My Notebook On It's Last Legs?

[Lopburi99]

I have a Fujitsu Lifebook I bought in 2002. It's been a great machine, a highly durable old beast, but I think it may finally now be nearing the time to visit the Great Notebook in the Sky.

I recently bought an USB Edge modem and needed to also buy a combo card because the old USB 1.1 ports on my machine were evidently (according to the tech) underpowered. Using the USB ports on the combo card, my Edge modem works fine.

But, also recently I started noticing the AC/DC adapter cable which attaches to the notebook has been getting hot at the connection point. It still gets hot even if the combo card and modem are not inserted. Even so, I can't imagine an Edge model sapping enough power to be the problem but I am not an electronics guy.

I think there is an increased current draw somewhere else in the PC, right? Not a good sign, right? On it's last legs, right?

I don't have the extra 15,000 baht for a new notebook yet. Hope this machine can hold on until next spring.

[lopburi3]

You might just need to clean it out - expect they do get full of dust after awhile. Believe service centers offer such a service for low cost. Or even a vacuum might help.

The current draw may be the battery on its last legs; rather than the computer.

[Lopburi99]

You might just need to clean it out - expect they do get full of dust after awhile. Believe service centers offer such a service for low cost. Or even a vacuum might help.

The current draw may be the battery on its last legs; rather than the computer.

Aha, that is probably it. It is the original one and I cannot operate the pc for more than a minute on it because it hardly holds a charge so I always have the charger connected. I never thought that could cause excessive current draw. Unfortunately Fujitsu replacement batteries are expensive, I think about 3-4,000 baht. Do you know if there is such a thing as a low cost "generic", or do most notebooks require an exact battery match?

[d0ndela]

If you are anywhere close to Bangkok you should be able to find generic cheap model batteries for pretty much all brands/models in Pantip, Zeer Rangsit etc.

[Crossy]

If you are anywhere close to Bangkok you should be able to find generic cheap model batteries for pretty much all brands/models in Pantip, Zeer Rangsit etc.

Many branches of Amorn will be able to re-cell your battery for significantly less than a genuine replacement

Try running the machine without the battery (most will run ok, the odd one or two won't) and see if you're still getting that connector heating up.

[davejonesbkk]

Your lucky, my laptop that I bought less than 2 years ago in Dec 07 now overheats and switches off unless I use a fan deck and have the room cool. Then again it is switched on approx. 16 hours a day, 365 days a year

[Lopburi99]

Your lucky, my laptop that I bought less than 2 years ago in Dec 07 now overheats and switches off unless I use a fan deck and have the room cool. Then again it is switched on approx. 16 hours a day, 365 days a year

Wow, that's a lot of ThaiVisa Dave!

[elkangorito]

But, also recently I started noticing the AC/DC adapter cable which attaches to the notebook has been getting hot at the connection point. It still gets hot even if the combo card and modem are not inserted. Even so, I can't imagine an Edge model sapping enough power to be the problem but I am not an electronics guy.

I think there is an increased current draw somewhere else in the PC, right? Not a good sign, right? On it's last legs, right?

It could also be a bad plug connection (resistive). Do what Crossy says...try it without the battery (if possible) & a different plug.

[Lopburi99]

But, also recently I started noticing the AC/DC adapter cable which attaches to the notebook has been getting hot at the connection point. It still gets hot even if the combo card and modem are not inserted. Even so, I can't imagine an Edge model sapping enough power to be the problem but I am not an electronics guy.

I think there is an increased current draw somewhere else in the PC, right? Not a good sign, right? On it's last legs, right?

It could also be a bad plug connection (resistive). Do what Crossy says...try it without the battery (if possible) & a different plug.

Having a new plug put on as we speak fellow PPL guy, will get the pc back tomorrow. Can't wait to do Crossy's advice of no battery. Sure hope a Fujitsu doesn't require one. I'll let you guys know what I find out. Thanks.

BTW, I was wondering where the expression "on it's last legs" came from. The prevalent meaning, it appears, refers to the last leg of a journey. Makes sense now, but that didn't immediately come to mind. I was thinking something about human or animal legs. Another expression used by my parents I've carried over all these years.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/on+one+last+legs

[raro]

7 years is an waful lot for a laptop. My last one (HP) died almost on the day 2 years after firing itup for the first time. Now I have an Acer and luckily I bought the extended warranty. Had it in service yesterday for a flickering screen. All replaced for free without questions asked.

[nidge]

I just bought a cooling pad for my wifes laptop. I think it was about 250 baht and keeps the laptop much cooler. Perhaps you could try one of those. The fans will come on less, (or run slower), decreasing the power drain.

Nidge.

[raro]

I just bought a cooling pad for my wifes laptop. I think it was about 250 baht and keeps the laptop much cooler. Perhaps you could try one of those. The fans will come on less, (or run slower), decreasing the power drain.

Nidge.

the cooling pad help, bbt if the laptop is really overheating, chances are that the cooling radiator is clogged with dust. bring it to some service and they will give it a cleaning for a few hundred Baht.

[astral]

My HP does need a battery present to work.

I have just invested in a new battery, but it does not charge correctly.

Windows shows 59% charged even after hours.......

So I now have to work out if it is the new battery that is at fault, the charger brick,

or the laptop itself....

Why is life never simple?

[NHJ]

My HP does need a battery present to work.

I have just invested in a new battery, but it does not charge correctly.

Windows shows 59% charged even after hours.......

So I now have to work out if it is the new battery that is at fault, the charger brick,

or the laptop itself....

Why is life never simple?

this is the always the battery, if you wanna be sure you can download the HP battery check here :

http://h20239.www2.hp.com/techcenter/battery/battery_ts.htm

[Crossy]

My HP does need a battery present to work.

I have just invested in a new battery, but it does not charge correctly.

Windows shows 59% charged even after hours.......

So I now have to work out if it is the new battery that is at fault, the charger brick,

or the laptop itself....

Why is life never simple?

this is the always the battery, if you wanna be sure you can download the HP battery check here :

http://h20239.www2.hp.com/techcenter/battery/battery_ts.htm

It may be worth calibrating the battery before writing it off as defective (and having the resultant battle with the supplier).

Disable all power management, sleep, screen off and leave the machine running on battery until it shuts down on low battery. Charge as normal.