laptop powor problem

[Jest User]

This is probably the wrong newsgroup, but hopefully theres someone that can
help. I have a problem with my terca 8k laptop. a couple weeks ago i had a
problem with the ac adapter,occasionallyy when plugged in, the laptop
wouldn't charge, and i would have to shake the jack a bit to get it to
work.

Recently, however, the adapter has stopped working completely ... i know the
laptop still works, coz i used the last amount of battery power after the
failure for 20 minutes or so ... given all that, i assumed a physical
problem with the DC jack ... i don't have too much knowledge of
electronics, other than how to use a voltmeter .... (oh, i have tested the
adapter on another laptop, to eliminate that possibility, and it worked
fine) ... i removed the exterior, and took a reading from the DC jacks
soldiers to the systemboard, and it read 15 +v .... which really pissed me
off coz i hoped that was the problem .... heres my questions ....

1) if there's 15v at the dc jack, it means its working right (forgive any
stupidity) ...

2) if its not the jack i'm assuming its something on the system board,
probably not worth the expense of professional repairing, or changing ....
any suggestions?

3) since the battery still works is there anyway i can charge the battery
directly .... the only other solution would be to buy another tecra laptop
(or one using compatable battery, and using that for both) ...

thanks in advance for any help u can give ..

 

[Steve]

To answer you last question first, since I can't help you on the others..

I have a Tecra 8000 and routinely charge the battery in the unit, however
when I had a working spare battery, I charged it in a separate OEM battery
charger.. I picked it up on eBay for about $20. There are several models
available, mine is model PA2509U and will use the same power adapter as you
laptop..

BTW. this charger also has the ability to charge the battery pack that fits
in the CD drive slot.

Steve

 

[Chris]

Well.. I am no expert at all....

but I do know that theres got to be some sort of voltage inverter ( i
hope thats eh right word ) thatchanges dc current / ac current in the
ssytem board.. hecne thelaptop is able to get its power from the
battery or the wall mart. Secondly, chancesa re the ac plug on the
ssytem board might be either loose or it may have a cold joint, bad
soldering ????













On Sun, 11 Jan 2004 08:09:25 -0800, "Steve" <esteve@hctc.com> wrote:

To answer you last question first, since I can't help you on the others..

I have a Tecra 8000 and routinely charge the battery in the unit, however
when I had a working spare battery, I charged it in a separate OEM battery
charger.. I picked it up on eBay for about $20. There are several models
available, mine is model PA2509U and will use the same power adapter as you
laptop..

BTW. this charger also has the ability to charge the battery pack that fits
in the CD drive slot.

Steve

 

[Steve]

"Chris" <krisclark349@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:tc0300dm9ankteo8meniu6v6o9ul5haoah@4ax.com...

Well.. I am no expert at all....

but I do know that theres got to be some sort of voltage inverter ( i
hope thats eh right word ) thatchanges dc current / ac current in the
ssytem board.. hecne thelaptop is able to get its power from the
battery or the wall mart. Secondly, chancesa re the ac plug on the
ssytem board might be either loose or it may have a cold joint, bad
soldering ????

The Tecra only takes 15 vdc into the unit. Whether the power is provided by
a 120 vac or by 12 vdc auto adaptor, they all pass through a 'Brick' for
either power source. The output of the 'Brick' is always within the ~ 15 vdc
power requirement.

If the battery is dead or removed the laptop will still work from the power
adaptor. Or the Power Adaptor can also be use to with the Toshiba charger
unit, to charge the batteries outside of the Laptop.

Steve