External power jack - A31

[jrv331]

Instead of using the power plug on the back of the computer is it possible to hook up an exterior plug that will both power on the machine and charge the battery? I saw an article on this for a toshiba computer and thought it might solve my problem.
Thanks
John

[rkawakami]

Sorry, but I don't understand what problem you are trying to solve. The DC input jack on the back of the A31 already powers the system and charges the battery. If you are talking about bypassing the DC jack because it is thought to be defective, then yes, it's probably possible to wire in a separate jack. However, you can use the laptop's docking port connector to do the same thing for almost no cost and certainly without having to tear the system apart. Get yourself a 02K8668 port replicator. Plug the A31 into it and then connect the DC power plug to the back of the port rep. The power is routed into the laptop via the docking port connector on the bottom.

[jrv331]

Heres why Im asking, I posted a question about an issue Im having with one of my A31's, basically my computer shuts down if I remove the ac adapter and it now longer seems to charge the battery either on or off. Im also getting a 0190 battery error if I try to start with no/ or a dead battery.

From all the info I can find this appears to be a MB issue - so I was looking at atleast being able to charge the battery when on ac with a seperate ac port. Will a docking station solve any of my problems?
Thanks
John

[rkawakami]

Ah, I see.... I searched your previous posts and found the thread you were referring to. It appears that the charging circuit on the motherboard may not be working correctly. If the batteries in question work fine or allow your other system(s) to boot, then logic says the problem is contained within your slowly-dying A31. Routing power through the docking port (or any other means) will probably not help in that case.

If you are still looking for a work-around, then possibly an external battery charger might solve your problem. FRU 02K6718, Marketing part number 02K6719, can charge a battery (actually two batteries) outside of the laptop using the standard AC adapter.

[jrv331]

Thanks, you hit the nail on the head with the dying A31 statement. Just trying to find low cost solutions to my problem, Ill check the charger out.
Thanks
John

[jrv331]

I wound up finding the charger on Ebay, thanks for the help. I do have a semi working third A31 and Id like to explore the option of adding the external charger plug. Cant find any info on that though - the HMM doesn't give any specs. Any ideas where this would be connected. Figured there have to be other that could benefit from this as well.

Thanks
John