Acer laptop charge controller malfunction. Diagnostics of the laptop motherboard. Battery life is exhausted

If suddenly, when you plug in your laptop, you notice that the battery has not started charging, do not panic. You are far from the only one who encounters this kind of problem, and it is completely solvable. First, let's look at what the main causes of this problem may be. To do this, we will gradually move from the network socket where the laptop is connected to its power supply.

So, the probable reasons.

1. Perhaps there is simply no voltage in the electrical network.
2. The power adapter that converts the current supplied to the battery is faulty.
3. In some place the integrity of the cord is broken, in other words, it is broken.
4. The malfunction lies in the cord plug or laptop socket.
5. The battery driver may be malfunctioning.
6. Software malfunctions in the BIOS of the laptop itself.
7. The power controller has stopped working.
8. Reduced battery performance.
9. The battery life is exhausted.

Solving problems with laptop batteries at home

Now let’s take a closer look at each of the specified points and try to determine where the malfunction is and, if possible, eliminate it. To begin with, you can try the simplest method - perform a hard reset of the entire device. To do this, you need to disconnect everything from the laptop additional devices: mouse, printer, CardReader and everything else. Then unplug the power cord and pull out battery. The next step is to press and hold the laptop's power button for one minute. Then you need to release it and press two or three more times. Thanks to this procedure, all residual stress will be removed as much as possible from all components of the laptop. After this, it is advisable to wipe the contacts on the battery and the laptop itself with alcohol that they come into contact with. Then we insert the battery into place and turn it on, while all other devices must be turned off, and turn on the computer. Typically, this procedure helps solve this problem in half of the cases.

If the battery still does not start charging, let’s go over the above points.

There is no voltage in the network

This is all clear. Try connecting the power to a different outlet and see the result.

Fault in the block

The easiest way to find out is to use a tester to check the voltage at the output of the adapter itself. If you have this moment There is no special tester, but there is another similar laptop, just try changing the power supplies temporarily and look at the result. It is worth noting here that if the indicator charger and lights up, this does not yet indicate 100% correct operation. If the problem lies with the adapter, then two options are obvious: buy a new one or try to repair this one. If you are an ordinary ordinary user, the second option is more suitable for you.

Damaged cord

You can check it in the same way as in point 2 using a tester or replacing the cord with another one. If it turns out that this is the problem, just buy a new cord.

Malfunction of the laptop socket or power plug

In general, the check is the same as for the previous points, and in addition you should add an external inspection of the socket for damage, and also slightly move the plug in the socket. If during inspection you notice a malfunction in the power connector, take it to a service center, and do not try to solder it yourself if you are not a specialist.

Battery driver malfunction

Externally, signs of incorrect driver operation cannot be noticed, unless the charging indicator does not light up. However, you can try to fix this problem yourself. Most The best way- download from the Internet special utility DriverPack Solution, which itself will check all drivers, if necessary, update all outdated ones and reinstall broken ones. One disadvantage of this program is its large volume, so you can use “lighter” analogues. However, you should be careful, because many of them are paid, and some may even be infected with a virus. In conclusion to the description of this item, it should be noted that problems with the battery driver are quite rare, and you are unlikely to ever encounter such a problem in your lifetime.

BIOS software failure

This problem is considered to be very delicate, since you can seriously damage your laptop if you try to solve it yourself. If your BIOS fails, most likely you will not be able to even turn on the computer, and one of the signs of its incorrect operation may be resetting the system time. In most cases, the cause of the failure is incorrect configuration or updating of the BIOS firmware. Along with this, we cannot exclude the possibility of virus attacks that are aimed specifically at the computer’s BIOS. If this is the problem, take the laptop to the nearest service center.

Power controller failure

This failure, in its maximum manifestation, can manifest itself in the complete absence of any indication on the laptop. If this happens, again, take it to service. At a minimum, this failure can manifest itself as follows: if you disconnect the adapter from the power supply for a minute or two, and then connect it again, the battery will not charge. In order for it to start, you will need to remove the adapter plug from the socket on the laptop for 10-20 seconds, then plug it back in. After this, charging will proceed as it should. This problem is not critical, and, in general, you can put up with it if you don’t want to send your laptop for service.

