Compaq Presario CQ62-a20EC is not charging

[ace960]

Hello, I would appreciate if someone can help. My product is MODEL: cq62-a20EC, PRODUCT: WR824EA#AKB, S/N: {Removed for privacy} (running Windows 7 Premium 64-bit). I did not change anything on the system. A problem appeared suddenly two weeks after warranty expired.

Symptoms:

When AC adapter is connected without battery installed then the LED next to the power jack blinks white once. When I press power button then the button blinks white (not only once, it blinks and blinks forever). I can also hear crackling noise from uncertain part of the notebook and it is synchronized with the power button white led blinking. The notebook cannot be powered on.

When AC adapter is connected with battery installed then the LED next to the power jack blinks white once and then it stays red for several seconds and then it goes off. It does not charge the battery.

When there was some power left in the battery the notebook was able to start.

The outout voltage of the AC adapter is stable 19 V.

[WaseemW]

If you are able to starte the PC and go to windows, please download the latest BIOS and update on this PC. that should help. steps below.
* Please visit www.hp.com/in and select suport & drivers>drivers & softwares> type the the complete model of your PC such as dv6-6100 dv6-3100 etc... select your computer model (if listed), or select the CTO(such as dv6-6100 CTO) model(which works for whole series) now select the OS you are running. you have the list of drivers for your PC.

Incase PC does not statrt atall and you are not able to enter BIOS, please seek spport for stuff like SYstemboard replacement etc..

Please contact HP support.
Please visit http://www.hp.com/ > select the country from left hand side bottom (USA is selected by default) > on next page, on right hand side top, click "connect with HP" icon, you should have options to email HP or call HP.

Hope it helps.

[ace960]

Thank you for your response.

It was difficult to start the PC as the battery was empty and the AC adapter was not recognized (not charging). Finally, the battery was charge up to 70%. I updated the BIOS from F.8 to the latest F.2B. It did not help.

When the PC is started the it can be seen that the battery it is being charged for a while, then it is not, then it is charged again and this repeats. It can be also seen by the the LED indicator. When it is being charged then a low noise can be heard.

I also attempted to start a battery test from the HP diagnostic suite. When it starts then it is stopped after several seconds. Sometimes it refuses to start, saying that AC adapter is required.

[AttackofZaq]

It certainly seems like you are having a power issue. The constantly blinking LED refers to a problem with the power supply. However, I think it would be a good idea to verify that it is the cause because it could also be the connector on the notebook's motherboard. Try these steps and post the results.

[ace960]

OK, here are the results:

Troubleshoot the power supply

To verify that the power supply is functioning properly, follow these steps:

1. Plug the power adapter directly into a functioning wall outlet, and into the computer. Do not plug it into a power strip, surge protector, or secondary power source.
   Result: Done.
2. Verify the following conditions and take the appropriate action if necessary:
   Verify that all power cord connections are secure.
   If the power adapter connection to the computer is loose, the connector might be damaged and require repair. Contact HP service and support for further assistance.
   Result: All power cord connections are secure.
   Verify that the power button or power LED is lit when the computer is on.
   Depending on the model, the battery indicator LED (also called the power LED) might be white, green, or amber when the power adapter is connected and is providing power to the computer.
   ~Result: The power LED (located next to power jack) is normally white when it is connected to power source and:
   a) the battery is not installed
   b) the battery is installed and fully charge.
   It is red when it is charging battery.
   The current promblematic status is that the power LED is off when it is connected to power source (without battery). The power button has also small LED which now blinks white. I can also (barely) hear a crackling sound from the notebook in the same rhythm as the power buttom LED blinking.
   Verify that an LED on the power supply adapter is lit when plugged into a wall outlet.
   Some power adapters do not have an LED. In this case, if you have another power supply, try connecting it to the computer and to a wall outlet.
   Result: This power supply does not have LED. Another power supply's LED is lit when it is connected into a wall outlet.
   Verify that the power supply adapter is the correct type. Older adapters were rated at 60 watts, but newer notebooks require adapters with 90 or 130 watts of power.
   The computer was shipped with the correct power adapter, however if you have multiple adapters, ensure you are using the correct one for this computer.
   Result: It is the original power supply so it should be correct. I am using the correct one.
   Troubleshoot the system board

   If the power supply works properly, troubleshoot the system board using the following steps:

