Laptop adaptor issues
December 27, 2008 10:06 PM Subscribe
I am using a targus adaptor for a Dell laptop. I have noticed that after while the light on the adaptor switches off and I have to plug it again to use the laptop. Also, its been showing just 9% remaining (charging) for a while now. Whats going on?
1. Trying to charge and being unable to.
2. The brick occasionally crowbars.
Both of those suggest that the brick isn't able to supply as much current as the laptop really wants. I suspect you need one that's beefier.
posted by Class Goat at 10:33 PM on December 27, 2008
2. The brick occasionally crowbars.
Both of those suggest that the brick isn't able to supply as much current as the laptop really wants. I suspect you need one that's beefier.
posted by Class Goat at 10:33 PM on December 27, 2008
If the adaptor isn't the proper wattage, it could be overheating trying to supply the laptop and switching off via a thermal overload device.
Showing remaining charge time like that is an additional symptom pointing to an underpowered powersupply.
posted by tomierna at 10:33 PM on December 27, 2008
Showing remaining charge time like that is an additional symptom pointing to an underpowered powersupply.
posted by tomierna at 10:33 PM on December 27, 2008
Not sure of the explanation, but I used to have that exact same problem with those Targus multi-model adapters.
posted by Ironmouth at 7:11 AM on December 28, 2008
posted by Ironmouth at 7:11 AM on December 28, 2008
I am not totally clear on the details, but my-brother-the-family-computer-expert has stated that non-Dell power sources tend to be not work out well for Dells. There's apparently a proprietary mechanism (bear with me) that causes non-Dell power adapters to act up. I was prepared to disbelieve him (after all, non-Dell adapters are cheaper) until I ended up with problems myself.
I went through a month-long saga this summer where I ordered an off-brand adapter for my Dell laptop and had to send it back because it was doing similar things to what you noted--ultimately, it just wasn't getting the job done. I finally found a place on ebay that sold genuine Dell power adapters and ended up getting one.
You should be able to find google-able confirmation of my brother's assertion (things like this come up when I google 'Dell proprietary power'), but either way, you might want to just spring for a Dell power adapter--they're fairly cheap on eBay (and I'm happy to MeMail you the site I got mine from).
posted by librarylis at 9:46 PM on December 28, 2008
I went through a month-long saga this summer where I ordered an off-brand adapter for my Dell laptop and had to send it back because it was doing similar things to what you noted--ultimately, it just wasn't getting the job done. I finally found a place on ebay that sold genuine Dell power adapters and ended up getting one.
You should be able to find google-able confirmation of my brother's assertion (things like this come up when I google 'Dell proprietary power'), but either way, you might want to just spring for a Dell power adapter--they're fairly cheap on eBay (and I'm happy to MeMail you the site I got mine from).
posted by librarylis at 9:46 PM on December 28, 2008
Class Goat: [...] the brick isn't able to supply as much current as the laptop really wants. I suspect you need one that's beefier.
Sounds right to me.
librarylis: my-brother-the-family-computer-expert has stated that non-Dell power sources tend to be not work out well for Dells. There's apparently a proprietary mechanism [...] things like this come up when I google 'Dell proprietary power')
Not true, basically. While it is theoretically possible to do something like this to a laptop power supply, it is unlikely due to cost and reliability issues. If you match true output power, and output voltage, you won't have any problems with off brand laptop supplies. Of course that is true output power -- Dell supplies are more likely to exceed specifications, while generic supplies are more likely to fail to meet specifications, which could lead to all kinds of unusual theories..
Those google results are for desktops. Dell swapped some pins on the standard desktop ATX connector so that actual ATX supplies wouldn't work on their psuedo-ATX motherboards. Dell to ATX power adapters exist.
posted by Chuckles at 12:05 AM on December 30, 2008
Sounds right to me.
librarylis: my-brother-the-family-computer-expert has stated that non-Dell power sources tend to be not work out well for Dells. There's apparently a proprietary mechanism [...] things like this come up when I google 'Dell proprietary power')
Not true, basically. While it is theoretically possible to do something like this to a laptop power supply, it is unlikely due to cost and reliability issues. If you match true output power, and output voltage, you won't have any problems with off brand laptop supplies. Of course that is true output power -- Dell supplies are more likely to exceed specifications, while generic supplies are more likely to fail to meet specifications, which could lead to all kinds of unusual theories..
Those google results are for desktops. Dell swapped some pins on the standard desktop ATX connector so that actual ATX supplies wouldn't work on their psuedo-ATX motherboards. Dell to ATX power adapters exist.
posted by Chuckles at 12:05 AM on December 30, 2008
Update..
posted by Chuckles at 4:59 PM on August 8, 2009
librarylis: There's apparently a proprietary mechanism [...]It turns out Dell does cripple their laptops so that only Dell power supplies will work. Details here.
Chuckles: Not true, basically. While it is theoretically possible to do something like this to a laptop power supply, it is unlikely due to cost and reliability issues.
posted by Chuckles at 4:59 PM on August 8, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Netzapper at 10:15 PM on December 27, 2008