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MSME · Jul 1, 2003, 07:29 PM

When I plug my iBook's (800) power adapter into a power strip the computer will sometimes not recognize the adapter (i.e. when I plug the thing into my computer, I get no green or amber light). Both times that I have noticed this, there is another computer plugged into the same power strip. When I plug in the iBook into another outlet, or into the same power strip all by itself, the computer then recognizes the adapter. Are Apple's power adapters just picky about electrical current, or is mine getting ready to die?

DrakkenKorin · Jul 2, 2003, 10:06 AM

I've often wondered this myself. When I first got my iBook (500), I just plugged it in and away it went. A couple of months ago, I noticed that when it was plugged it, the "signal" light (for lack for a better term: the amber/green light) would not come on and I noticed I was running off the battery.

Tried a different outlet, and it would work. Then, it stopped. So I started higgy-jiggying (Note: if you are not higgy-jiggy certified, I do not reccommend higgy-jiggying).

I came to the conclusion that the adapter likes to be FRIMLY connected to the outlet it is connected into. My solution: I rigged an extention cord and the adapter (with about 6 to 10 thick rubberbands) and twisted them tightly around the connection. Now it works like a charm.

I'd imagine getting a new adapter would solve the whole issue, but I'm too damend cheap to buy a new one.

Chips G · Jul 3, 2003, 03:42 PM

What do you mean no green or amber light? On the powerstrip itself? On the iBook? I dont think i ever have seen any light.

MSME · Jul 3, 2003, 04:24 PM

What do you mean no green or amber light? On the powerstrip itself? On the iBook? I dont think i ever have seen any light.

The ring-shaped light around the plug that goes into the iBook. It's amber when the battery is charging, and green when the battery is charged.

MartiNZ · Jul 3, 2003, 05:15 PM

Interesting that this seems to be happening to a few people right now - I've just been noticing the same thing sometimes over the past few weeks. I plug it in, notice no light and see that it is running on battery power - then I just have to touch the power pack or the cord or something and it comes right. I have it plugged in on its own, but I do switch between the longer power lead and the oh so convenient adapter on a daily basis, leaving the long lead at home and taking the adapter with me.

I had just put it down to this fact plus the fact that I wind the thin cord around the wings on the power pack all the time and the connections might be failing a bit (or whatever), but I don't know.

iBabo · Jul 4, 2003, 03:26 PM

same EXACT thing happened to mine.. after a while the cable that goes to the ibook, connected to the adaptor.. started sparking out like crazy.. took it to the apple store... and got a new one for free.. i dunno if they were related though

Chips G · Jul 4, 2003, 04:11 PM

whoa...i have no amber or green ring around where i plug my adapter in...uh, is it on the charger itself? or on the iBook? Is it only for newer ibooks>? Mines an old 500mhz one..

blackbird_1.0 · Jul 4, 2003, 11:41 PM

mines a 500mhz ibook w/ the "yoyo" power adapter, happened to me as well, i think i've got a short in it, where it plugs into the yoyo...

MartiNZ · Jul 7, 2003, 04:38 PM

Oh well.. now mine appears to have died altogether. For the last week or two a jiggle of the cord has been enough to get it to light up green and charge away and stay that way, but last night I couldn't get it to go at all

.

I tried it with another one where I was and that worked fine, so I guess I'll be taking mine in to be replaced.. not wanting to try tampering with it while under warranty. I just hope I can get a new one quickly as it tends to take 3 weeks to get anything fixed around here.

MSME · Jul 7, 2003, 05:29 PM

Just an update:

on the 4th the adapter died altogether -- no light of any kind, and trying different outlets didn't seem to work. I took it to the nearest Apple Store, and they replaced for free because I'm still in my 12 months, I suppose.

Too bad they weren't equally helpful with my slow combo drive, but that's for another thread.

iamnid · Jul 9, 2003, 06:32 PM

Originally posted by Chris Gilpin:
whoa...i have no amber or green ring around where i plug my adapter in...uh, is it on the charger itself? or on the iBook? Is it only for newer ibooks>? Mines an old 500mhz one..

No, the yoyo adapters don't have the status light built in... only the newer square adapters have the status light on the plug.