I have an interesting MagSafe Power Adapter problem...

[emw]

Recently I've noticed that my MBP will suddenly show as being on battery power, even though I'm plugged in. Or, at least I think I'm plugged in.

Upon closer inspection, I can see that the light on the adapter isn't providing that friendly green or amber glow, even though it appears to be securely nestled into the power port on the MBP.

Turns out that there are 5 little prongs inside the adapter, each of which is apparently supposed to be equipped with some sort of backer spring which keeps a tight connection between the adapter and the power port. On mine, two of those prongs fail to bounce back and as a result, I'm not getting a good connection to the power port.

I can "shake" the adapter end to get the plugs to come out to their normal position:

But once I hook it up to my MBP, the ports are pushed back and don't pop back out:

Sorry for the somewhat lame pictures, but the iSight won't focus much closer in than this.

Anyone else having this problem? I searched here and couldn't find anything. I'm going to head over to our IT department to see if they have any spare adapters, but I'm guessing they're going to need to exchange this one somehow. I'm concerned I'll damage the power port if I keep trying to force a connection.

 

[count chocula]

sorry to hear of your problem, npthing like that has happened with my magsafe. i say give apple a call.

 

[benthewraith]

Recently I've noticed that my MBP will suddenly show as being on battery power, even though I'm plugged in. Or, at least I think I'm plugged in.

Upon closer inspection, I can see that the light on the adapter isn't providing that friendly green or amber glow, even though it appears to be securely nestled into the power port on the MBP.

Turns out that there are 5 little prongs inside the adapter, each of which is apparently supposed to be equipped with some sort of backer spring which keeps a tight connection between the adapter and the power port. On mine, two of those prongs fail to bounce back and as a result, I'm not getting a good connection to the power port.

I can "shake" the adapter end to get the plugs to come out to their normal position:

But once I hook it up to my MBP, the ports are pushed back and don't pop back out:

Sorry for the somewhat lame pictures, but the iSight won't focus much closer in than this.

Anyone else having this problem? I searched here and couldn't find anything. I'm going to head over to our IT department to see if they have any spare adapters, but I'm guessing they're going to need to exchange this one somehow. I'm concerned I'll damage the power port if I keep trying to force a connection.

Why would the springs need to bounce back?

Wow....it'd probably be easier on you to just order a new power adapter (or can you get those at the Apple Store ) And ship them the old one back, rather than attempt to have it repaired or anything.

 

[emw]

Yeah, I don't plan on them repairing it - I figure I'll head out for an exchange. The complicating factor is that it was purchased through IT here at work, so they'll probably need to be involved. Which means I'll get it replaced sometime in '07.

As for why they need to "bounce back" - the pressure from the springs keeps the adapter plugs seated snuggley against the power port on the MBP. Without the springs, there is no pressure, thus no contact, thus to charging.


I suppose I'll just go buy my own at the Apple Store this afternoon to have a spare in any case.

 

[benthewraith]

Yeah, I don't plan on them repairing it - I figure I'll head out for an exchange. The complicating factor is that it was purchased through IT here at work, so they'll probably need to be involved. Which means I'll get it replaced sometime in '07.

As for why they need to "bounce back" - the pressure from the springs keeps the adapter plugs seated snuggley against the power port on the MBP. Without the springs, there is no pressure, thus no contact, thus to charging.


I suppose I'll just go buy my own at the Apple Store this afternoon to have a spare in any case.

Oh, thanks.

That made sense.

 

[chairguru22]

don't lie, you took those pics with your old-school mac in the background hoping you'd get some props. well you shall get none from me..

 

[benthewraith]

don't lie, you took those pics with your old-school mac in the background hoping you'd get some props. well you shall get none from me..

I was actually thinking about mentioning that but ended up completely forgetting about it. Does it still work? Does it have....."internet"?

 

[regre7]

Does it have....."internet"?

You mean ARPANET.

 

[benthewraith]

You mean ARPANET.

Wow...I guess being nineteen I had to look that junk up. OMG!!!! lol

 

[Satori]

I think I can see the problem here... Your MBP is actually an old Mac SE!!!
Man, they are really pulling a fast one on that refurb store!

 

[benthewraith]

I think I can see the problem here... Your MBP is actually an old Mac SE!!!
Man, they are really pulling a fast one on that refurb store!

Is this even possible or is this photoshoped?

 

[WildCowboy]

Is this even possible or is this photoshoped?

It's a Cube that had its parts transferred into the case of an SE.

Check out the other photos in the gallery where that one came from.

 

[emw]

don't lie, you took those pics with your old-school mac in the background hoping you'd get some props. well you shall get none from me..

Ha! I completely spaced on that one - just something that I have in my office. Yes it works, but it doesn't have internet connectivity.

If anyone has an old ADB to Ethernet converter they want to give me, I'll hook it up.

 

[jsw]

It's a Cube that had its parts transferred into the case of an SE.

Check out the other photos in the gallery where that one came from.

Cool, though. And see how they extended the floppy slot so you could insert a CD/DVD? Nicely done.

emw: I don't have that problem on either of my adapters. I think that, barring using it only in a properly oriented centrifuge, you should replace it. Any chance of getting your boss to approve buying a second one for home use, then using that until your original one is replaced?

 

[alexprice]

Dont but one.

Yeah, I don't plan on them repairing it - I figure I'll head out for an exchange. The complicating factor is that it was purchased through IT here at work, so they'll probably need to be involved. Which means I'll get it replaced sometime in '07.

As for why they need to "bounce back" - the pressure from the springs keeps the adapter plugs seated snuggley against the power port on the MBP. Without the springs, there is no pressure, thus no contact, thus to charging.


I suppose I'll just go buy my own at the Apple Store this afternoon to have a spare in any case.

You wont need to go through your place of work to get it repaired, goto an AASP with your machine and magsafe and show them. They should be able to offer you a replacement. On second thoughts call them first and make sure they have on in stock before you make the trip. Most of the bigger AASP's should have them in stock though.

 

[emw]

My boss is out, but I don't think there will be any problem getting him to approve the purchase after the fact. It's less than me being able to do no posting on MacRumors - I mean work - for 2 days waiting for IT to replace it, which is the procedure.

 

[emw]

Well, I have my newly purchased 85W power supply currently attached. Power is good.

Oddly enough, I have no "whine" on my MBP. Not that it was all that noticeable before, but now it's non-existent. Wonder if it has something to with the new adapter, or just that the battery is essentially dead?

 

[sinecurea]

I'm having the same problem too! The only difference is that mine looks ok when I take it out. All the prongs are accounted for and are looking the way they should. I'm going to test the cable out on another MacBook in work - if it works fine then I'm looking at there being something wrong with teh laptop - hopefully this isn't the case though, I shouldn't expected it to be.

S.