Need power cord for Compaq laptop

[letterman]

I just bought a used Compaq prosignia Laptop.
It's supposed to work. But it's missing the power cord. The plug is
not the same as a desktop computer. Where can I get a cord for this
thing?

One other thing, it's missing the removable panel that covers the
harddrive. I can maybe make something for that, but if I can buy one
cheap enough that would be the best. Can they be gotten? Where?

Thanks

LM

 

[The Seabat]

Cyberguys have a pretty large assortment of power cords reasonably
priced. www.cyberguys.com

 

[John Doe]

I just bought a used Compaq prosignia Laptop.
It's supposed to work. But it's missing the power cord. The plug
is not the same as a desktop computer.

Yeah, like whether it includes an adapter.

Have you researched it?

Where can I get a cord for this thing?

EBay?

What is the power requirement?

One other thing, it's missing the removable panel that covers the
harddrive. I can maybe make something for that, but if I can buy
one cheap enough that would be the best.

If you can buy one at all, that would be a surprise.

Laptops are very difficult to homebuild.

Try (alt.sys.pc-clone.compaq).

Good luck.

 

[Paul]

I just bought a used Compaq prosignia Laptop.
It's supposed to work. But it's missing the power cord. The plug is
not the same as a desktop computer. Where can I get a cord for this
thing?

One other thing, it's missing the removable panel that covers the
harddrive. I can maybe make something for that, but if I can buy one
cheap enough that would be the best. Can they be gotten? Where?

Thanks

LM

You could start, by using the complete model name and number in a
search at hp.com . HP even has a page for searching for parts.
Using that page, you can get a complete parts list, with part
numbers. There are plenty of shady web sellers, who carry
adapters for old laptops. The voltages used fall into ranges,
so they'll offer something "compatible", rather than an
exact match. You have to be careful, if doing that, as
some suggestions are not correct (like speccing a 19V adapter
for a 16V laptop). A small amount of voltage difference from
the ideal value is tolerable, but too much can damage the
circuitry inside the laptop (overheat), within a month of usage.

http://www.hp.com (search here, try to find manuals and so on)

http://h20141.www2.hp.com/hpparts/Country_Choice.asp (parts site)

If you'd given enough detail, I would have looked it up.

Paul

 

[letterman]

Yeah, like whether it includes an adapter.

Have you researched it?


EBay?

What is the power requirement?


If you can buy one at all, that would be a surprise.

Laptops are very difficult to homebuild.

Try (alt.sys.pc-clone.compaq).

Good luck.

It DOES NOT need an adaptor / transformer. It just needs an AC power
cord. The 3 prong jack on the rear looks similar to the AC plug on a
desktop, but is smaller and has a rounded look to it.
The computer works. It still has some battery power. It just does
not have an operating system installed. I'll be putting Windows 98 on
it. I use 98 on the desktop too. The lastop was designed for 98, and
I dont like anything newer than 98.

I'm still trying to figure out how to install 98 (get the CD drive to
work, without an OS). I assume I need a DOS boot floppy for 98. But
first I need to charge that battery.

I looked on Ebay, it appears this is the cable. It looks right.
But I want to buy it locally so I dont have to wait a week, and also
be sure it fits. But this one looks right, but the photo is not very
clear.
http://cgi.ebay.com/FOR-DELL-IBM-COMPAQ-3-PRONG-LAPTOP-AC-POWER-CORD-CABLE_W0QQitem
Z330259366414QQihZ014QQcategoryZ45342QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It's a Prosignia 165. Series PP2000
I cant find an actual place where it says MODEL.

I'm off to Radio Shack to see if they have one.

Thanks

 

[letterman]

Yeah, like whether it includes an adapter.

Have you researched it?


EBay?

What is the power requirement?


If you can buy one at all, that would be a surprise.

Laptops are very difficult to homebuild.

Try (alt.sys.pc-clone.compaq).

Good luck.

It DOES NOT need an adaptor / transformer. It just needs an AC power
cord. The 3 prong jack on the rear looks similar to the AC plug on a
desktop, but is smaller and has a rounded look to it.
The computer works. It still has some battery power. It just does
not have an operating system installed. I'll be putting Windows 98 on
it. I use 98 on the desktop too. The lastop was designed for 98, and
I dont like anything newer than 98.

