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Question

Lenovo G505 not turning on

Apr 4, 2018 5:48AM PDT

Hello
My laptop wasn't used for about 6 months, when I tried to boot it up again there was no response. I let the battery charge for about 3h before I tried to turn it on, the diodes are on and the cd-rom is responding but nothing else happens only when I plug in the charger there is one short beep also the same beep occurs when I plug it out. I tried to boot it using a pendrive with linux on it and there was no response, I tried taking out the battery but it didn't help. How can I check what is the problem?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Sadly
Apr 4, 2018 7:42AM PDT

The usual is either cheap or expensive. When I get a dead laptop I like to know the story and inspect for dings from drops.

Then I do the battery removal BUT after the battery is out and the power removed I press and hold the power button for 60 seconds (yes, it's usually less but 60 covers all the devices.) Release the button, slip in battery, apply power and see if the LEDs look proper. Give it a few minutes to take more charge then test.

If this fails I install a new CMOS battery. I DO NOT TEST THAT BATTERY. It's cheaper at the shop to just change it and charge for the battery than test and incur a test charge (75 bucks!)

The reset is repeated and if no signs of life, depending on what we see we call it battery, charger or motherboard failure.

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Still not working
Apr 4, 2018 7:56AM PDT

I've tried removing the battery and presing power for over a minute several times but it dinn't help also I've tried reseting the CMOS still nothing then I removed RAM and turned it on it was only beeping I'll try with the new CMOS battery.

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Beeping is actually a good sign.
Apr 4, 2018 8:07AM PDT

And sort of dismisses the new CMOS battery idea. Almost. Still work try,.

Is there more than one stick of RAM? Even so, I try it with just one stick, move to other slot if it has one and once the CMOS battery is in I continue with removing anything I can like WiFi, ODD, HDD, SSD what else? It rarely comes back but when it does the owner thinks you are a genius for finding a bum WiFi card (it's rare!)

When you get done, you change the motherboard out if it's economically viable.

The 505 I see at https://www.cnet.com/products/lenovo-g505-15-6-e1-2100-4-gb-ram-320-gb-hdd/specs/ is pretty worthless (sorry if I hurt feelings here) and we tend to find deals on Groupon that are far better. like these:
https://www.groupon.com/deals/gs-dell-latitude-e6420-laptop-refurbished
or this one that we picked up a few for the office and family members:
https://www.groupon.com/deals/gs-refurbished-hp-6470b-probook-14-i3-3110m-2-4ghz-4gb-320gb-win-7pro

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Nope
Apr 4, 2018 8:25AM PDT

There's one stick of ram I've tried to put it in the other slot and then removed it completly. Then I've tried removing one by one the hdd, odd and wifi but it's still the same when turning on power. I can hear quiet humming from inside and feel slight vibrations but the fan doesn't move, also when I try putting in a pendrive its not responding but when trying with a cd I hear the odd working fine. It's frustrating that not using a laptop can break it because last time I used it all was great .

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While hard to accept
Apr 4, 2018 8:33AM PDT

It's not usually disuse that kills them but corrosion. There are many videos about corrosion so I know folk usually don't store machines with care. We'll want the usual desiccant with the laptop in a sealed bag (I use big ziploc bags.)

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After the battery or before/
Apr 4, 2018 8:35AM PDT

I usually pop in the CMOS battery because too cheap to not try.

Then I remove what I can. ODD, HDD, SSD, WiFi card what else can I go without?
Then all connections are unplugged or at least given a firm shove home.

After that, shopping or new motherboard, laptiop.

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Although
Apr 4, 2018 8:48AM PDT

I didn't store it with desiccant I can't spot any corrosion inside, the motherboard looks perfectly normal, it's even pretty clean inside. Well I guess I'll have to live without a laptop for a while longer. Thanks for your input.

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I'm avoiding showing videos
Apr 4, 2018 8:54AM PDT

Of such work because you have to have a good microscope plus another common failure is a dead cap. But which one? I can't know as it changes from model to model.

Did you try removing all possible parts you don't need for a power on, screen on test? I find new techs often skip that work.

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Yes
Apr 4, 2018 9:23AM PDT

I've took out everything that i could so I think it's something on the motherboard, but I lack the tools and knowledge to test things deeper by myself.

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The problem as I see it.
Apr 4, 2018 9:50AM PDT

Is we must try the cheapest part that can cause POST troubles (what POST is, is on the Internet.)

I find a lot of folk resist changing the CMOS battery which is a matter of concern since we are trying to avoid what it usually is next. Leaving the machine without power or use for months or years does ding this battery for power. Most if not all designs power the RTC from the main battery when it's on so life is extended for the CMOS battery.

I've seen discussions go past 20+ posts and the owner and tech push back on this under 1 buck part (at least here as we buy 20 at a time.)

-> After that or even before if you feel comfortable, the old unplug and plug in every connection is always worth a try.

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I will
Apr 4, 2018 10:34AM PDT

Defenietly I'll try replacin the CMOS battery with a new one I just have to look if I can get it in any shop in my town or I'll have to order it online because in my lenovo the battery is with a cable atached.

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For the usual cable attached battery
Apr 4, 2018 11:46AM PDT

We don't bother stocking those but get the usual CR2032 with battery tabs that you can solder to. This way was can move the cable over in about 3 minutes then wrap the battery and leads to prevent shorts. This costs about a buck more but worth it over delays to the client.

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No soldering :P
Apr 4, 2018 12:07PM PDT

I don't have a soldering iron Silly if i don't find the battery in the shop I can wait 2-3 days for the delivery Happy