Adapter for overseas laptop PC

[samuraiwig]

Luddite question...

My laptop PC adapter has given out - the problem seems to be with a piece of cable that can't be replaced. I went to Bic Camera thinking that because my old adapter was variable voltage I could just pick up a replacement, but the guy there said it was likely that the adapters they have could short circuit my UK version Toshiba PC.

Does anyone know whether these short circuit concerns are valid? Or how/where i can get a replacement?

Here are the basics of the adapter that came with my laptop:

Input: 100-240V -1.8A 50-60Hz
Output: 19V 3.16A
Polarity: the symbol shows 'positive' on the right (which I guess is the device end) connecting into 'negative' on the left (which I guess is the socket end)

Last thing...the only realistic replacement at Bic produces 15V output. Is that going to be OK given that the old adapter produced 19V?

Thanks for any advice.

[Blah Pete]

You should be able to find an adapter that has a 19.3 volt output. Since your adapter has a 100-240V input it shouldn't be that hard to find.
I wouldn't try a 15 volt adapter, it shouldn't damage anything but most likely won't run.

When I have replaced power supplies I have scrounged the back streets of Akihabara and found what I have needed. Toshiba is probably the most commen here. Look for the small computer places with boxes of junk in front on sale. There is where you will usually find them.

Also, the folks at BIC, Yodobashi aren't always the best PC techs, if it is not in the catalog or on their info PC they are lost. Since your PC is from the UK the model numbers are different than what is sold here but the PC is basically te same (w/o J-keyboard, software, etc.). Sometimes you can get close to what the J-model is by checking the your model number against J-model numbers. For example the their models numbers may be 8 digits/letters. The last 2-4 may delineate between a J-model and one sold overseas but they are usually basically the same PC. Get the info for the closest J-PC and it probably uses the same power supply.

[Taro Toporific]

I wouldn't try a 15 volt adapter, it shouldn't damage anything but most likely won't run.
When I have replaced power supplies I have scrounged the back streets of Akihabara and found what I have needed. Toshiba is probably the most commen here. Look for the small computer places with boxes of junk in front on sale. ...

DITTO!
The 15 volt adapter most likely won't run. I've had great luck using "universal" adapters from Akihabara. There are a couple of booths under the Akihabara tracks that sell nothing but adapters. The "universal" adapters run anything from 9-to-20 volts DC (you just select the voltage on the adapters). When traveling I used to carry only one "universal" adapter rather than lug around 5 or 6 adapter bricks in my carry-on luggage. Large travel goods stores carry such "universal" adapters for less the 2,000yen.

[samuraiwig]

Thanks for the replies.

I know Akihabara would be the place to go, but unfortunately I'm not in Tokyo and not likely to be visiting any time soon!

Any ideas for Nagoya? I guess Osu would be the obvious place to go looking, but I can't think of anywhere that's likely to have this kind of thing.