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Thread ID: 58718 2005-06-10 00:30:00 Notebook mains power supply compatibility Greg (193) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
362566 2005-06-10 00:30:00 My brother's brought around his (two year old) Compaq notebook which needs re-formatting, but the battery died before finishing the job and he didn't bring the mains AC power thingy.

Can I use the one from my notebook to power his? I'm afraid I might fry his in some way.

I've got a fairly new Asus notebook PC.

Thanks for any help!
Greg (193)
362567 2005-06-10 00:43:00 You would need to check the voltage, I think ASUS is 19volt.

Hopefully you will find it printed next to the plug on the notebook.
Rob99 (151)
362568 2005-06-10 01:04:00 Ah thx Rob. I really didn't have a clue as to what info to provide. I'm absolutely hopeless when it comes to electricity!

I checked the back of both and read the following:

Compac
input rating:
18.5v DC
4.9A

Asus
input: +19v
7.1A, 135 W
Greg (193)
362569 2005-06-10 02:27:00 Looks OK. As long as the plug actually fits, its within 0.5v so its fine voltage wise, and its got plenty of capacity (7.1 amps, it needs to supply only 4.9 of them) so it will not be struggling.

As far as I am aware there should be no polarity issues, all laptops I have seen are centre pin positive.
godfather (25)
362570 2005-06-10 02:41:00 Ta GF - was kinda hoping you'd reply.

I'm going to try it now, but all claims for damage/repair will be hitting on you!

(kidding)
Greg (193)
362571 2005-06-10 02:55:00 The only problem I can see is the difference between 2.1 mm and 2.5 mm DC connectors. If the PSU has a 2.1 and the computer 2.5 they won't connect withour an adaptor. If the other way round, they will connect, but make sure the DC cable is weighted down so it can't make an intermittent connection if it's bumped. (The sockets have a spring outer contact which pushes the plug "sideways" so you get a connection to the smaller inner, but it isn't perfect.) Graham L (2)
362572 2005-06-10 03:14:00 The only problem I can see is the difference between 2.1 mm and 2.5 mm DC connectors.

Bah. thx Graham - the socket vs plug doesn't fit.

So I'll just wait for bro to bring around his own power adaptor.

Thank you all for the advice.
Greg (193)
362573 2005-06-10 03:25:00 The Dick Smith P6598 adapter costs $3 if a DSE shop is close and there's any urgency. Graham L (2)
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