Strange noises from CF-19 Power adapter!!!

The power adapter for my CF-19 MK5 is screaming like a failing/wailing hard drive... I thought my platter bearings were taking a poo in fact. But quickly realized all the noise was actually coming from the power adapter! The odd thing is, it is like a microphone of sorts. Its noises match what the computer is doing.

So is this something I should be concerned with? Other than the noise is about as pleasant as fingernails on a chalkboard, is it likely to cause damage to the Toughbook? Or, is it even the power adapter? Could a bad diode (or the like) on the power board be letting feedback get to the power adapter?

If I do need a power adapter, what specs am I after for the MK5? I have a power adapter for my MK1 that won't even power the MK5 up. It is pretty easy to find genuine adapters on eBay, but not by what MK version the laptop is.

 

Replace the power supply...

According to the mk5 spec sheet.
AC Adapter: Input: 100 ~ 240V AC, 50Hz/60Hz; Output: 16V DC, 5A
The official part number is-- CF-AA6503A

I personally use 7.5A IBM units. Overkill is good.
I think I have an extra one here. PM me...

 

Lol I do need a new one for sure! I discovered that if I charge the computer while off, it doesn't scream... Still, a bit leery to use it at all. It does work well to power up my lipo battery charger. Odd.

Anyways, I just took out the HDD with a nasty drop. So I probably bought myself a little time to get a new adapter. Shawn, tossing you a PM lol!

 

Well shuffling around stuff trying to deal with a car problem, it is never one simple issue at a time it seems, I plugged that power adapter into my MK1. And it actually is sitting here powering it without any noise or apparent problems.

So I looked closer at it. It is only a 2.5a output. Genuine Panasonic, but must have been meant for something else? I have a suspicion that the HDD was ALREADY failing and pulling more power out, causing the feedback noise. The noise was directly related to the HDD operation.

Whatever the case, it does seem to be safely powering up the MK1. I am a bit worried, but also needing to spend funds on a new HDD for the MK5, and then the car that I am trying to fix, is even hungrier for my spare change. And anything else that is in my bank account...

I have another brick with a bad plug. I will try and get that repaired shortly and see where I stand.

 

That is the correct adapter for the Mk1.