Weird Laptop Motherboard charging query

[hotlips69]

I've been given a laptop to try and repair for a friend.

Water was spilled onto the laptop (it was left to totally dry for a couple of days) but now it appears to be totally dead (no lights at all).

I realise that the easy answer is to assume its the motherboard, but I was wondering if it could possibly be the CPU that has died?

If this was the case, should the battery charging light on the laptop still light up when external power was applied, regardless of whether the laptop was powered on or not?

 

[corkyg]

Laptops can charge the battery even when not turned on if the battery is below a certain level. What happens if you physically remove the battery and try to run only on the A/C adapter?

 

[hotlips69]

Laptops can charge the battery even when not turned on if the battery is below a certain level. What happens if you physically remove the battery and try to run only on the A/C adapter?

Totally zero in every way, i.e. no lights, no fans, nothing.

I've also tried 3 different compatible AC adapters "just in case" with the same result.

 

[corkyg]

Seems like the charging circuit works, but the mobo is gone. Could also be the memory. Major repair or replacement is indicated.

 

[hotlips69]

CorkyG, I'm confused with your answer.

How do you know the charging circuit works? I've not said anything to indicate that.

My original question has still not been answered though....

Also, I'm wondering if the DC power connector may be faulty (and the battery has clearly run out of power) ?

 

[corkyg]

That's how I interpreted your statement: "If this was the case, should the battery charging light on the laptop still light up when external power was applied, regardless of whether the laptop was powered on or not? "

IOW, that suggested to me that the charging light was on, and thus, the basis for all of my responses.

 

[hotlips69]

Fair enough.....

To clarify, there have been NO lights on at any time, regardless of what I've tried so far, and I was wondering if the CPU was potentially dead causing my issues.

Would the charging light come on when external power was applied if the motherboard was working, but the CPU was dead?

 

[corkyg]

If a good battery were not present, the light would probably not come on. I just ran that as a test on my laptop - removed the battery, and plugged in the A/C adapter. No LED came on. Determining for sure which component is bad, i.e., mobo or CPU is not possible unless you can replace the CPU. The water spill that dried out could have left mineral deposits that may have shorted out a circuit or more. Also, if there were internal dust bunnies, they could have become mud wumps and not dried out even after a couple of days.