Generic (Non-Proprietary) Powercord Recommendations?

[WWGD]

Hi all,
I have an ailing powercord in my PC (HP15, Win8.1 64-bit). Last I checked, powercords were proprietary, i.e., designed specifically for a given brand, if not brand model). Does anyone know of non-proprietary cords that may work for my PC?
EDIT: I would also like to know where the problem is: is the cord damaged or is the issue with my PC? Other than the obvious idea of trying other power cord (that is not an option at the moment) what can I do to determine where the problem is?
Thanks.

 

[Drakkith]

Power cables? Like the cable that runs from the wall outlet to the power supply in your PC? I've never had a proprietary power cable. As far as I know just about any power cable out of the surplus bin at your local computer parts store should work.

 

[Drakkith]

Wait, after looking up the HP15 it looks like it's a laptop. That's a bit different. Those might be proprietary. I know the power cable for my old laptop won't fit in my new laptop, as I tried it recently.

 

[WWGD]

Power cables? Like the cable that runs from the wall outlet to the power supply in your PC? I've never had a proprietary power cable. As far as I know just about any power cable out of the surplus bin at your local computer parts store should work.

Thanks, but there is a circular input node for the power cable and it may not fit the diameter of just any power cable.

 

[berkeman]

They look to be fairly inexpensive to replace:

https://www.google.com/search?site=...img..0.11.481...0j0i30k1j0i8i30k1.f5TP5o-a-k8

Have you measured the DC output with a DVM? How do you know it's bad?

 

[jtbell]

there is a circular input node for the power cable and it may not fit the diameter of just any power cable.

Does the power cable also have a transformer ("wall wart") that actually plugs into the wall outlet?

 

[Vanadium 50]

This is a power supply, not a power cable. It turns AC into DC, and is specific to the laptop. Neither the laptop's voltage nor connector is standardized across laptops. If you Google "HP-15 power adapter", you will see many options.

 

[WWGD]

They look to be fairly inexpensive to replace:

https://www.google.com/search?site=...img..0.11.481...0j0i30k1j0i8i30k1.f5TP5o-a-k8

Have you measured the DC output with a DVM? How do you know it's bad?

Hi, thanks for your reply. The issue is that when the computer is plugged, the PC is using the battery, i.e., battery is being drained out even when the Pc is plugged into the wall socket, i.e., the power is not "going to the computer". I don't know if the issue is with the computer or with the cable. I noticed the connector part of the cable (please excuse my ignorance of this area, and the main terms) does not heat up when the cable is plugged in.

 

[WWGD]

This is a power supply, not a power cable. It turns AC into DC, and is specific to the laptop. Neither the laptop's voltage nor connector is standardized across laptops. If you Google "HP-15 power adapter", you will see many options.

Strange thing is that it works on-and-off, and in some outlets but not in others. Thanks, I will do a seaarch on "HP-15 power adapter".

 

[WWGD]

Does the power cable also have a transformer ("wall wart") that actually plugs into the wall outlet?

No, it only has a three-prong plug into the wall, not sure of the technical name, I am embarrassed at my ignorance in this area.

 

[berkeman]

Hi, thanks for your reply. The issue is that when the computer is plugged, the PC is using the battery, i.e., battery is being drained out even when the Pc is plugged into the wall socket, i.e., the power is not "going to the computer". I don't know if the issue is with the computer or with the cable. I noticed the connector part of the cable (please excuse my ignorance of this area, and the main terms) does not heat up when the cable is plugged in.

Do you have access to a voltmeter? That's the best way to figure out whether the power brick is still working. Also, the cord and connector will not heat up, but the brick itself should get warm when charging.

And since you say it seems to work with some AC outlets, use the voltmeter to check the output voltage as you move the brick from outlet to outlet.
When you plug the adapter into the HP-15 laptop, and click on the battery icon, does it indicate it is charging?

 

[berkeman]

No, it only has a three-prong plug into the wall, not sure of the technical name, I am embarrassed at my ignorance in this area.

Wait, so it really is just a cord? Not like the images of the HP-15 power bricks that I posted earlier in this thread?

 

[WWGD]

Wait, so it really is just a cord? Not like the images of the HP-15 power bricks that I posted earlier in this thread?

My bad, sorry, it is one of the ones you described.

 

[WWGD]

This is a power supply, not a power cable. It turns AC into DC, and is specific to the laptop. Neither the laptop's voltage nor connector is standardized across laptops. If you Google "HP-15 power adapter", you will see many options.

Do you know the main "parameters" to look out for when buying one? I am in kind of a hurry and would like to buy one from a local store. By parameters I mean, e.g., the parameter of the input node, voltage, etc?

 

[berkeman]

Do you know the main "parameters" to look out for when buying one? I am in kind of a hurry and would like to buy one from a local store. By parameters I mean, e.g., the parameter of the input node, voltage, etc?

There's the output voltage and the actual connector that plugs into your laptop. The latter tends to be proprietary, though, so your best bet is to buy one online that is specified for the laptop.

 

[WWGD]

Thanks to all; the (extremely boring) saga is over. I found a universal charger and it is working, albeit at a pretty steep $65. Anyway, a caveat : I remembered I had been doing a lot of "coffee-shop hopping" for a few months, and I suspect that all the folding and unfolding of the charger (to deploy and pullback when heading out) may have damaged it somewhat. Thanks again.