keving98******.com wrote:
> I have a HP Pavilion ZV5000 laptop I've been working on for a friend.
> The problem I'm having is when the battery and AC adapter are both
> connected the computer powers up for about 10 seconds and then just
> shuts off.
>
> The problem revealed itself after formatting and reinstalling Windows
> XP Home (Which I'm sure was just a coincidence). It suddenly would
> warn me that the battery was low and I should backup my work. This was
> with the AC adapter connected. It would switch back and forth between
> indicating that the AC adapter was connected and indicating that it was
> operating on the battery. Eventually it wouldn't even indicate the AC
> adapter was connected and it would just shut down.
>
> I tried everything from scouring HP's Web site to swapping out memory
> sticks with no luck. I eventually noticed that when I torqued where
> the AC adapter connected to the laptop I could get it to stay powered
> up. So I assumed it was a bad power connector. I removed the
> motherboard and resoldered the connector and it seemed to solve the
> problem.
>
> A week after giving my friend their laptop back it began shutting down
> after 10 seconds with the AC adapter connected. This time I replaced
> the AC connector on the motherboard with a new one. When I turned on
> the computer it powered up and shut down ~10 seconds later. Every once
> in a while the lighting bolt lights up for a few seconds indicating the
> battery is being charged and then shuts off. I put a meter on the AC
> adapter and it seems to be providing the proper, steady power. I
> thought I did this before (maybe I didn't) but when I pulled the
> battery this time and powered up the computer it worked fine.
>
> In case I droned someone into confusion: I'm wondering why the computer
> will only stay powered up with the battery removed.
>
> Has anyone ever experienced this?
>
> Could the AC adapter be bad and only fail when the battery draws power
> from it? Is the dead battery causing some kind of short in the system?
> Is the motherboard component that controls the switching between AC
> and battery power screwed up?
>
> What should I replace first?
>
> Any help would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Kevin G
>
> Sorry for the rambling, it's late.

I've seen, and heard of bad batteries doing evil things. One of my
colleagues (who can actually replace surface mount chips by hand) has a
motto. Either run with a good battery, or no battery. (If you define
Dead to mean non-chargable, instead of simply discharged)

Before you warm up that iron again, ask if he's be willing to run
without a battery.