Think I broke my power supply

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ckelley116

Honorable
Aug 21, 2013
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10,510
I have a Gateway laptop (can't get the model number right now - it's at home, but can get it later if necessary). I had it plugged in and charging yesterday and tripped over the power cable. I was barefoot and it got caught between my toes, and as I was trying to shake free and not fall over and break my neck the cable got yanked. It didn't disconnect from the wall OR the laptop, so I figured all was good and went about my business (after cleaning up the water I spilled while doing my little dance).

Not long after, my laptop started to make the "battery is about to die" beeping noises. A popup on the screen said my battery life was low and I should plug into a power supply to keep working. Well, I was plugged in. So I checked the length of the cable - everything was connected. Firmly. None of the connectors looked damaged. I had no trouble removing and replacing the cable in the back of the laptop. I didn't spill much water, but checked anyway and the cable was pretty much dry except for a few droplets along the length of the cord - not near any of the connectors or electrical components. There was no water on the laptop at all.

Does it sound like I did irreparable damage? I don't mind the thought of a new laptop, though I wanted to get one on MY schedule, not that of a temperamental power supply. I figure the cable won't be too expensive to replace but if the damage is internal (battery area) it could be worse on my wallet.

Any thoughts?
 
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You can test the power supply by simply taking a multimeter/volt meter and set it 20v dc, put the red end inside the plug, and touch the black end to the metal on the outside. You may have to move the red lead around but you should see voltage on the meter (make sure not to tuch the metal of the leads or the plug (it wont shock you are anything, but your body will cause bad test results). Now make sure voltage you read is < 1 volt difference to what your power supply says its output dc voltage is.

If the power supply is the culpruit do not buy a cheap power supply that says "replacement" on it and do not buy a "universal" one. I have seen many laptops fried due to expensive "universal" power supplies and many more destroyed due to...
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ronintexas

ronintexas

Judicious
Dec 10, 2012
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The most likely "breaking points" are where there are connectors. First place to check would be where the power supply plugs into the laptop, then any of the connectors along the route of the power supply. The easiest way to check is with a spare power supply (if you have a spare), if not, at a BestBuy store - they should have a Geek Squad that can plug in their power supply and tell you quickly if it is the laptop or power supply.

From experience - my bet is on the connector on the motherboard....
 
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boosted1g

Titan
Jun 12, 2013
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More likley you damaged the jack inside the laptop.

Since i dont know the model number I cant tell you much more then that.
Some DC jacks are soldered into the board and have to be replaced, some have a removable part that can be ordered and replaced, and some of them you will have massive difficulty finding parts for.
 
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boosted1g

Titan
Jun 12, 2013
14,846
8
74,965
You can test the power supply by simply taking a multimeter/volt meter and set it 20v dc, put the red end inside the plug, and touch the black end to the metal on the outside. You may have to move the red lead around but you should see voltage on the meter (make sure not to tuch the metal of the leads or the plug (it wont shock you are anything, but your body will cause bad test results). Now make sure voltage you read is < 1 volt difference to what your power supply says its output dc voltage is.

If the power supply is the culpruit do not buy a cheap power supply that says "replacement" on it and do not buy a "universal" one. I have seen many laptops fried due to expensive "universal" power supplies and many more destroyed due to $15 cheapo power adapters. The only power supply I trust is the one made by the OEM (or the company that made it for the OEM). The cheap "replacement" brand ones just want your $15 and dont care what happens after that. The universal ones try to make it maximum compaitibility so its volt and amp output is not what your specific laptop needs but what the average is for many laptops.

Now that does not mean you need to go to gateway and pay $150 from them, you can find most OEM power supplies on Amazon for $20-25 you just have to look a little more.
 
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