Question on Notebooks:

My Acer Notebook will no longer boot. It does not seem to have power. I have checked the power cord with a meter and the adapter and both are outputing the correct voltage. The notebook will not boot even when plugged in. Should the notebook boot regardless of the condition of the battery? I have had other laptops that power directly from the cord and do not need a battery connected. If this is the case with the Acer what other problem do you think I am looking at that might be causing it to not power up?

Submitted by Laura, via email

Answer:

Regardless of the battery condition, a properly functioning laptop should boot when you plug it into the AC outlet. To determine if your notebook is faulty, try the following steps.

1) Remove the battery from the unit.
2) Plug in the adapter.
3) Try to boot the machine.

If there is a usual startup noise but not image on the screen, the LCD panel may be at fault. If there are no lights or any indication that your notebook is booting, then the mainboard might be fried. In any case, you will need to consult the service center for a more thorough diagnosis and repair.