Off topic: generic laptop adaptor?

[Peter Hiscocks]

CPUsed has IBM power adaptors. 

I took my laptop to Cuba last Christmas, where the line voltage is 220V. The
adaptor said it could work with 220V, so with some trepidation I plugged it
into the hotel wall outlet. There was a flash and a giant ZZZZAAAAP sound
which I'd never heard before, and so I yanked out the plug and assumed that
the adaptor was dead, dead, dead.

Got home, checked with CPUsed, and they wanted something like $75 for a new
one, which is not unreasonable given the output current of the thing.
Anyway, I decided to try the adaptor on 117VAC line. Again, the zap thing,
but a bit more subdued this time and I noticed that the laptop was charging.
So the charger survived completely.

Finding out that the adaptor survived was good, but the best part was
thinking that the laptop was out of commission during the one week holiday,
so I spent the time lounging in the pool with coloured tropical beverages
instead of working on some mind-numbing project specification document.

Peter




On Thu, Sep 22, 2005 at 05:45:31PM -0400, Francois Ouellette wrote:
> Try www.likenewcomputers.com they have off-lease IBM equipment, they may have spare power packs too.
> 
>   Fran?ois Ouellette
> <fouellet-cpI+UMyWUv9BDgjK7y7TUQ at public.gmane.org>
>   ----- Original Message ----- 
>   From: James Golick 
>   To: tlug-lxSQFCZeNF4 at public.gmane.org 
>   Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 5:25 PM
>   Subject: Re: [TLUG]: Off topic: generic laptop adaptor?
> 
> 
>   There are a few generic universal notebook adapters made by
>   Targus.
> 
>   My only advice, is make SURE that your notebook is listed on the package.
>   It must be an exact match, or else the thing may not work.  And they're expensive. 
> 
>   You can get one on College, in the computer district.
> 
>   James
> 
> 
>   On 9/22/05, Alex Maynard <amaynard-vQ8rsROW2HJSpjfjxSPG1fd9D2ou9A/h at public.gmane.org > wrote:
> 
>     I apologize in advance for an off-topic (and probably trivial) question. 
> 
>     Does anyone happen to know if laptop adaptor/power cords are generic or is
>     it better (necessary) to buy the adaptor that matches the laptop? (I have an IBM
>     think pad 21, whose adaptor just broke.)
> 
>     Thank you. 
> 
>     Cheers,
> 
>     Alex
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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-- 
Peter D. Hiscocks                         	   
Professor Emeritus
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering    
Ryerson University,                    
350 Victoria Street,
Toronto, Ontario, M5B 2K3, Canada

Phone:   (416) 979-5000 Ext 6109
Fax:     (416) 979-5280
Email:   phiscock-g851W1bGYuGnS0EtXVNi6w at public.gmane.org
URL:     http://www.ee.ryerson.ca/~phiscock
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