Laptop power adaptor no longer powering laptop

Posted by: JWM on 13 April 2009

Laptop power adaptor no longer powering computer.

I have tried changing fuse and wall socket, but the light on the computer is not lit, so no juice is getting through. This has happened today, possibly after a complete cut out (like a power cut) after which I I tried switching on again and all seemed fine.

I didn't realise there was a mains problem until too late - i.e. unbeknown to me, it was working on battery until the battery ran out!

Seems to me it's either (1) the Adaptor having gone phut, or (2) the mains thingy inside the computer has broken.

I'm not expecting a sight unseen Forum diagnosis! But has anyone experienced anything similar?

(This is fairly crucial at the moment because I'm not really supposed to sit [at desk & PC] because of a slipped disc... ouch ...but can balance a laptop on my tum...)

Good wishes,
James
Posted on: 13 April 2009 by Derek Wright
How long have you had the mains connected since you noticed that you had run out of battery power. It is not unknown for a fully discharged battery to take a while under charge before it shows signs of working again.
Posted on: 13 April 2009 by JWM
To clarify, the problem is the mains power not working, not the battery not working.

The laptop has been plugged into the mains all the while, so should be working from the mains. I only realised the mains wasn't working when the low battery warning came on - i.e. it had in fact been working from battery not mains.
Posted on: 13 April 2009 by Ian G.
dodgy connector ? - do you have a multimeter handy to measure the voltage at the connector which plugs into the laptop? Should tell you on the 'brick' what to expect.

Ian
Posted on: 15 April 2009 by Rockingdoc
I have one word for you; Maplin.
Posted on: 15 April 2009 by JWM
Thanks for answers. Being laid-up, and not having a multimeter, I had to do something so took the plunge and bought a(n inexpensive) new mains adaptor, and that seems to have done the trick. In fact, now looking back, I think there were signs of the old one being on the blink for some weeks.

Thanks.
James