My old adaptor for my lappy was falling apart. Got a new universal one from Asda this morning.

It's been fine all afternoon, but I've just noticed it's plugged in and battery is showing as balanced at 21%, but it's not charging.

Any ideas what the problem might be and if I can do anything to sort it (short of returning it).

What is the voltage output and amperage of the new one (or can you link to the product on the Asda site)?

What does it say for the voltage and amperage on the old one?

Also - take a look at the battery - and copy any spec from it too please (or can you link to a spec for the laptop, or say the model number)?

Output on the old one is 20v 3.25A. Bit confused by the new one as it seems to vary, I guess depending on the type of lappy it's use with. It's this one. http://trust.com/products/product.aspx?artnr=17259

I tried it in the shop and it seemed to work, but now I look at that link, my lappy isn't listed. It's an Advent 5301.

I guess I might have answered my own question.

Also clean the terminals on the battery and the laptop. I did that once to a laptop that I thought the battery was duff on. It turned out that the terminals were dirty

• Compact 70 Watt universal notebook power adapter to use as replacement or secondary power adapter at home/office
  
• Equipped with 8 different notebook tips and 6 step selectable power output to assure compatibility with major notebook brands
  
• Switchable 12/15/16/18/19/20 Volt DC notebook power output
   
  70W at 20v is 3,5A so should be fine based on your old one being 3,25A
   
  So the spec seems fine - Is it set to 20V?
   
  Why did you replace the old one, was it by any chance doing the same as the new one?
  

The old one worked but it was falling apart. Then I noticed that some of the wires were exposed and fraying so thought it best to scrap it.

Will try cleaning the terminals silverfox. Just a soft brush or something?

If you still have the old one - check if it still charges the battery.

Sorry. The battery ran down completely, so every time I take out the lead my lappy closes down.

The now one said it was plugged in and charging but nothing happened. Put in the old one and it's now gone up to 3% so that's working.

It sounds like the new one is duff then - do you have a multimeter?

Probably not - as I have no idea what a multimeter is.

Well - there goes that plan then!!!! :D:D

http://www.maplin.co.uk/ut-30b-digital-compact-multimeter-46498

The only other thing I can think of would be if one said "regulated" and the other "unregulated" - but that is extremely unlikely.

I think you need to return it and say what has happened.

In case you hadn't noticed - I'm not very techy!!

Thanks for your help Bang! I'll take it back tomorrow.

Nicely charging now with dodgy old lead.

If you know someone who is technically minded - its very simple (if the charger is not glued together) to open it up and replace the lead.

Caro, there are many factors that can affect this sort of issue with a laptop's adapter.

Have you definitely set the Voltage on the new adapter to 20V? If so, then try setting it to 19V and try again. What about the tip, are you sure you're using the correct tip size for your laptop's power socket? Is the old adapter the original laptop one or an old replacement? Is your laptop's power socket 'loose' in any way when you connect the adapter's tip into it - the old or new one?

Does the light on the new adapter come on when plugged into the mains? You state that the adapter worked in the store, but how did you test this? Was there an exact same model open in the store or just another adapter?

Sorry for all the questions, but I used to run my own IT business and know a little about diagnosing this classic problem with laptops!

Rgds.

Caro, there are many factors that can affect this sort of issue with a laptop's adapter.

Have you definitely set the Voltage on the new adapter to 20V? All I did was plug it in.

 

If so, then try setting it to 19V and try again. How do I set it?

 

What about the tip, are you sure you're using the correct tip size for your laptop's power socket? It fits very well so I thought it was ok.

Is the old adapter the original laptop one or an old replacement? An old replacement.

 

Is your laptop's power socket 'loose' in any way when you connect the adapter's tip into it - the old or new one? The new one seems better than the old one which had a tendency to fall out quite easily. The new one seems more secure.

Does the light on the new adapter come on when plugged into the mains? Yes

 

You state that the adapter worked in the store, but how did you test this? Was there an exact same model open in the store or just another adapter? The sales assistant asked if I'd definitely buy it if it worked and when I said yes he plugged it into my lappy. The power light flashed amber as it usually does when charging so I thought it was ok.

Sorry for all the questions, but I used to run my own IT business and know a little about diagnosing this classic problem with laptops!

Rgds.

No problem with the questions. Thanks for taking the time.

If you know someone who is technically minded - its very simple (if the charger is not glued together) to open it up and replace the lead.

The lead plugs into the adapter and I've tried using the old one in the new adapter. Doesn't work.

Will try cleaning the terminals silverfox. Just a soft brush or something?

Depends if you can get to the terminals but I used wet and dry paper (dry obviously) but after what has been posted since then, I don't think it could be the terminals

Caro, there are many factors that can affect this sort of issue with a laptop's adapter.

Have you definitely set the Voltage on the new adapter to 20V? All I did was plug it in.

So, did you see if the sales assistant set the device to the correct Voltage? Did he/she even mention anything about this to you?!

