thanks for sharing
Parasuraman S
February 25, 2024 at 6:51 pm
Many thanks for the detailed guidance and comments, dear friend!
Imoudu.O
February 25, 2024 at 4:10 am
Dear friend, do u know what? i did destroy my personal hp laptop today even before i read ur acticle.I don't know how to repair laptop,laptop technicians in my area said the whole motherboard will need to be replaced, how i wish you live in my area, u would have repair it without having to replace motherboard...this i know!!.
Thanks for your sharing.
Parasuraman S
February 25, 2024 at 6:56 pm
Try, try and try until you scceed. Look for videos that help in opening the laptop. Start from the power supply like any other device and you can find it. Many thanks and all the very best!
Yogesh Panchal
February 26, 2024 at 12:55 am
Those who are New to latest technology Laptops.....Please Remove Internal battery Connector first; before starting any type of internal fault finding. Even Before removing any Cables i.e.Keyboard ,Touch pad,On/Off switch Cable,Screen LVDS Cable. Memory Module,Hard Disk Etc....or this will lead to shorting on Motherboard or screen directly.
Parasuraman S
February 27, 2024 at 9:57 am
Many thanks for this wonderful and valuable tips!