My laptop charger blew up while in my laptop, laptop still works?

rageagainstessays

Hi guys,
Recently (about 30 mins ago) a plug blew in my home, in this plug was my laptop charger. The laptop charger no longer works, and there is a slight peice of blackening on the insertable end into the laptop. I've ordered a new charger, but the laptop is still functioning perfectly on battery, and I have inspected the inside of the outlet and the battery with a torch and all seems fine.

How likely is it that after this charge runs out, my laptop will be dead?

Moneymaker

What do you mean by "in this plug was my laptop charger."? Was this a UK 3-pin plug? How could anything be in it (apart from the fuse)?

When the laptop battery runs down, it will be dead until you recharge it.

rageagainstessays

Moneymaker wrote: »

What do you mean by "in this plug was my laptop charger."? Was this a UK 3-pin plug? How could anything be in it (apart from the fuse)?

When the laptop battery runs down, it will be dead until you recharge it.

I mean the plug on the laptop charger was inserted into the plug terminal.

By 'dead' I mean will it suffer lasting damage? Ie. Will this charge be its final charge- I mean how likely is it that the laptop's power system will refuse future charges?

Moneymaker

Sorry, I must be thick but I still don't follow. Can you describe these parts more succinctly? A charger normally comprises a power supply (which may be part of a 3-pin "plug top" or in a separate box), a thin cord and a small DC plug. So what, exactly, "blew up" and why? Does it have a model number? Does the laptop have a model number?

rageagainstessays

Moneymaker wrote: »

Sorry, I must be thick but I still don't follow. Can you describe these parts more succinctly? A charger normally comprises a power supply (which may be part of a 3-pin "plug top" or in a separate box), a thin cord and a small DC plug. So what, exactly, "blew up" and why? Does it have a model number? Does the laptop have a model number?

Oh sorry yeah, its an ACER E1-572
So the laptop was plugged into the wall, the wire doesn't work anymore. The DC connection end is now slightly burnt, but the laptop still works fine, although I haven't been able to test the functionality of a charger in the laptop, given that mine is broken.

enfield_freddy

you might be lucky with a new charger , or you might have damaged the charging circuit in the laptop.


only way to tell , is by trying a new charger

Moneymaker

Moneymaker wrote: »

? A charger normally comprises a power supply (which may be part of a 3-pin "plug top" or in a separate box), a thin cord and a small DC plug. So what, exactly, "blew up" and why? Does it have a model number?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I'm about to give up in frustration.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-ORIGINAL-Acer-Aspire-Laptop-AC-Adapter-Charger-UK-Power-Lead-Fast-Post-/251487759747?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item3a8dd6ad83

Strider590

^^

It's not a "charger"

Laptops are not intended to be used on your lap, the term is a marketing buzzword used to describe portable computers (just as "dongle" is wrongly used for any small USB device).
They are not meant to be used on your lap or on soft uneven surfaces.

The power supply (PSU) is mean't to be connected in it's "normal state", the battery is purely to allow movement from location to location without losing work OR when its impossible to get mains power.

When used incorrectly, if overheating doesn't kill them, then usually it's the power jack.

The OP has most likely damaged the power supply jack connector in the back of the laptop (VERY common), which has in turn caused a short circuit, which has in turn blown the PSU.
Often this is caused by using the laptop on soft surfaces, or by putting the laptop down so that the power jack hit's the ground first.

If the jack connector is damaged/loose, this will require stripping down and replacing. If the laptop is just some cheap consumer grade unit, then this will be a very difficult task, as they are not meant to be repairable. There are also likely to be surface mounted diodes and fuses, which blow when a fault occurs, these are not intended to be service items.

agrinnall

Strider, I won't say that you're wrong, but I do think you're exaggerating the likelihood of damage on the laptop. I have had 3 "chargers" fail/blow up over the years and none of them have been caused by any damage at the jack - I'm typing this (on my lap) on a laptop where a change of "charger" got it working again after a few days worrying that it was fatally wounded.

Strider590

agrinnall wrote: »

Strider, I won't say that you're wrong, but I do think you're exaggerating the likelihood of damage on the laptop. I have had 3 "chargers" fail/blow up over the years and none of them have been caused by any damage at the jack - I'm typing this (on my lap) on a laptop where a change of "charger" got it working again after a few days worrying that it was fatally wounded.

I'm merely pointing out that despite what the salesmen may tell you (because of course, giving you the correct advise is SO in their interest), a laptop is not meant to be used in the manner that most people seem to use them.

The OP has described burning to the connector, which almost certainly suggests physical damage.

rageagainstessays

Thanks for all of the responses. After considerable delay, the 'charger' arrived to the laptop and all was fine. No damage to the laptop, battery is also operational and the charger is slightly loose, but that's only because its marginally different to the one initially supplied with the Unit.