Laptop battery will not charge.

I have had this issues on a couple of my older laptops. it is usually one of three causes:
  1. the batter cannot hold a charge - the fix would be to replace the battery. this not fun as sometimes they are hard to find and expensive.
   2. the cord or the charger is malfunctioning. if you are like me i have have a laptop sit on my lap with the cord bent underneath. these cords are not very strong and break internally. the fix would be to replace the unit - it can be a hassle to find these but a google search should yeild the results
  3. the connection from the power port onto the motherboard has become loose. if this is the case it is quite costly and difficult to replace. motherboards are usually custom to that individual machine and difficult to find online. - evidence of this may be if you are continually moving the cord in different positions to get it to indicate that it is charging. if this is the case it is probably best to get a new laptop.

it can be a bad contact at the dc jack, or a broken one - check it
here a nice guide how to replace a dc jack :  http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2007/12/06/dc-power-jack-repair-guide/

but it can also be the charging circuits on the mobo; in that case you'll need a new mobo if you need to run from battery

Nobus, I just read your post again and realized you said " it can also be the charging circuits on the mobo; in that case you'll need a new mobo IF YOU NEED TO RUN FROM BATTERY".

Let me clarify... unless I put in a precharged battery, the laptop will not run WITH OR WITHOUT the laptop being plugged into external power.  Any further thoughts?

if it runs from battery - and it does not charge, it is one of 2:
1-bad ac Adapter
2-bad charging circuitry on mobo - it can be aloose DC power jack also - check that

>>  the laptop will not run WITH OR WITHOUT the laptop being plugged into external power.  << this means the power does not even reach the charging circuit - nor the laptop DC power harness

i suppose you checked the DC jack and connector?

I've eliminated all but two options.  So it's either a bad charging circuitry on mobo OR a aloose DC power jack.  How do I check DC jack and connector?

by opening the laptop, and inspecting visually first
or better measure the voltage after the jack on the mobo
FYI - i have repalced a jack; it's not very difficult, if you can solder properly

I would try but I don't where to buy the parts needed.  The manufacturers aren't helpful with this at all.   Suggestions?
Thank You!

post the exact model of the laptop, then i'll have a look
or - if you want to llok yourself, google for :
exactmodel +dc jack
or look at a vendor site for replacement parts

I'll look and then post back.  Thanks.

anyway, post what you find

The laptop is a gatwary NEW90.  Here's a couple options...
http://shop.mcccomputers.com/quick-order
and
http://compare.ebay.com/like/400319412161?var=lv<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar
My only concern is the desclaimer says to order by part number. Not all parts work on all laptops evan if the latops are the same model. I don't know what the part number is.  I looked at Gateways wesite and couldn't find it.  Do you think I should call them or do you think one of these two will work.  Or, if I take it apart now do you know if the part number will be printed on it?  Also, one is with a cable and one is without.  Do you think I need this cable?  Lot's of questions, I know.

thank you.

Thanks for the link.  I ordered one for $5.99.  The only numbers I can find on this laptop are Model NEW90 and then under that there is another number NV59C09u.  I ordered this one.

http://www.dcpowerjacks.net/catalog/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=nv59c09u

if the size, and solder pins are the same -it will work; impossible to tell like that
good luck PCGal