Power issue?

lazer46 · 19 Apr 2010 at 18:20

Mate has a Dell laptop and has the power plugged in and it starts up and then 5 seconds later it goes off. One message said battery critically low.

Took the battery out but the laptop won't come on at all!!

Do you think it is the power lead?

Is there a way to test the power lead at the end? The power 'brick' has a green light on it. Cheers

beermonster · 19 Apr 2010 at 23:09

you should be able to test the psu connector with a multi meter on DC volts, the power light on the brick is not an indication its working unfortunatly

lazer46 · 20 Apr 2010 at 18:25

Tested and it is kaput. Ordered a ne AC Adapter £12.

dimo · 20 Apr 2010 at 19:04

WHy did it happen? Any idea?

fs123 · 21 Apr 2010 at 00:00

If a light is on, the power adapter may be ok..the cable might have a break in it. This is very common especially if the cable gets bent and twisted often.

lazer46 · 21 Apr 2010 at 09:16

On the end of the cable is a steel roll that the cable fits through and is protected in rubber. What is this for? Will it matter if i cut it off (Already done so). I couldn't solder on a new end as the 'steel roll' was too close to the end that goes into the laptop!!

Edit: On some websites it says to just cut it off!!

fs123 · 22 Apr 2010 at 10:21

lazer46 said:
On the end of the cable is a steel roll that the cable fits through and is protected in rubber. What is this for? Will it matter if i cut it off (Already done so). I couldn't solder on a new end as the 'steel roll' was too close to the end that goes into the laptop!!

Edit: On some websites it says to just cut it off!!

The steel roll is a ferrite bead used as an EMI noise filter. It helps clean up the voltage a bit.

lazer46 · 24 Apr 2010 at 21:35

So, if i cut it off and put a new plug on the end it won't or shouldn't cause any problems?

beermonster · 25 Apr 2010 at 20:08

lazer46 said:
So, if i cut it off and put a new plug on the end it won't or shouldn't cause any problems?

Nope have done it a few times.

AaronS · 25 Apr 2010 at 21:03

The end can sometimes come loose or even melt at high temps, but on the other hand, could just need a new fuse

lazer46 · 25 Apr 2010 at 21:36

I have seen my mates laptop Adapter 'end' look melted! Why would that happen?

AaronS · 26 Apr 2010 at 21:55

lazer46 said:
I have seen my mates laptop Adapter 'end' look melted! Why would that happen?

It gets hot....

mine melted a few times, quite a lot.. my fault for using it on the bed

lazer46 · 26 Apr 2010 at 22:10

But surely that shouldn't happen?

AaronS · 26 Apr 2010 at 22:26

lazer46 said:
But surely that shouldn't happen?

Laptops generally get hot.. over time the fan gets filled with dust and/or pet hair, etc... makes it hotter, the battery gets super hot if plugged in and charging whilst using.. for some reason.