Acer 300 Power issues ( switch and internal PS )

[Dimitri Patakidis]

Having power issues :)
The switch of the C300 no longer works. After taking it most of it apart I can't tell if the switch lever is supposed to be magnetic or mechanical. Maybe someone can shed some light?

In addition when plugging in the power supply, the battery charging light comes on, but goes out about 5 seconds later. I don't know if that's because the battery is at it's last legs, or if it because there is some other problem with the power supply inside the tablet. The same external power supply can power another acer laptop fine. (not a C300).

Hopefully someone has run into this before and can comment :)

[Steve S]

Dimitri:

Regarding the power switch, I can't help. Maybe another forum member will be able to provide useful information.

Regarding your power supply / battery, how old is the battery? If it is at least 2-3 years old, then it is almost certainly on the verge of being worn out. Because your power supply can successfully power another laptop, the chances of it somehow being faulty are pretty small.

I would recommend that you try another, newer battery in your C300. Alternatively, this might be a time to consider a new tablet!

[bmhome1]

The C300 has momentary contact mechanical slider switch (push and hold until power-on state shows on hard drive LED, but too long will shut back down, as intended for dual function provision). It probably can be bypassed by shorting the two contact points as if sliding the switch.

Does the LED light simply go off or is there more of a mechanical sounding switching off? If silently goes out, probably dead battery sensed. If battery has been left unused for extended period before, it often will be dead powered up. If noisier sounds, more likely power supply issues.

[Dimitri Patakidis]

Thanks for the replies.
I stumbled on another thread discussing a power switch and I looked up the part # mentioned. The C300 uses the same switch. It's mechanical and the lever has broken clean off.
The good news is I used a small (tiny) screwdriver to slide it to the on position and the machine came to life. I had the machine reassembled already so I just pried the case switch slider off to gain access.
For future reference the C300 power switch is a Panasonic ESD16 series
Digikey P/N: P11159SCT-ND

[bmhome1]

Be VERY careful sliding switch directly inside, if it's board mounted and anything remotely like Motion's M series power switch, breaking apart that motherboard switch spells disaster, being SMS soldered onto board.

[Dimitri Patakidis]

Getting to it with a soldering iron will be fun since you have to unscrew the screen swivel base so the cover will come off. I am contemplating braking off that section of the case so I don't have to disconnect the screen wiring - those connectors look waay too touchy.

[bmhome1]

I have a copy of the C300 series Service Manual with parts numbers in PDF that I can forward to you if you need that.

[bmhome1]

Here is link to download C300 Service Manual (4.8MB PDF). The link should be permanent for future user needs:

http://rcpt.yousendit.com/885197417/6a3c71e17bd5764f93bd03f0cb53fa9a