I'm still trying to figure out how to install 98 (get the CD drive to
work, without an OS). I assume I need a DOS boot floppy for 98. But
first I need to charge that battery.

I looked on Ebay, it appears this is the cable. It looks right.
But I want to buy it locally so I dont have to wait a week, and also
be sure it fits. But this one looks right, but the photo is not very
clear.
http://cgi.ebay.com/FOR-DELL-IBM-COMPAQ-3-PRONG-LAPTOP-AC-POWER-CORD-CABLE_W0QQitem
Z330259366414QQihZ014QQcategoryZ45342QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It's a Prosignia 165. Series PP2000
I cant find an actual place where it says MODEL.

I'm off to Radio Shack to see if they have one.

Thanks

```````````````````````````````````````````

 

[John Doe]

It DOES NOT need an adaptor / transformer. It just needs an AC
power cord.

Lucky you.

I'll be putting Windows 98 on it. I use 98 on the desktop too.
The lastop was designed for 98, and I dont like anything newer
than 98.

You are missing the boat. For the most part, Windows is an operating
system. You can make Windows XP look exactly like Windows 98
(including gradient title bars), so the only difference is how well
your computer works. Windows XP is much more stable. Windows 98
memory management was horrible.

I want to buy [the power cord] locally so I dont have to wait a
week, and also be sure it fits.

If you weren't concerned about looks know what you were doing, you
could make a cord.

It's a Prosignia 165.

Apparently you can buy it at Hewlett-Packard too. Maybe shipping is
faster, but you get what you pay for.

http://h20141.www2.hp.com/hpparts/Search_Results.asp?mscssid=XADH24B5N7J89MPF7EK9N67CE1SU9LUB

Good luck and have fun.

 

[John Doe]

(e-mail address removed) says...


You should have out this in your first post.
Nobody has a crystal ball here.

Maybe not in 24hoursupport.helpdesk, but Paul does, here.

 

[Paul]

Maybe not in 24hoursupport.helpdesk, but Paul does, here.

My guess was, there'd be more than one Prosignia, so I'd be
buried in answers

*******
255135-001 Part is orderable, please call 1-800-227-8164 for availability.
Power cord (Black) - 3-wire, 18 AWG, 3.0m (9.8ft) long - Has straight (F) C5
receptacle (for 120V in the United States and Canada)
*******

The picture here, once you pull it into Photoshop and enhance brightness
and contrast, has a pretty unique end for the computer. Three insulated
tubes on the end that plugs into the computer. You might not find this
at Radio Shack.

http://h30125.www3.hp.com/csnOther/SPICatalog/photos/255135-001.jpg

Once you have the part number, you can price around. This one
isn't any cheaper than the HP one. In fact, a quick search isn't
turning up a lot of trustworthy substitutes. Perhaps ordering from
HP would be the least hassle.

http://www.alancomputech.com/255135-001.html

Paul

 

[Paul]

The picture here, once you pull it into Photoshop and enhance brightness
and contrast, has a pretty unique end for the computer. Three insulated
tubes on the end that plugs into the computer. You might not find this
at Radio Shack.

http://h30125.www3.hp.com/csnOther/SPICatalog/photos/255135-001.jpg

Spoke too soon. This one is labeled as for Compaq, and while the
picture is too small and at the wrong angle, it might just do it.
It is also cheaper than anything related to the 255135-001
part number as well.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2117945

Paul

 

[letterman]

Thanks for everyone's help. I was able to get a cord. There is a
place about 20 miles from here that recycles computers and other
electronics. They dont sell most parts, but cords are one thing they
keep. I wanted to get rid of a few old tv sets so I went there and
took the laptop with me. They had a cable and charged me a buck.
Sure cant beat that.....

The computer works well. It took me awhile to figure out how to
install the OS, but I did it. The only problem I have had is that the
numeric keypad is built into the alphabet keys. Some button changes
that, but what? I was getting numbers, so I plugged in an external
keyboard. But when I removed the battery and plug it reset the thing,
and now I got a regular keyboard again. I've never owned a laptop,
and have no manual. Anyone know what key is for this?

One other thing. This only has 64megs of ram. How does someone add
memory to a laptop? I've done it many times for a desktop model, but
