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If PA-6 was PA-9...

ONLY NICE THINGS

15:01 / 24.05.04

OK, geek nostalgia question. While her laptop is in the shop, a friend of mine is borrowing my crappy old Latitude CPx to use in effect as a typewriter. I am currently using the PA-6 power adaptor, but am finding that it is prone to switching itself off, making an eagle eye a prerequisite of successful power management. I have notice that sititng unused in the office is a PA-9 adaptor, with a higher wattage output (90 rather than 70, I think). Now, part of my is thinking that the PA-6's frequent shutdowns may be because the adaptor cannot cope with charging and powering the laptop simultaneously, which would be ameloriated by the half-inching of the PA-9.

However, I also don't want aforementioned chum's house to be burned to the ground by an exploding battery.

So, sever time limit geek pop quiz: can one safely charge P/N 1691P Li-ion battery with a PA-9 adaptor? I feel the answer to this question is the final step to all chicks digging me.

Mazarine

15:55 / 24.05.04

I destroyed a laptop once by charging it with a power cord designed for an older model- not instantly mind, but over the course of months. All components involved got extremely toasty and were doubtless a firehazard. I suspect that older models required more power than the newer models, so it might be safe to charge an older model with a newer model's adapter, but I'd advise against it all around.

Linus Dunce

17:02 / 24.05.04

I *think* the laptop will be kind of OK with that charger ...

I would say though that your initial diagnosis is incorrect and that the machine powers down for reasons other than lack of backbone and moral fibre on the part of the original charger. You could *try* cleaning the shiny metal bits on the computer and the battery with a pencil eraser if you can get to them (that worked on an old phone I once had) but I'm afraid you are looking at a visit to the mender's and is it worth it?

ONLY NICE THINGS

20:08 / 24.05.04

No.. ultimately it isn't. This thing is an antique - P3 500 Latitude CPx, 6GB HDD, 64MB RAM. As I say, it's a typewriter at best, and I think the batteries are dying anyway, so not a very mobile one. She's just using it while hers is in the shop, and I bought a shiny new one my difficult relationship with which is detailed elsewhere. If I can get her to junk it for me afterwards, I'm probably ahead of the game.

Linus Dunce

21:19 / 24.05.04

Well, given that it doesn't take up too much houseroom, I'd hang onto it for a bit, maybe make it into a server or something, but that's just me. Apart from the RAM, it beats the thing I'm banging away on right now. Mind you, this will do the Kessell Run in less than 12 parsecs. And run Photoshop Seven. But not at the same time you understand.

Lord Morgue

08:33 / 26.05.04

But can you construct a mnemonic memory circuit using stone-knives and bear-skins? Eh, I can't talk- I still have my Dad's old Amstrad CPC464 and MC-10. 4K! With expansion packs, 6K! Then you can play lunar lander.

pointless and uncalled for

09:25 / 26.05.04

Off-topic, the final step to all chicks digging you is when you can accurately answer the question "What do you think you've been up to?"

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