If so, then try setting it to 19V and try again. How do I set it?

Load the product link you posted in #3 and click on 'Download Manuals' on the left of the product information page. Download the 'Quick install manual' at the top of the table shown, which will open a PDF file. There is a round part to the device, which has a dial for setting the correct Voltage, as shown in Diagram 1 - Find your laptop's Voltage.

What about the tip, are you sure you're using the correct tip size for your laptop's power socket? It fits very well so I thought it was ok.

Is the old adapter the original laptop one or an old replacement? An old replacement.

Is your laptop's power socket 'loose' in any way when you connect the adapter's tip into it - the old or new one? The new one seems better than the old one which had a tendency to fall out quite easily. The new one seems more secure.

Does the light on the new adapter come on when plugged into the mains? Yes

You state that the adapter worked in the store, but how did you test this? Was there an exact same model open in the store or just another adapter? The sales assistant asked if I'd definitely buy it if it worked and when I said yes he plugged it into my lappy. The power light flashed amber as it usually does when charging so I thought it was ok.

You can also double-check the correct ratings for your laptop (i.e. Voltage & AMP) on the battery and the bottom of your laptop (if still visible) just to make sure what Voltage you should set the new adapter to.

Rgds.

Caro, there are many factors that can affect this sort of issue with a laptop's adapter.

Have you definitely set the Voltage on the new adapter to 20V? All I did was plug it in.

 

So, did you see if the sales assistant set the device to the correct Voltage? Did he/she even mention anything about this to you?!

 

No he didn't. I don't think he knew any more than me.

 

 

If so, then try setting it to 19V and try again. How do I set it?

 

Load the product link you posted in #3 and click on 'Download Manuals' on the left of the product information page. Download the 'Quick install manual' at the top of the table shown, which will open a PDF file. There is a round part to the device, which has a dial for setting the correct Voltage, as shown in Diagram 1 - Find your laptop's Voltage.

I'll have a go.

 

What about the tip, are you sure you're using the correct tip size for your laptop's power socket? It fits very well so I thought it was ok.

 

Is the old adapter the original laptop one or an old replacement? An old replacement.

 

Is your laptop's power socket 'loose' in any way when you connect the adapter's tip into it - the old or new one? The new one seems better than the old one which had a tendency to fall out quite easily. The new one seems more secure.

 

Does the light on the new adapter come on when plugged into the mains? Yes

 

You state that the adapter worked in the store, but how did you test this? Was there an exact same model open in the store or just another adapter? The sales assistant asked if I'd definitely buy it if it worked and when I said yes he plugged it into my lappy. The power light flashed amber as it usually does when charging so I thought it was ok.

 

You can also double-check the correct ratings for your laptop (i.e. Voltage & AMP) on the battery and the bottom of your laptop (if still visible) just to make sure what Voltage you should set the new adapter to.

 

Rgds.

Thanks.

EUREKA!!

Couldn't find the round thing but it had a big sticky label on, and underneath is a slidey thing with the voltage. Changed it from 12 to 20 and it's now working properly - I think!

Thanks so much radmm0.

DD was saying her replacement cable has never charged the battery on her lappy either, so I'll tell her how to sort hers out too.

As an aside, I'd been having problems with the mousepad sticking after it had been on for a while, and it hasn't happened with the new adapter, so I guess it may have been to do with the dodgy wiring on the old one.

Thanks to everyone for taking the time.

Excellent news! Just as an extra important point; in future everyone should try and visit their local INDEPENDENT IT store to get things sorted BEFORE going anywhere near the big shops, as you definitely can't rely on ASDA, TESCO, PC WORLD or any other large retailer's staff to know anything about what they're selling, especially technology stuff!! Maplin's and J Lewis staff are sometimes a bit more capable, but even they are hit and miss.

One other hint for you and all CAGgers is never have your battery in the laptop if you mainly use the laptop with the electricity cable, as it can tend to ruin the battery and shorten its life. A lot of our clients used to think the battery has to be in the laptop for it to work, with or without being connected to the electricity!

Rgds.

Thanks for the hint radmm0.

I did go to a local independent first (not my usual one), but for a cheap adapter it was £30, or there was one for £50. PC World was also £50, and I was going to get one online when I thought about Asda because I was being impatient.

I've had my laptop quite a while and didn't want to spend much, because if I had to spend £50 I'd rather put that money towards a new one.

It is a shame that it's so difficult for independent traders to be competitive price wise, because undoubtedly they will know much more about what they're doing than sales assistants in the larger retailers. I'd rather go to them if I could, but I'm afraid price has to be a consideration for me, as it does for most. If I have a problem though, I always use a very good local company, and I have bought a part exchange off him in the past and will use them again. The young man started the company, and even had a shop at 14, but on this occasion I didn't go there as he's moved premises and isn't quite so handy for me. Lesson learned though because you're right about independents.