3700 Series

Hi. I found this notebook one day going through some old boxes, and I was wondering what kind of AC plug works for it? I tried hooking up other AC plugs to it but it wont start to charge? Do you think the battery is dead or if it requires the specific plug it originally came with? Seems like a good laptop for basic stuff, Email, old games, etc.

 

MebbWebb:

My experience was that the older Averatecs (rebranded MSI and Twinhead clones) like the 3700 series all used the same AC adapter, or that at least the adapter for the old Averatec 3150 would work on the 3700 series, and the still newer adapter for the 2370 would work on the 3700 series, and so on. Therefore, any older adapter would probably work, assuming it was designed for older Averatec models of a few years back. It may take hours for a battery to come back to life, as I've sometimes seen, but if yours doesn't take a charge after being plugged in overnight, the battery is probably a goner. While not universal, there's a lot of commonality between AC adapters, so if it will physically fit and draw enough current, it will probably work -- or should work if the battery can be brought back from the dead.

David Reed

 

There should be a label on the bottom of the computer or next to the power socket which shows the voltage, current and the plug polarity (normally a + against the middle.

Then it's a matter of finding a power supply with the same voltage, current and polarity (should be given on a label on the bottom) and a plug that fits into the socket on the computer. It doesn't matter if the current of the power supply is more than what the computer needs (the computer will only draw the power it wants) but the voltage should match give or take 0.5V.

John

 

I've got a 3715eh. The adapter model number is Lite On PA-1650-01. You can find lots of equivalents online by searching google, maybe even an original on eBay if you look hard enough.
It has a 19v output rated at 65watts. A universal with the right plug will work just as well.

 

I have a 3250 that is still humming along. These older Averatecs were famous for having problems with the AC adapter port. If one wasn't careful plugging and unplugging, the solder joints on the daughter board cracked. That might be why you found this computer in a box. As stated above, the adapter is 19 volts and 65 watts. When you plug it in, you should see a blinking green charging light on the front edge of the laptop. If not, I suspect the port is damaged. If you sniff around Google, you should find several forums talking about this specific problem. There are replacement AC ports available on eBay if you are handy with a soldering iron and know how to disassemble the laptop.
Otherwise, it's not worth repairing as these old Averatechs are limited to 1 GIG of memory and aren't upgradable beyond XP. Batteries can also be found on eBay, but I'd hate to see you put $100 or so into an AC adapter and a new battery only to find you have a cracked solder connection on the daughter board. Have a good look around the port. If the plastic appears slightly melted or distorted that is evidence of heat and you can be assured that it is a damaged port.