[SPARCbook] Sparcbook experiences from new list member

[Michael]

Hello,

On Jan 28, 2009, at 1:16 PM, guikueppers at t-online.de wrote:

> Hi Michael,
>
>> Bottom line is the laptop thinks there's no real battery power
>> and no AC power either ( it's right about the latter though, my
>> makeshift replacement power supply can charge the battery but
>> it can't power the laptop  ), assumes shutdown is >imminent,
>> but the battery is doing just fine.
>
> Your ultrabook does have that strange 5-pin Lemo power connector,   
> doesn't it?

Yes.

> In that case pin 1 (AC-failure, the lowermost) should be  connected  
> to pins 4-5 (GND, to the left). If you leave pin 1 floating,  maybe  
> the ultrabook doesn't recognize the power supply.

I did that, otherwise it wouldn't even try to charge the battery.

> Have you  found the manual on the Tadpole/RDI site, it has a picture  
> with pin assignments.

Yes, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to hook up my power supply at  
all.

> With the power supply attached and recognized, and the ultrabook
> switched off, you might try to remove and reinsert the battery. This
> sometimes helps to get the battery status detected.

I'll try that.

Another problem is that the Ultrabook is so picky about its AC power.  
I have an 18V power supply from a HP printer, unfortunately it's  
barely able to do about 25W, not enough for the laptop itself but good  
enough to charge the battery. I also have a 14.5V / 40W one which the  
Ultrabook ignores no matter what. Guess I'll get one of these 18V/70W  
ones from ebay and do some soldering around the power connector.

have fun
Michael

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