Laptop computer problem (charging)

[tahoe2]

This has to do with computers, and not gaming at all.


In the past 6 months, i have gone through 3 chargers. All of them have gone out and stopped plugging in. I always unplug when the computer is not in use and only use the computer 2 hours a day at most. For some reason, the chargers get really hot too. I have plugged them in to many different outlets.

Would you say i'm unlucky and just need a new charger, the sockets in my house are destroying or them, or there's a problem with the battery on my computer.

1) Already went to Best Buy's Geek Squad, and I must say, they are idiots. (no offense in case someone here works there)

2) Went to toshiba support and there are no recalls or anything else on the site regarding my model.

3) I didnt do anything stupid like drop my computer or spill soda on it.

Just seeing what people here think, before i wait for an assload of time on the phone talking to customer support.

[Hobie-wan]

Unless there's a known issue with that model laptop, calling tech support will probably be useless. I'm not trying to crap on their techs, but this is one of those really odd problems that you need to see in person. Like if your car makes a noise and you take it to the shop and they can't hear the noise.

That being said, every laptop I've ever used had a brick that got pretty warm while in use. Is the plug in the Laptop loose? Maybe it it making a bad connection the the power brick is struggling to send power through a spot that's barely touching metal to metal? Is the battery holding a charge? Is the laptop itself running hot with the fans whining at full speed all of the time?

[tahoe2]

Unless there's a known issue with that model laptop, calling tech support will probably be useless. I'm not trying to crap on their techs, but this is one of those really odd problems that you need to see in person. Like if your car makes a noise and you take it to the shop and they can't hear the noise.

That being said, every laptop I've ever used had a brick that got pretty warm while in use. Is the plug in the Laptop loose? Maybe it it making a bad connection the the power brick is struggling to send power through a spot that's barely touching metal to metal? Is the battery holding a charge? Is the laptop itself running hot with the fans whining at full speed all of the time?

The plug, when plugged in, is very sturdy. So i'm pretty sure it's not loose. The battery holds a charge, and when i turn the computer on it will run normally. I feel like maybe on the inside the little metal pole that goes in to the plug may be loose. I dont want to stick anything in there to check though. when i take it to best buy, they say its something wrong with the chargers, but i've bought 3 toshiba brand chargers and they all stopped working. It's not like i had each for a year. The most reason one i had died in about a month. I got it after i joined this forum, and it died about 3 weeks ago.

And it doesnt get warm, it gets FIREY hot. It could give you a burn it gets so hot. That happened to them all.

[Hobie-wan]

Yeah, I meant the ones I'd used got pretty toasty too. Were all he chargers purchased from the same store? Maybe you've been really unlucky and keep buying from a bad batch? They're lasting less than 90 days so surely they're still under warranty. As for checking if the center pole of the plug is loose, have the machine shut down, then use something non conductive like a toothpick to carefully nudge it and see if it it loose.

[Gooseberrysoda]

Honestly, when my laptop stopped charging, I ripped out the disk drive and now it works like a charm.

[CRTGAMER]

How old is the battery? All batteries eventually wear out. Your charger should still be able to power up the computer though.

Silly question gotta ask, maybe the wider polarized end plugged wrong in the house socket?
If the pin plug at computer maybe not fitting right, a bent pin or side catch contact inside laptop?

[CRTGAMER]

And it doesnt get warm, it gets FIREY hot. It could give you a burn it gets so hot. That happened to them all.

Definitely not right, don't believe polarity on charger pin backwards or would not run or charge. Be sure replacement charger is the correct Volt and especially AMP rating for your laptop. Don't trust the Sales guy, google it yourself with the model number. Post your model number/make here, so we can help better to troubleshoot. If battery more then two years of heavy use could be worn, how long does it hold a running charge?

[Niode]

Regarding the heat of the power pack, my MBP power supply gets seriously hot. Like hot to touch, but it gets painful if you hold your hand on it for long enough, like touching a radiator. I've never had an issue with it. It's the nature of the device. Try and keep it in a cool place if possible, heat is always bad for electronics and will cause it to wear out quicker but the difference will be negligible, unless there is something seriously wrong with it.

[tahoe2]

Regarding the heat of the power pack, my MBP power supply gets seriously hot. Like hot to touch, but it gets painful if you hold your hand on it for long enough, like touching a radiator. I've never had an issue with it. It's the nature of the device. Try and keep it in a cool place if possible, heat is always bad for electronics and will cause it to wear out quicker but the difference will be negligible, unless there is something seriously wrong with it.

The hotness was just a little extra bit that never bothered me when it worked.

I bought the computer in 2008. 2 actually. My brothers works perfectly with the original charger. And I know that the chargers were right amps and volts because its the toshiba brand that i phoned in to buy. They are the exact model made for my exact computer. I tried the toothpick thing and it didn't seem to budge at all.

Would you suggest selling this computer used on ebay, or calling toshiba and demanding a replacement (my dads goot at that kind of stuff).

Even with charger warrenty (computer warranty is over) i have to keep paying like 20 dollar shipping and it's pretty annoying.

[CRTGAMER]

Regarding the heat of the power pack, my MBP power supply gets seriously hot. Like hot to touch, but it gets painful if you hold your hand on it for long enough, like touching a radiator. I've never had an issue with it. It's the nature of the device. Try and keep it in a cool place if possible, heat is always bad for electronics and will cause it to wear out quicker but the difference will be negligible, unless there is something seriously wrong with it.

The hotness was just a little extra bit that never bothered me when it worked.

I bought the computer in 2008. 2 actually. My brothers works perfectly with the original charger. And I know that the chargers were right amps and volts because its the toshiba brand that i phoned in to buy. They are the exact model made for my exact computer. I tried the toothpick thing and it didn't seem to budge at all.

Would you suggest selling this computer used on ebay, or calling toshiba and demanding a replacement (my dads goot at that kind of stuff).

Even with charger warrenty (computer warranty is over) i have to keep paying like 20 dollar shipping and it's pretty annoying.

I think you would end up getting a negative as a seller and having to refund with all the problems of transformers. As a buyer, I would never buy a used portable anything, limited cycle battery usually first to go. You could scream at Toshiba, well tactfully may give better results.

The computer is not that old. When the charger does work, how long a run time on the battery? Again what is the model number? May help us to troubleshoot.