May 01, 2007
OffLine for a WEEK!
It's not that I don't know any better, but it seems that I'm still male, just as the last time.
This time I was experiencing charging problems with the laptop. Has a bit of crud in the power connector causing a resistive connection. Rather than repair or replace immmediately I keep using it. Power is as easy as P=IE . . . power = current times voltage, current = voltage divided by resistance and thus power also equals voltage squared divided by resistance. *ANY* resistance associated with a current flow, such as crud in a power jack, will result in a power lose that will show up as heat. As the condition worsens the resistance increases and the power loss increases and the heat increases and the plastic supporting the jack sort of softens so when you get the new power pack, pull the old plug out and shove new one in it simply shoves the center pin in and you can no longer connect your AC adapter to the laptop.
A little Googling found a fairly local place the does power jack replacements fairly reasonably: 
Had a trouble ticket left over from Friday, so I went into work Monday, was told that John was taking time off starting Wednesday, so I took today off to go get my laptop fixed. (Boss: "What if I don't allow it?" Me: "I'll still take off.") BONUS -- Today is May 1st and they are protesting that we don't give enough favors and perks and rights to lawbreakers. They are boycotting -- staying home and/or gathering for protests. WE get to enjoy a day with freeways mostly free of trucks and '80's vintage cars being driven in third world style. Left the house at 9 am, hit the L.A. Freeways and hardly ever dropped below 60 mph -- mostly doing 65-70 with a few bursts to 80. MUCH nicer than a usual weekday with clogs and slowdowns that mean you average about 40 with rare bursts to 60. Find the Brick and Mortar associated with the website -- a mini-mall storefront. You shouldn't judge a book by it's cover -- or a business establishment by it's size/location. The owner takes my laptop and cell phone number. I go get coffee and a donut and a newspaper. Hadn't finished the paper when he called saying the repair was done -- well under an hour. Repaired, cleaned, six month warranty on the work. At $89 flat rate he's nearly working for slave wages. I'm not complaining -- I have any trouble with a monitor / laptop he'll be the first and likely last place I'll call.