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Damaged Power Supply what to do?

Hello,


I finally figured out that the problem with the MagSafe adapter LED light is due to a problem with the charger. I figured it out today because depending on the orientation of the magsafe cable end the status of the LED lights changes.


What are my options? I am out of warranty and the computer is 2 years old already...


Thanks for your assistance!

MacBook Pro (15-inch Mid 2010), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2), 4GB; 500GB HDD; NVIDIA 330M GT 256

Posted on Oct 16, 2012 11:05 AM

Reply
5 replies

Oct 16, 2012 3:28 PM in response to Courcoul

I am sure that the issue is not a busted MagSafe port. From my observations, the light of the LED indicator turns off (completely) when you wiggle the cable that goes from the adapter to the computer. If you wiggle the cable again the light turns on and supplies power to the computer. I am deducing that the cable that goes from the adapter to the computer is broken. Furthermore, the changes in the MagSafe LED lights when the cable is wiggled occur while the MagSafe plug is connected to the computer.


Also, given that this is my college computer which I use for notes and classwork how ca in work around this issue until I save up to buy the adapter in the following weeks? Should I leave the computer unused? In other words, what stop gap measures should I take to get by the following weeks?

Oct 16, 2012 3:35 PM in response to vea1083

Ah, this is for the dancing charge lights: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3205


Make sure the plug and socket are absolutely clean and the connector goes in flush. See especially #7 & 8 (click on triangle to open): http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1713


And of course, there's always social engineering: select a suitably equipped classmate to sit next to, do an anguished puppy dog look, bum their charger's plug and juice up yours till the piggybank fattens up enough... 😝😉

Oct 16, 2012 4:55 PM in response to Courcoul

Hello again,


I did followed the suggestions outlines in the article and the MagSafe head is clean. The same case is found the MacBook Pro MagSafe port. The behavior of the battery LED lights are normal and do not show signs of problems. I think it all boils down to a problem with the MagSafe cable that goes from the Power Brick to the computer.


As for the social engineering thing, I think I am the only person with a 15 inch MacBook Pro. The only macs that I've seen are 13" MacBook Airs and Pros and there are only 4 students with macs in my study program (I attend a small size college).


Again thanks for the help. Probably, I just was the victim of bad luck with a weak MagSafe power adapter. The replacement will have to wait till November as I save up for a purchase.


Thanks for your time!

Damaged Power Supply what to do?

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