never a laptop. Do they use the same ram sticks?

Thanks

LM

 

[Paul]

Thanks for everyone's help. I was able to get a cord. There is a
place about 20 miles from here that recycles computers and other
electronics. They dont sell most parts, but cords are one thing they
keep. I wanted to get rid of a few old tv sets so I went there and
took the laptop with me. They had a cable and charged me a buck.
Sure cant beat that.....

The computer works well. It took me awhile to figure out how to
install the OS, but I did it. The only problem I have had is that the
numeric keypad is built into the alphabet keys. Some button changes
that, but what? I was getting numbers, so I plugged in an external
keyboard. But when I removed the battery and plug it reset the thing,
and now I got a regular keyboard again. I've never owned a laptop,
and have no manual. Anyone know what key is for this?

One other thing. This only has 64megs of ram. How does someone add
memory to a laptop? I've done it many times for a desktop model, but
never a laptop. Do they use the same ram sticks?

Thanks

LM

The form factor may be called "SODIMM" or small outline DIMM. The
laptop may have a door on the bottom, that you remove to gain
access.

There are a variety of schemes for RAM. For example, some machines
have RAM soldered to the motherboard, plus an expansion slot for
adding more RAM. Some might have only one slot (and no motherboard
RAM), while some modern machines have room for two sticks (operable
in dual channel mode for enhanced memory bandwidth).

This is my best guess at what it will take. With 64MB soldered to
the motherboard, and 192MB max, that means the single expansion
slot will take a 128MB module. The module type is apparently old
enough, that Crucial doesn't carry it any more.

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=Prosignia Notebook 165

You could also go to the main Crucial web page, and use the
"system scanner", to see if more information is available.
(Chipset, module speed, PC66/PC100/PC133)

There are a number of merchants that salt the search engines, and the
first one that popped up, offered this. "PC100 SDRAM SODIMMs". They
have a 128MB module for $40.

http://www.memorygiant.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.memorySearch&model_id=22678&pid=410

Another one here offering a PC100 stick at 128MB in size.

http://www.computermemoryoutlet.com/Compaq-ProSignia-165-memory.htm

You can use resellerratings.com to get a rating for vendors like that.
Or try to track them down, using their street address and entry in
the BBB search engine.

HTH,
Paul

 

[letterman]

The form factor may be called "SODIMM" or small outline DIMM. The
laptop may have a door on the bottom, that you remove to gain
access.

There are a variety of schemes for RAM. For example, some machines
have RAM soldered to the motherboard, plus an expansion slot for
adding more RAM. Some might have only one slot (and no motherboard
RAM), while some modern machines have room for two sticks (operable
in dual channel mode for enhanced memory bandwidth).

This is my best guess at what it will take. With 64MB soldered to
the motherboard, and 192MB max, that means the single expansion
slot will take a 128MB module. The module type is apparently old
enough, that Crucial doesn't carry it any more.

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=Prosignia Notebook 165

You could also go to the main Crucial web page, and use the
"system scanner", to see if more information is available.
(Chipset, module speed, PC66/PC100/PC133)

There are a number of merchants that salt the search engines, and the
first one that popped up, offered this. "PC100 SDRAM SODIMMs". They
have a 128MB module for $40.

http://www.memorygiant.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.memorySearch&model_id=22678&pid=410

Another one here offering a PC100 stick at 128MB in size.

http://www.computermemoryoutlet.com/Compaq-ProSignia-165-memory.htm

You can use resellerratings.com to get a rating for vendors like that.
Or try to track them down, using their street address and entry in
the BBB search engine.

HTH,
Paul

Thanks for the info.
It turns out that the same place I got the power cord has 128meg ram
for this computer. I have not been there yet, but the guy said he'd
save it for me. I found where it goes too. The keyboard must be
lifted out.

Thanks for all help.