Laptop Power Supply going? Burning/electric smell, etc

[dxkj]

My laptop randomly says "plug into a power source because your battery is getting low"

And then i smell a burning electric smell sometimes. But then its fine again.


Is my diagnosis that the power supply is going bad an accurate one? And if so, is it possible to replace a PS or whatever the equivalent in a laptop is?

 

[HappyPuppy]

Are you talking about the AC/DC converter or the actual laptop? Have you stuck your nose down close to find out where the burning smell is coming from?

 

[dxkj]

Im not really sure, its kinda acrid and overpowering after a few seconds. I think its coming from inside the laptop.

 

[dnuggett]

What brand/model laptop is this?

I'm guessing you have an issue with the ACP switch, the system board, or a power inverter.

 

[dxkj]

Compaq presario 1214sr
850mhz duron
192mb Sdram
20gb hdd
8x cdrw



good little second machine, hoping it doesnt ditch on me all of a sudden.



This laptop also gets like 100-120 degrees to the touch on the bottom after a while of running as well. Been considering taking it apart, cleaning it, and making sure everything is in working order. But since ive never taken apart a laptop (just several hundred desktops) Im worried about botching it up somehow

 

[dnuggett]

I would be careful on taking that machine apart, especially if you havent' sen it done yet. If you do keep notes of where everything goes and take your time with it. The Compaq's of this era were notorious for having issues with the power supplies and inverters.

 

[jschuk]

Also check the solder connections around the DC-IN jack. When they develop cracks in the solder, they will arc which can create that burning smell. If that is the case, just reheat the solder to fix the connection and sometimes you may have to add a little solder.