Changing power socket in laptop

[u751920]

Hi All,
I have an old Packard Bell Easynote M5255 (inherited from the wife) which I use to download files and nothing else. The power supply for it packed up and I am trying to get another one. The problem is, it has an unusual 4 pin socket into the laptop and I am unable to locate a new adaptor. I was just wondering if there are any problems with replacing the power socket on the laptop to a more conventional type? Has anyone ever tried this? Any advice greatly appreciated.
Kind Regards

[rkawakami]

I found this at Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Packard-EasyNot ... B002MMLEEU

Is that the type of plug you are looking for?

edit: There's also this site:
http://www.global-ac-adapter.co.uk/acer ... apter.html

Changing the 4-pin DIN-style plug could be possible but the problems are:

- How does the current socket attach to the rest of the system? If it's soldered or mounted directly to a printed circuit board, then whatever you replace it with needs to match the same layout.
- Assuming a standard "barrel" type socket can be found that matches how the existing socket is mounted, then you have to determine if it has the proper wiring scheme. By this I mean that whatever was a ground pin is still a ground pin and so on.
- What are the extra two pins on the original plug being used for? For straight power, all you need are two pins: + voltage and ground. The other two could be extra ground(s) or signal pin(s). That would have to be matched by whatever power supply you would be using.

[u751920]

Thanks for that quick reply. I bought an adaptor from the amazon seller already but it was poorly made and the tip fell off after 2 days. I might try the other buyer you found didn't see that one. It just seems a lot to pay for an adaptor when other adaptors are about a third of the price. I'll check the details of the other link you sent.
Cheers

I'm not entirely sure what the addtional pins are used for. I have not opened the laptop to check the wiring layout yet - was hoping for a simpler solution, like checking eBay for a second hand one.

[u751920]

Using the information from your second link I found this one:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Acer-19V-7-9A-150 ... 1c1938a9f9

I think I'll give it a go and hope for the best.
cheers

[rkawakami]

Good luck! Just thought of something that you might want to check... if the original AC adapter has a diagram of the pin polarity, see if that matches the Acer supply.

[poshgeordie]

Removed

[u751920]

I've got a feeling that polarity had something to do with it!! The adaptor shall be going back. I think I will give up.