Deterioration of battery performance parameters

A sign that the battery performance has dropped may be that the laptop does not operate for long on battery power in stand-alone power mode. Its time battery life may tend to zero. To somehow improve these parameters, you need to do the following: with the computer turned on, switch to off-line power mode, that is, unplug the adapter cord from the laptop socket. It will begin to signal you in every possible way about the low battery level, but you just ignore it and wait until the system turns off automatically. After this, let him lie inactive for several hours. After this, connect the external power adapter and wait until the battery is fully charged, while keeping an eye on the charging indicator lights. This procedure is called “battery training”. It is recommended to carry it out three to four times in a row, and it is also worth performing it every two to three months as a preventative measure.

Battery life is exhausted

Here you no longer need to go to the service center, since repairs here are useless. You need to buy a new battery. There are, of course, some ways to reanimate the battery, described on the Internet. However, you can imagine how high quality his subsequent work will be.

If you do decide that it’s time to buy a new battery, below we will describe some recommendations on how to choose one. Your choice depends on three components that are decisive for your purchase.

The 1st component is the price. Even if you want to buy a cheaper battery, think first, weigh what you get for your money.

The 2nd component is battery capacity. The higher the battery capacity, the higher the price, naturally, but the longer your laptop can work autonomously.

The 3rd component is quality. Again, the better the quality of the battery, the higher its resource will be and, accordingly, its cost.

Thus, it is clear that you need to find a compromise between the cost of a new battery and its quality. Moreover, as far as quality is concerned, buying a battery today is a kind of lottery. For example, you can buy a Chinese cheap battery that will last you much longer than branded ones, since, perhaps, both branded and nameless batteries can be assembled in the same workshops on the same production lines from saved parts.

Everything is clear about the capacity - it is indicated on each battery, and you can easily estimate how long its battery life should be enough.

As for prices, it’s worth telling in more detail here. New batteries cost about the same from different sellers. However, sometimes you come across specimens whose prices are several times higher, and this is supposedly explained by their “exclusivity.” Do not fall for such tricks, but buy a normal battery at an appropriate price from regular sellers. Having received a list of sites in an Internet search engine that sell batteries for your laptop model, try to find out more about the sellers, read reviews on the forums.

It is also worth going to the shops in your city that sell computer components, compare prices. Take your time with the purchase, first analyze everything and calmly decide what and where to buy.

Replacement of the Acer tablet charge controller is carried out under conditions that guarantee proper operation of the device. Tablets replace many things for a modern person - they record a variety of necessary information - from the daily schedule to PIN codes and passwords. Therefore, the service is popular urgent repairs tablet. The cost of work and the timing of the repair operation are determined on the day of visiting the Service Center. Component replacement steps:

• Acer tablet diagnostics;
• Disassembly;
• Replacement process;
• Guarantees.

Acer tablet diagnostics

The charge controller is a chip that is integrated into the motherboard. It is responsible for the charge and discharge cycles of the device. In fact, the battery life and the amount of energy it can accept depends on it. The spare part requires careful handling.

A problem with the power chip is less common than a failure of the battery or power connector. Therefore, to determine the exact cause of the breakdown, the Acer tablet is diagnosed. This procedure indicates the condition of the hardware and determines the presence of hidden defects.

Malfunctions of the “power microcircuit” can lead to battery failure. The battery is designed for a limited number of full discharge/charge cycles, after which the ability to store energy gradually dries up. If the controller does not work correctly, it resets the battery settings and disables the device.

Disassembly

Since the charge controller is integrated into the motherboard, to replace the charge controller on an Acer tablet, you must open access to the module. To do this, the engineer removes back cover tablet, removes the battery and dismantles the mounting bolts and housing. Then the modules adjacent to the housing are removed. In some Acer models, the motherboard is directly accessible, while in others it is necessary to conduct a more in-depth analysis.

Replacement process

Manipulation is carried out by soldering elements. Due to the small size of the component and the proximity of the integrated elements on the motherboard, the engineer must have “surgical precision”. An infrared soldering station helps him with this - it automates the soldering process, eliminating errors. The old, failed controller is soldered off, and then (observing the specific temperature conditions of the surrounding modules) a new one is soldered in, which is suitable for the tablet computer model being repaired.

Guarantees

Replacing an Acer tablet charge controller is a delicate operation that requires specific equipment and engineer experience to be successful. The service center works only with original parts suitable for this tablet model. Therefore it is provided long term Warranties – up to 3 years. After the repair, the Acer tablet is tested to be turned on in the presence of the user.

