A new addition to the family

[veronica_rich]

About a month ago, my Gateway laptop started having, shall we say, "issues" with its power cord. When I'd plug it into the back of the computer, the contacts wouldn't connect with the little spindly post in there, to deliver power to the battery. I'd fiddle with the cord a bit, and it would work. As the weeks went on, I had to fiddle a lot more. I ordered a new cord; no difference. Still problems.


Finally, on Friday, I had about all I could handle - the damn thing was still giving me problems, I had two articles to finish proofreading and send to my editor, and I couldn't get any cooperation out of the Gateway. I managed to jury-rig it for that and to chat that night, but it just stopped around 1 in the morning. On Saturday, there wasn't even an effort to work with either of the cords. (On top of that, the old cord's rubber has been fried away over the past weeks - the part that lines the inside of the little part that sticks into the back of the computer? It looks chewed on the inside, and cauterized. That CAN'T be right.)

So, I went to Best Buy to look over their selection - I hate making a large purchase in one or two days, but the nature of my work demands I have a technically competent computer almost every day, and my old iMac, while all right for chatting or what-not in a pinch, isn't quite up to the task of producing articles. While I'm fortunate that I just finished paying off my car (knock on wood), I really didn't want to indebt myself for a new computer. However, I have a BB card and they were running a 12-month same as cash deal on new packages, so you are reading this courtesy of a Compaq Presario V2000 Centrino (I had a Compaq for 2 years before the Gateway, and while it was slow as Christmas, it operated just fine until my sister killed the motherboard with a Coke). I went ahead and bought the 3-year service plan too, mainly for the battery it will provide to replace this one eventually. This model may be a bit more than I need, but honestly ... maybe not. It has what is supposed to be a kick-ass battery, it runs a little faster than the Gateway, and it's tiny - it only weighs about 5 pounds and is quite thin. Seeing as I travel with my computer at least 3 times a year for extended periods and use it for hours every day, maybe this is exactly what I need, even if it cost more ...

Now I just have to pay the damn thing off. Argh.

But I have a lingering question: Do laptops normally fry their power cords when the battery is just about to die? Because that's what happened - on Saturday, I was able to boot it up just long enough to retrieve a few files and e-mail addresses, and then it went kaput because the spindly-thing in back finally said goodbye to any power cord connection. Is it an electrical failure? Or should I invest in a new or used battery and keep it as a backup? Anyone have experience with this problem, or with Gateways?

EDIT: For cosmetic reasons and because it's a fairly boring topic if you don't care. *G*

Comments

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[sandwichcompany.livejournal.com]

I have a Compaq laptop that I got last year in April, and I use it for about four + hours a day. So, about a month ago, the power cord died. I used it till it broke, when it wouldnt work any longer (and I ran the last bit of battery dry), I took it to Fry's (where it was bought) and had the computer technicians look at it. Since it was under warantee still, they looked at it and told me that I might have to send it back to Compaq to get a new outlet installed. My dad and I convinced the guy to go find another power cord and attempt to plug in my laptop, it worked, so the guy gave us the cord and we left. I think it's possible if it's still under warantee to go and send it back to the company for repairs. I guess it all depends on where you bought it and their policy on repairs, seeing as the guy had orginally offered to put in another outlet. So I think that if it's still under warantee (or if you'd like to pay), and you'd like it to continue to live on, they can replace the outlet.

Okay, I'm rambling now.
Ta.
-nerual.

[smtfhw.livejournal.com]

I think it's just that the power cables wear out at about the same time as the batteries. That happened to me and I simply bought a new interchangeable power unit from a company called iGo. It worked with a friend's dead HP laptop, and works with both my Dell machines, because it's supplied with various versions of the bit that fits into the machine. Pricey, but very useful indeed, especially as it also comes with an end for fitting taking power from your car cigarette lighter socket, and another bit for use on those planes that have computer connectivity set up. Don't know if that's helpful or not...

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

(I know, it's bad I've waited this long to reply ...)

See, I bought a new power cord that I was using for about two weeks before the computer finally just gave up and died. The new power cord worked fine at first, but then the computer got to a point it wouldn't accept juice even from it. I can believe the battery may need to be replaced, but that wouldn't affect if the computer can turn on and be used - after all, demo models at Best Buy are strictly plug-in, the batteries are removed before they're put out for customer handling.

Re: ...

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Nah, the computer's not under warranty. My mother loaned it to me; basically, she'd had it locked up in her closet, unused, for MONTHS until I needed a replacement, so any warranty it had had was expired before it died nearly two years after purchase. And the new power cord didn't help at all, since it works just fine - it's the computer that's being an ass.

(It took me long enough to reply to this!)