Charging LED Failure? Compaq Presario V2000

Here's something to speculate on: I've had a Compaq Presario V2000 since about 2004 or so. I've abused it terribly and complained about it nonstop.

Nevertheless, it's been a pretty decent computer for me.

The main failure is the external power supply, which heats up pretty severely under normal conditions (and has done so since it was new). The primary problem with this is that it softens up the plastic housing on the DC wire. When the plastic is soft, the wire is more susceptible to damage.

Several times, I've had to snip the wire and solder it, but each time it got closer to the body of the power supply. Last time the soldered connection died, I cracked the case of the power supply open and re-soldered it right to the circuit board. I tied a knot on the cable inside the box for strain relief and closed it up with electrical tape and zip-ties.

Here's the strange part-- in the few hours since I've fixed it, the little "lightning bolt" power light on the laptop refuses to turn on. When the computer is booted, Windows tells me the computer is getting AC power, and responds appropriately when unplugged. Oddly, the "charging" light no longer comes on, either when the computer is on or when it's shut down.

Anyone have any idea what would cause my onboard "charging" LED to suddenly stop working? Windows seems to think the computer is charging, and the battery meter has been climbing since I plugged it back in.

Thanks!