Arch Linux

rubend

Member

Registered: 2008-04-20

Posts: 47

[SOLVED]fujitsu laptop, power cord problem

Hey all,

I like arch linux but I have one major problem with my laptop. My laptop is a
fujitsu siemens amilo A. I just bought a new battery that works ok (lasts for +/- 2 hours)
Now the problem is that when I plug in the power adapter (a targus universal power adapter the original one died)
it recognizes it and the battery charges while arch linux boots. then after starting x and using the laptop for ten or so minutes suddenly the battery monitor(s) show that my battery is discharging (power adapter unplugged) while the power adapter is still connected !! After a short period of time my laptop starts beeping and when I don't shutdown myself it just dies.

The funny thing is when i don't start my laptop the light (that blinks when the battery is charging or is charged) keeps working all the time. This must mean the connection between the power adapter and laptop is good.

plz help

ps: i tried installing and uninstalling different kinds of software. I followed the beginners guide for installing arch linux and installed acpid & laptop-mode which I uninstalled a couple of hours ago to test if this might be the problem.

Last edited by rubend (2008-06-20 12:53:27)

rubend

Member

Registered: 2008-04-20

Posts: 47

Re: [SOLVED]fujitsu laptop, power cord problem

so I fixed it. (Using some of my knowledge from my courses at university ) My laptop needed 70 watts (=V*I) my universal power adapter said on the box 70 watts but it is only 65 when connected to the net. The problem was when my laptop was demanding to much power the power adapter turned of because of the built-in safety switch. This means that everytime I did something "heavy" on my laptop the power adapter would shut off and it'll stop (re)charging. So what have I done to fix it? I haven't bought an official fujitsu poweradapter (115 euros are you f*ing kidding me ???). I bought a universal trust notebook power adapter allowing up to 120 watts and it works perfectly.

Man was that a relief, I really thought the problem was arch (because my parents bought the power adapter ages ago when my mum used the laptop everyday). My dad (the mac freak) said the problem was linux.

So if you have a similiar problem and everytime you think about buying a universal adapter do this:
look at the back of your laptop normally it saiys something like 19Volts 3.9Ampère.(these were the numbers on mine)Then just do P=19*3.9=V*I is the power that your laptop will need maximum. Then look at universal adapters with P or more maximum watts. Read the fine print (like on my adapter it said something else than on the box). And be sure the amount of volts is supported by the power adapter.

Anyway have a nice day,
Ruben