[tlug] [OT] toshiba laptop with no power; find the culprit...

[Evan Monroig <evan.monroig@example.com>]

Tlug,

This is more a hardware issue than a Linux issue, but I hope that I am
not too off-topic (of course the only installed operating system on
that laptop is Linux...).

I have an old Toshiba laptop (a Pentium M 1500) whose AC adapter any
more.  As a result, I cannot use it any more but I have backed up all
the data while battery life remains.  I would like to diagnose the
problem before I go to a repair shop in Akihabara to buy a replacement
AC adapter or a new battery.

The symptoms are as follows: with the battery, I can turn on the
computer and use it (well, I could but the battery is now completely
discharged).  When I plug in the AC adapter, the small light that used
to be on to indicate AC power does not turn on, the battery does not
charge, and the computer cannot be turned on (it could while there was
some battery life but the power came from the battery).

A side note: with this computer, I already changed the AC adapter
once: the original one had stopped working because of overheating.
The new one has a higher maximum output intensity (5A instead of 4A,
both having an output tension of 15V).

Do you have an idea of the possible source of the problem?  The
possibilities that I can think of are:
- the AC adapter
- the battery
- something in between (what?)

Do you know of any place or shop in Tokyo where I could go and have
someone diagnose the problem and tell me (or sell me) what I need to
change?  I guess that going directly to Toshiba would do but since the
laptop is out of warranty and I cannot wait too much...

Thanks in advance,

Evan