Orpington Astronomical Society

Random Rambling Ruminations => PC Helpline => Topic started by: Fay on Nov 10, 2012, 21:40:29

Title: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: Fay on Nov 10, 2012, 21:40:29
I put my laptop on & i heard a pop by the transformer. there are a few bare wires showing on transformer, the laptop will not come on, it shows a slight glimmer on one of the switches then goes off. does this mean it is a goner?

I thought the transformer protected it!!
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: MarkS on Nov 10, 2012, 23:14:34

My guess is that the transformer has blown but the laptop may be OK. 

Mark
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: mickw on Nov 10, 2012, 23:26:40
Area the bare wires on the side going to the laptop or the side coming from the mains socket ?

If it's the mains side, is the cable like a kettle plug ? - you could possibly try another lead.

Stop winding your cables up like balls of string !!!!
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: Mac on Nov 11, 2012, 06:18:01
Quotedoes this mean it is a goner?

Na probably a flat battery.

If its the computer side, just strip the cables back and resolder them,
If its the other side, just do the same.

Mac.
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: Fay on Nov 11, 2012, 07:51:58
The broken wires are on the computer side.

the laptop will not come on. its battery is charged.
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: Mac on Nov 11, 2012, 08:00:34
i take it you have unpluged the lead before trying to turn it on?
Also have you removed and reinserted the battery?
Are you 100% sure the battery is fully charged?
Some batteries have a charge indicator on the bottom, have a check.

All Laptop PSU's are normally shorcircuit protected, so even if your cables have shorted, it shouldnt have damaged your laptop.

You probably have a flat battery.

Mac.
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: Fay on Nov 11, 2012, 08:55:28
Thanks for your help Mac.

I charged the battery the day before. i have removed & reinserted the battery. this battery rund down very quick, but was fully charged. i always used mains anyway.
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: mickw on Nov 11, 2012, 09:00:36
If the cable was faulty, the battery might have been running down while you thought it was plugged in and charging.

Have you got one of those car adapters (the correct voltage) you could try ?
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: Fay on Nov 11, 2012, 09:06:15
it was not on long, Mick, about half hour. as soon as I head the "pop" the laptop went off.
what car adapters?
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: JohnP on Nov 11, 2012, 09:57:55
I think Mick is referring to one of those laptop chargers you can get that plugs into the car. I do seem to remember you buying one from Maplin...
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: mickw on Nov 11, 2012, 10:18:06
That's what I mean, although it was plugged in, the wire might have been broken and there might not have been a connection.  Then something move and it went pop.

You can get car adapters that you plug into cigarette lighters and run you laptop off them, maplins sell some, just need to make sure connector will fit and voltage is right.
I think quite a few have them for various reasons.
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: Fay on Nov 11, 2012, 10:53:42
An extremely vulnerable female rushed through PC Worlds doors as they opened, straight to problems desk. this lovely man has sorted it!!!! Yippee!!!

Transformer defunct, so have new one. Battery needs replacing. he said they are only meant to charge 300 times. Suggested Parts master for a new one.

He went through process of elimination, he was very good, they dont always do things at the counter, you have to leave them there.

I am so pleased
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: MarkS on Nov 11, 2012, 11:57:17

Well done - glad it wasn't major and you got it sorted so quickly!

All ready for tonight then - which should be clear.  Hopefully not as foggy as last night - I had to stop imaging at 1am :-(

Mark

Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: The Thing on Nov 11, 2012, 12:33:10
Quote from: MarkS on Nov 11, 2012, 11:57:17

Well done - glad it wasn't major and you got it sorted so quickly!

All ready for tonight then - which should be clear.  Hopefully not as foggy as last night - I had to stop imaging at 1am :-(

Mark



Same here, the murk was making Jupiter all smudgy.
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: mickw on Nov 11, 2012, 13:06:38
Glad it's sorted and amazed PCW were helpful and didn't try and rip you off.

If you always use it plugged in you'll probably not need a battery anyway (they are expensive).
You could try unplugging the mains and just let the battery go completely flat (leave it overnight) a few times before charging it again, there's a chance it might start accepting a full charge again.

I've been using a crappy laptop about 14 years old and still on the same battery.
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: Fay on Nov 11, 2012, 14:18:26
lot of forecasts say cloudy tonight!
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: MarkS on Nov 11, 2012, 15:32:53
BBC and Met Office say clear night with frost ...
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: Tony G on Nov 11, 2012, 17:32:31
Quote from: MarkS on Nov 11, 2012, 15:32:53
BBC and Met Office say clear night with frost ...

By all accounts you don't want to believe everything the BBC says as they will only be apologizing tomorrow and saying they made a mistake.  ;)

Tony G
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: MarkS on Nov 11, 2012, 18:19:13

Yet another cr*p forecast from our national weather service.  It's already clouding over but their forecast is still for a completely clear and frosty night.

How do they manage to get it so wrong  :evil:
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: Fay on Nov 11, 2012, 18:29:57
Total rubbish
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: JohnP on Nov 11, 2012, 18:30:58
Mark I always check http://www.sat24.com/?culture=en at least you get an idea of what's due in next hour....

John.
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: Fay on Nov 11, 2012, 18:39:15
BBC still showing clear sky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cloud is in for the night looking at Sat 24
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: mickw on Nov 11, 2012, 18:42:47
Crystal clear on the marshes  8)
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: JohnP on Nov 11, 2012, 18:43:09
Exactly. Why I'm chilling listening to music with a glass of red...
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: Fay on Nov 11, 2012, 19:03:28
Be quiet Mick!!  Just going to join you John
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: JohnP on Nov 11, 2012, 19:10:40
 :lol:

Don't forget I'm a celeb starts tonight... bet you all can't wait...  ;)
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: MarkS on Nov 11, 2012, 19:11:40
I'm imaging!!

Not sure how long for, though ...

[Later Edit]  20 minutes, then the clouds came over  :evil:
Title: Re: DISASTER!!!!
Post by: RobertM on Nov 11, 2012, 19:17:38
It can't decide between being clear or cloudy here but the forecast I have is clear till 6am !