Repairing Compal motherboards with “won’t charge” or “won’t turn on” faults, especially after being flooded with liquid, often causes difficulties for technicians. Let's consider a typical power and charge circuit used in Acer laptops, using the LA-6552p platform as an example. This motherboard is installed in Acer 5552 and Emashines E442 laptops. Other motherboards containing the ISL 6251 charger chip are built on a similar principle and have minimal differences.

We will consider in parallel the typical circuit for switching on the ISL6251a charger and those parts of the laptop circuit that are associated with starting and charging the battery.

ISL6251 charger operation and battery charge.

+19V power is supplied to pin 24 of the DCIN charger microcircuit from the power connector through the PD16 diode and PR281 resistor. If you replaced the microcircuit, check if the resistor is intact. Inside the microcircuit, at pin 1 of VDD, a supply voltage of +5V is formed, which is then supplied via PR86 to pin 15 of VDDP and powers the remaining nodes of the microcircuit. We check the presence of +5V on pin 15.

The VREF pin should have a reference voltage of 2.39v generated by the charger

The ACSET input - the charger detects a 19V supply voltage, which the divider on PR280 and PR282 reduces by 14 times. To do this, the voltage at ACSET must exceed 1.26V, which corresponds to 18.0V at the input. Having detected normal power, the charger lowers ACPRN to a low level and sends a signal to the multicontroller.

The multicontroller communicates with the battery controller and, if charging is necessary, sets a high level at the EN pin of the charger, allowing it to charge.

At the CELLS pin, the multicontroller sets a voltage depending on the number of cells in the battery, thereby indicating to the charger what voltage to supply to the battery.

The CSIN CSIP pins are connected to the power supply current sensor - resistor PR61, and the CSON CSOP pins are connected to the charge current source. When the current exceeds, the charger stops charging the battery.

Thus, to charge the battery, it is necessary that the charger be powered (DCIN = 19v, VDD and VDDP = 5v, VREF = 2.39v), so that it detects power (ACSET >1.26v) and the multicontroller gives it the EN signal.

Generation should start on transistors PQ55 PQ57, the currents on PR61 and PR78 should not exceed the maximum permissible values. It should be noted here that in addition to the PR61 PR78 resistors themselves, PR74 PR76 PR72 PR73 may also burn out, which is why the charger may not measure currents correctly.

Operation of LA6552p power circuits. Initial start-up and appearance of voltages.

For the laptop to work, it is necessary that the entrance field effect transistors PQ14 PQ15. They are opened by the PQ68B transistor. It is also opened by a high level of the PACIN signal. Transistors PQ68A, PQ21, PQ19 are blocking - a low level on the gate of PQ68A leads to reliable closing of PQ14, PQ15. This can also happen if the multicontroller raises the ACOFF signal.

Now let's see where PACIN comes from. From the diagram we see that from 6251VDD through resistor PR286. In addition to this, PQ67 must be closed, for which the charger must detect the presence of external power (ACSET pin) and lower the ACPRN signal.

By the way, ACSET is formed not from the VIN voltage from the connector, but from the PreCHG voltage, which, in turn, is already formed from VIN by four resistors PR124-PR127, therefore, if the latter are broken, the charger will not see the connected adapter.

Starting PWM RT8205, standby voltages +3 and +5

On this platform, standby voltages are generated only when powered by the adapter.

Let's consider the operation of a laptop without a battery, since when repairing motherboard Usually the master does this, powering the board from laboratory block nutrition. After connecting the adapter, VIN and PreCHG appear. Through resistor PR128 it goes to the base of PQ34, opening it, and it, in turn, opens PQ31, supplying PreCHG to B+. Since no nodes are running yet, there is no consumption on B+, the capacitors connected to B+ are charged through resistors PR124-PR127

When the B+ voltage reaches enough to start the RT8205, the +3VLP and VL voltages appear. And then, if the startup is not blocked by transistors PQ63A, PQ63B, voltage +3ALWP and +5ALWP For startup to occur, PQ64 must be open. For this to happen, the voltage must be VS and ACPRN low. VS is taken from VIN through resistors PR10 PR11.

When on battery power, VS is absent and appears when you press the power button. Thus, when powered by a battery in standby mode, the RT8205 generates only +3VLP and VL.

Many Compal platforms have similar designs. Some may use op-amps to generate ACSET and other signals. In these nodes, a 3V RTC voltage can be used to generate the reference voltage; such boards do not start if the clock battery is low.