   1. Keep the computer connected to the external power source and remove the battery.
      Result: Done.
   2. Press and release the Power button  to start the computer.
      If the computer powers on , then the power adapter and system board are functioning properly. Go toTroubleshoot the battery .
      Result: The computer does not power on.
      If the power LED is off , then the power adapter might need to be replaced. Contact HP Service and Support for further assistance.
      Result: The power LED is off.
      If the power LED is on , but the computer does not power on, then the computer needs to be repaired. Contact HP Service and Support for further assistance.
      Result: The power LED is off.
   3. Shut down Windows by opening the Start Menu and selecting Shut Down .
      Troubleshoot the battery

      If the power supply and system board are functioning properly, troubleshoot the battery using the following steps:

      1. Insert the battery into the battery compartment on the bottom of the computer.
         Result: Done.
      2. Connect the power supply and allow the battery to charge for 15 to 30 minutes.
         

         NOTE:The power LED, located near the power icon (displayed as a lightning bolt on most PCs) glows while the battery is charging.

         Result: Done (by using another adapter).
      3. Unplug the power adapter cord from the computer.
         Result: Done.
      4. Press and release the Power button to start the computer using only the battery as the power source.
         Result: Done.
         If the computer fails to power on, then the battery might need to be replaced. Connect the power adaptor and run HP Battery Check to test the condition or health of the battery. The battery might be covered under the warranty.
         Result: The computer powers on.
         If the computer powers on, the battery is functioning, however you should run HP Battery Check to evaluate the condition of the battery.
         Result: I'll try to find and run HP Battery Check later.
         If you have a second battery for your computer, or you have access to an identical battery, you can also check the battery by inserting the second battery into the computer and performing theTroubleshoot the battery steps again.
         Result: I do not have another battery.

[AttackofZaq]

Thank you for posting such a detailed response!  That is very helpful.

From the information gathered in these steps either the power adapter itself is bad or the plug on the motherboard of the notebook is damaged or otherwise not functioning properly.  I'm leaning towards the latter due to you being able to hear a "click" at the same time as the blinking LED.  This is probably a short and I suggest not using the notebook until you contact HP.

If you live within the US/Canada you can call them directly at 1-800-474-6836.  If you are located outside of this region you'll need to go to www.hp.com/support to get contact information for your area. 

I hope this has helped!

[ace960]

Thank you for your response.

I tested another power adapter and it seems to work properly. It charges the battery properly. When the battery is fully charged then it keeps it at 100% while using the notebook with power adapter. The notebook can be powered on when it is connected to power adapter only (without battery). I tested it several times without single failure.

The original and this other power supply are both HP product and have the same parameters (wats, volts, ampers) . They both belong to Compaq notebook. My one is Presario CQ62-a20EC, the other one is Presario CQ61-315EC.

[Travis_C]

Hello ace960

If another HP charger is working correctly than it sounds like a faulty power adapter. I would suggest using the HP parts store to order another adapter. Use the "Search by part number" on the page linked below. Enter the part number that you can find on the power adapter itself.
HP Parts Store

[ace960 · Accepted solution]

OK, the original (faulty) power adapter details are:

- p/n: 608425-003

- spare: 609939-001

The other's from Presario CQ61-315EC which I used for test are:

- p/n: 519329-002

- spare: 463958-001

The part locator does not contain my country (Slovakia). I played with it by selecting other close countries but it did not help me much. I contacted three local shops for suitable power adapter and I already bought one.

- p/n: 608425-001 - this has different suffix than the original one

- spare: 609939-001

The CQ62-a20EC works correctly with both functional power supplies mentioned above.

==

There is one more problem which actually appeared after BIOS update (F.8 -> F2.B).

System diagnostic (pressed F2 during POST) -> battery test:

- BIOS F.8 with faulty power adapter => failed with "no AC adapter connected" message - this sounds reasonable

- BIOS F.2B with faulty power adapter => failed with "primary - replace (30)", failure id: 0GFM7R-52T693-9XL03G-C0E903 - this sounds strange and I would not expect such different error after BIOS update

- BIOS F.2B with the new power adapter => failed with "primary - replace (30)", failure id: 0GFM7R-52T699-9XL03G-C0E903 - please see that the failure is different

[Travis_C]

Hello ace960

Glad to hear you were able to find a replacement power adapter.

As for your additional question/problem have you tried testing and calibrating the battery using HP Support Assistant? For steps on doing so check out the link below.
Testing and Calibrating the Battery (Windows 7)