Laptop Power Problem

[mr_crowley]

Hi guys

Have a Packard Bell laptop, approx 18 months old.

Could smell burning plastic smell coming from where DC adapter meets the laptop.

Managed to removed power supply, laptop was working fine and allowed me to full back up hard drives before power ran out.

The power light on the supply is lit permanent green until I try to plug into laptop at which point it starts to flash and I begin to smell plastic again.

Is this an indicator of a faulty power supply or is the laptop the problem.

Was considering buying one of the universal chargers but if its laptop dont want to waste money

Any ideas

Cheers

Tim

[geobon]

That normally happens when the actual power socket on the laptop need fixed/replaced

[mr_crowley]

ouch...thats what I was not hoping for :( thx for quick reply m8

[Van Nugent]

An volt-ohm meter can quickly tell you if the AC adapter is bad.

[mr_crowley]

thanks m8....think I saw that Aldi had them in their specials flyer....will grab one when in town and check it out.

If it is the laptop power socket how costly would that be......before I decide on a new for old opps dropped on house insurance lol

[geobon]

The power sockets can usually be had for well under £5 depending on the make / model, and if your handy with a soldering iron then thats a plus when it comes to cost.

Can you not borrow a voltage meter from someone to check the psu? could be a bit expensive buying a new psu when it might be the power socket as thats a common fault.

Some info here http://www.powerjackrepair.org/blinkinglaptopadapter.html


.

[mr_crowley]

Cheers mate

I had a mate with a universal power supply.....plugged that into my laptop and it immediately started to smoke from the power socket and his light started to flash too.

Rang a local PC repair shop (independent) who says if he can fix it he will charge £90 + VAT - does that sound a good price? Sounds steep after you said about the price of the power socket.

PS I've never soldered in my life and dont want to try it out on my laptop - cost £549 as a reduced price when I bought it so not the cheapest thing to learn on lol

[Van Nugent]

When something is wrong on the laptop's side, power-wise, that you could smell the burning, I do not think it's just simply the socket. The socket is just the most obvious thing you can see the burning. So is the £90 charge reasonable? I can't say for sure without knowing exactly what was wrong. It might cost less and it might cost more but if we can't do it ourselves, £90 is what we need to spend to have the laptop back in its working condition. Hopefully nothing else was affected that will cost you more than that.

[staffiebull]

the sockets i've replaced have always been underneath the motherboard so, i guess they're charging you for a couple of hours labour, as van said, thats what they're charging you, so its up to you to decide wether its worth paying for

[geobon]

What make / model is the lappy?

You should speak to Dodgyfeas, if he cant sort it he'll know someone who can

[mr_crowley]

Thanks for contribution so far gents, I gathered i was paying for expertise.....typical BST'er wanting it cheaper lol

thanks geobon....I may well try him (I seemed to assume he was predominantly Acer)

Its a Packared Bell Easynote SW51-B-012

[geobon]

no harm in asking, and i think packard bell is owned by acer anyway.