Travelmate 8104 Battery/Power Dying Horribly

So as my laptop is approaching nigh-unusable and Acer still hasn't responded to my service inquiry, it occurs to me to ask here...

My TM8104 (approaching 18 months old) started getting really confused about whether it was plugged in a couple of weeks ago. It would dim the screen and cut CPU power and then turn everything back to max and then cut the power and then max the power and so on for a couple of minutes after being powered on, usually settling for a fully-bright screen and low CPU power. Disconcerting, but just turn the CPU power up.

Well last night it not only resumed this obnoxious behavior after a couple of hours of stability but, after getting fed up with the thing and shutting it down, there was a very distinct and particularly evil ongoing whine from the laptop when the battery was charging -- you know, the sort that some adapters make when they've got a couple of flakey bits in them. Only worse.

I fully suspect that something -- either the cheesy little power adapter that runs way too hot or the battery which I haven't seen given me any distinct problems in its life but whas whining something awful -- needs replaced, but I'm not quite sure what part needs replaced, nor am I certain how to get "official" parts to replace whatever it is based on Acer's "oh just email us and we'll get back to you... someday" web site.

Anybody got "my laptop is dying in a power-related kind of way" advice that they can pass on to me?

Thanks Much
::K

 

Never email Acer. Always call them. they're email tech support is, to say the least, ****. I got 2 of the same emails to 2 different questions: go to Acer's website. I got fed up and called them. They did better on the phone.

 

Depending on your warrenty situation could be a number of approaches.

Not to be alarmist, but it sounds to me like perhaps the power connection to the motherboard is going, in which case, it's new motherboard time (which if you are under warrenty is fine, if not, it's **** expensive). If not under warrenty, perhaps opening it up and trying to check around where the power socket is soldered to the motherboard and check that it appears okay.

Unfortunately other than that you could try replacing the power supply (since that sounds like it's been something of a problem anyway) and/or the battery and see if that fixes it, but at the end of the day no guarantee's.

Alternatively if you can find a friend who has the same make/model or a compatible power supply you might be able to approach it that way (not sure if any stores would let you do a test or two).

 

or try checking the adapter, if it is damage it would limit the power getting to the computer, i just go a new power adapter from acer and it cost $16 including shipping if that is all that it is, cheap fix! if not well like suggested above open it up see what you can see in there?

look melted part aroud mother board. if you need to get a new motherboard it is more benifital\cheaper to buy a new compoter

 

Anybody got a link to an Acer support phone number for the US? All I've seen are email forms and a physical address. Other than that, sounds like it's time to get the screwdriver out and have a conversation with my notebook that I was hoping to never have with a computer ever again. Thanks!

Update: Tech support emailed me back (from my inquiry a few days ago) with a phone number to set up something with a repair depot. Hope for the best, starting to expect the worst...

Update #2: First tech support call was delightful and reasonably knowledgeable about how the laptop should work and how to run some tests. Took about 10 minutes on hold to get to him. Had to go poke the brick with a Voltometer (or something -- I borrowed my brother for that bit) to determine whether we were looking at a $20 or $400+ problem. Brick looks dead; I'm happy. Second call to support to order a new brick waits on hold for 35 minutes and then is told that I might be charged for speaking to a human. By this time, I've found a vendor that will sell me a new brick for $60 (with huge S&H), so I give up on the call but do not order the overpriced brick. Third call had another 30 minutes on hold before getting to a sleepy-sounding but adequately professional rep who sold me a new brick with outlandishly high S&H charges. Not his fault, but dang, what's S&H coming to these days? Net result is that Acer's got good enough support, but actually getting to them is difficult. Should know if a brick meltdown was the problem next Tuesday if all goes well.

::K (does not relish the thought of a dead machine while trying to pay off thesis year tuition bills)

 

The new brick -- arrived exactly on time today -- is a "Delta Electronics Inc" brick which is only subtly different from the LiteOn brick it was replacing. Key difference is that the Delta brick seems to be powering my Acer just fine, while the LiteOn (which seemed cheesy from day 1) appears to be dead as a proverbial doornail.

My laptop was a bit slow and groggy waking up, but it came up and acquired the power source and is now happy which makes me delighted. Not the best repair/replace scenario I've experienced, but good enough to keep Acer on my list of (relatively) trustworthy brands.

::K (would be bouncing about with joy, but the laptop is in his lap and he caught a mild cold over the weekend.)