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Toshiba Satellite PC is dead, in Hong Kong

Posted on 07/06/2007 4:35:49 PM PDT by rudy45

My wife is in Hong Kong, and took her Toshiba Satellite R15-S822 notebook computer. It has a power supply that's supposed to be auto-sensing. Therefore, she plugged it directly into an outlet, using only a physical plug adapter, not a converter. Yesterday and the day before, while using it, she felt as though she was being bitten by mosquitoes, that is she felt stinging sensations on the outside of the computer. Just now, however, she has found the computer to be "dead." Whether the battery is in or not, nothing happens when she turns on the switch. Even the "battery charge" light is out.

If anyone can offer suggestions, I would appreciate it. Thanks.


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: computer; electricity; hongkong; power

1 posted on 07/06/2007 4:35:51 PM PDT by rudy45
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To: rudy45

Have her go out and get the proper converter, the concierge might have one. Try the laptop WITH the converter...hope it works. If not, it’s fried I think.


2 posted on 07/06/2007 4:45:52 PM PDT by GRRRRR (The Libtards are spoiling for a big fight!)
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To: rudy45

Travel Advice| Travel Wizards
Electrical Connection Wizard
So far, we’ve determined that:

* Your destination country is China (Hong Kong Region) which uses the 220-250 volt system.

We now need to determine if your appliance is “dual-voltage.” Some appliances are dual-voltage; they are designed to operate on voltage between 100-250 volts without damage to the components. These appliances do not require transformers. Many North American-made appliances, however, are designed to operate only within the 100-125 volt range. These appliances will suffer damage if plugged into 220-250 volts.
To determine the voltage requirements, you’ll need to look at the appliance. Power requirements are usually displayed on the appliance on the back where the cord is attached. Laptops and other equipment that have a detachable cord often have a box in the middle of the cord or a large box at the plug end that displays the input power requirements. If the appliance lists 110, 115, 120 or 125 volts only, it is not dual-voltage. If the appliance lists 100-240 or 110-230 or something similar, it is dual voltage.

Check out this website:

http://dyna.magellans.com/cgi-bin/mitcus/dyna/dynanbwJbI


3 posted on 07/06/2007 4:48:30 PM PDT by GRRRRR (The Libtards are spoiling for a big fight!)
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To: GRRRRR
My opinion : It's fried.
Go down to the China Fleet club and buy a new one. :)
4 posted on 07/06/2007 4:50:54 PM PDT by red-dawg
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To: GRRRRR

Thanks, I checked the specs for this computer. The power supply is auto sensing, 110 to 240 volts. So theoretically it should work in HK without an adapter.

I hope all we need do is replace the power supply.


5 posted on 07/06/2007 4:51:11 PM PDT by rudy45
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To: rudy45

Probably stuned the beeber!


6 posted on 07/06/2007 4:58:53 PM PDT by SWAMPSNIPER (THE SECOND AMENDMENT IS A MATTER OF FACT, NOT A MATTER OF OPINION)
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To: rudy45; Swordmaker

If the power supply was hot (steady +240) or dirty (spiking +240), you might be SOL. A few spikes could burn the auto-sensing, IMHO, leaving the DC side vulnerable to fatal overvolt.

I think you’re shopping for a new one.

Luckily, however, I’ll bet the hard drive is safe—and with it, your data.


7 posted on 07/06/2007 5:02:38 PM PDT by Petronski (Just say no to Rudy McRomney.)
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To: Petronski
Ach!

If the power supply was...

Should be:

If the AC wall power was...

8 posted on 07/06/2007 5:03:47 PM PDT by Petronski (Just say no to Rudy McRomney.)
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To: rudy45

Toshiba sold top secret submarine propeller parts to the Soviet Union, allowing the commies to jump ahead years in the “silence” of their submarines (although still behind us).

I can’t help you, because I have never bought anything from Toshiba and never will.


9 posted on 07/06/2007 5:42:14 PM PDT by Rodney King (No, we can't all just get along.)
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To: rudy45

The power supply is probably fried. I don’t know much about laptops, but PC power supply’s have built in protection circuitry on the low voltage output side of the power supply that will shut it down or clamp it before it can do damage to the rest of the electronics. If this is the case then you need only a new power supply in the laptop.
To avoid this problem then it might be better to use a converter even if it is not required. It would reduce the chances of this happening.


10 posted on 07/06/2007 6:02:18 PM PDT by Revel
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To: rudy45
Kiss the motherboard goodbye. And probably the processor with it. Even if it is a warranty unit, it won't be covered - the term they will use is 'user abuse'. Your worst crime was to buy a Toshiba. Satellites never impressed me, nor did the manufacturer.

(As an aside, my ex-wife owned a Toshiba. Too bad the same thing didn't happen. To her, not the laptop. LOL)


11 posted on 07/06/2007 6:02:31 PM PDT by Viking2002 (Fred in '08. Deal with it.)
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To: rudy45
Just got back from England and Ireland where I used my laptop for the first time outside of the US.The converter "cube" seemed to get quite warm but otherwise it worked fine...and is still working fine since I got home.

Perhaps the power issue isn't the cause of your wife's trouble because I think that HK has the same power voltage as the UK.

12 posted on 07/06/2007 6:33:27 PM PDT by NavySon (Saying we went to Iraq for oil is like saying we went to Vietnam for rice.)
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To: GRRRRR

I know I used both of my Toshiba satellites in Italy which has 240 V.


13 posted on 07/06/2007 7:16:51 PM PDT by Little_shoe ("For Sailor MEN in Battle fair since fighting days of old have earned the right.to the blue and gold)
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To: rudy45

My guess is that the outlet she was using is not properly grounded or wired. If her Satellite uses the case for grounding then that is why she felt the tingle.

Get to a Toshiba dealer and get professional help.

Or find some 14 yo to help her.

************

Company Name: Chevalier iTech Group
Address: 7/F., Chevalier Engineering Service Centre
21, Sheung Yuet Road, Kowloon Bay
City: Hong Kong
Country: HK
Main Phone: (852) 2305 0384
Fax: (852) 2751 7912

Web: http://www.chevalier-itech.com/toshiba

Attributes:

Notebook Repairs
PDA Repairs
International Warranty Repairs


14 posted on 07/06/2007 7:17:29 PM PDT by texas booster (Join FreeRepublic's Folding@Home team (Team # 36120) Cure Alzheimer's!)
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