T40 AC Adapter Death?

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Oblagon · #1 Post by **Oblagon** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:42 pm

I was browsing the web on grid power the other day and suddenly, without warning, an alert sound beeped and the charging icon switched to battery.

Checked the socket, no problems. Reaffixed the AC adapter's connectors -- nothing. No power. Cold.

The Pad itself seemed to be healthy, as long as it was sucking down battery power. There was one "strangeism" when I first tried to shut it off -- it hung, and a little End Task dialog box blossomed saying something about "tphdmgr failed to quit". This looked like gobbledygook to me, so I resorted to physical shut down. Next time through, she turned off normally without hesitation.

I had a minor nightmare wherein "tphdmgr" was some sort of ThinkPad Hardware Manager app I was oblivious of, hacked into and funked around with by a distant overseas meddler. Luckily it's a "brand new" T40 (previously unopened since 2003), so no sensitive data exists to be stolen, etc.

It's just the AC adapter, though, right? That being the case, whereabouts would ya'll recommend I buy my replacement? To each his own? Amazon has an attractive price point, and there's newegg.

Thanks for listening.

Tim M · #2 Post by **Tim M** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:48 pm

Do you have a friend or coworker with a known good AC adapter you can check? You want to make sure it isn't an issue with the motherboard itself.

I like Ike too.

frankiepankie · #3 Post by **frankiepankie** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 2:16 am

Do you have a multimeter to check the voltage coming out your wall socket, and the voltage coming out your adapter.

Wall socket should be 110V AC (you live in the USA right?)
Adapter voltage should be around 16V DC.

#4 Post by **rkawakami** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 3:22 am

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

I'd second the advice for either borrowing a known good IBM adapter (16V 4.5A) or measuring the output of yours with a multimeter. eBay can be a cheap source if you are patient; these 72watt units generally can be had for ~$20 (shipped), if you choose the Buy-it-Now option; a few $$$ less if you are lucky enough to find one being offered as a straight auction. There are "knock-offs" being sold so if you really want a genuine IBM adapter, you have to be careful.

Oblagon · #5 Post by **Oblagon** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 3:49 am

Sensible advice, guys, thanks!

Lacking a multimeter, I'm relying on a replacement adapter soon to ship. Friend of mine came into a ThinkPad "surplus" and said he has a bin full of adapters.

Lucky me, we're hoping. We will see.

Ray, I love San Jose. Tell me you've gone to the Robot exhibit.

#6 Post by **rkawakami** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:11 am

Oblagon wrote:Ray, I love San Jose. Tell me you've gone to the Robot exhibit.

At the MoA? No, I haven't. Actually I hadn't heard about it (that I can remember) until you mentioned it. I had to Google it

.

Oblagon · #7 Post by **Oblagon** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 6:35 am

That very one. If you've ever drooled at the kitbashed futurewar fantasies of Kow Yokoyama, they've got at least six of his actual creations on display. Of particular interest to you and this board, though, are the eerie, twinkling agglomerations inspired by bioluminescent critters of the deep ocean trenches -- built entirely out of custom PC parts (glowing fans, UV-reactive coolant, etc).

Go, go, go.

Oblagon · #8 Post by **Oblagon** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:00 pm

Finally received my adapter replacement (two, actually -- for redundancy's sake!) and she's back in top form.

Thanks for the help, ya'll.

T40 AC Adapter Death?

T40 AC Adapter Death?

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