laptop wont power on when closed

**robr** · 04-07-2004, 12:41 PM

i have a laptop that wont power on when closed (NEC Versa LX). i figured i could short a switch or something so the notebook would think the panel is open, but i cant FIND one!!! whatever it is, the laptop thinks its closed until i raise the panel a good 3-4". any thoughts on this?

**ukchris** · 04-07-2004, 12:42 PM

Look in the BIOS, there are usually power options in there that govern how it acts with the screen closed. Do you have an external screen attached? It may also refuse to book without either external VGA or the screen open, I think it more likely is a power setting issue though.

Chris.

**robr** · 04-07-2004, 12:50 PM

thanks, not a thing in the BIOS to govern this sort of behavior unfortunately. i'll try it with a monitor attached (since thats how it will be used in the car anyway). perhaps shorting something in the docking station connector is an option as well if i could somehow get my hands on the specs.

**ukchris** · 04-07-2004, 12:57 PM

Power management settings in control panel...? The sensor for the screen being closed is normally a little push switch, maybe if you just hack the top off it!

**robr** · 04-07-2004, 01:02 PM

ive seen the little pin on other laptops, on this one i see nothing that could be hit when closing the panel.... maybe its mounted inside the panel hinging. ill check control panel but i figured that wouldnt do it because windows isnt running when the system is off and im trying to turn it on.

**MatrixPC** · 04-07-2004, 01:23 PM

I run into this problem once and I am just freak out. The solution to your problem is either in BIOS under power managment or in Window power managment. There is one setting Hipernate/Shutdown/whatever when the panel is CLOSE.
check that and disable or do whatever you want. External monitor also doesn't do anything if that setting is enable.

Originally Posted by robr

ive seen the little pin on other laptops, on this one i see nothing that could be hit when closing the panel

Some laptops, the pin you are talking about is combine with the panel lock. When you close the panel, the panel lock is click and press the switch at the same time. Sony VIOS is one of those.

**robr** · 04-07-2004, 01:39 PM

thanks, ill check out the power mgmt settings under windows when i get home. its definitely not the lock as the unit still thinks the panel is closed even after i disengage the lock until the panel has been raised 3-4".

**robr** · 04-07-2004, 10:45 PM

alas, no such luck. there is nothing specific to a laptop at all under power management settings. just the same stuff you'd find on any desktop. im running winME on this.

**robr** · 04-10-2004, 09:51 AM

**robr** · 04-10-2004, 09:52 AM

problem solved. disassembled the hinge housings and found on one of the hinges there was a cam lobe than when rotated, it closed a small switch. i tried to pry the metal piece of the switch that was being closed out from under the cam (so i could fix it if i wanted), but it broke off. oh well, it powers on when closed now anyway.
next step, figure out the docking station wiring, when you plug this into a docking station, it powers on automatically.