Laptop Power Setting Problems

[Chuggzugg]

I recently bought a new notebook PC from Cyberpower and I appear to have a fairly unique problem. Whenever I try to start my computer while it is plugged into an AC outlet I get an error message saying my system file is corrupt. However, if I remove the adaptor and restart it, it boots up without incident while running off of the battery. If I reconnect the adaptor the computer freezes.

The tech support number suggests that it is the fault of the wall outlet and changing location would solve this problem. I have tried using different wall outlets and surge protectors but I continue to have this problem.

The local computer store suggests that it is a problem with the settings that regulate power for when it is plugged in (e.g. lower cpu speeds for less of a drain on the battery when not plugged in). They have suggested to change the adaptor settings to be the same as the battery settings. I have not found an obvious way to do this, either through Windows or the BIOS.

Does anybody have any experience with these problems or ideas for other solutions? And if the second diagnosis sounds accurate, how would I go about implementing it.

Thanks in advance for the help.

CPU: Intel® Pentium® 4 CPU w/ Hyper-Threading Technology 3.4GHz 800FSB 1MB Cache
MOTHERBOARD: SiS 648FX + 963 Chipset Mainboard
ADAPTER: Universal AC-DC Adapter
BATTERY: Li-Ion Battery with 14.8V x 4800mAh
OS: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition w/ Service Pack 2
MEMORY: 1024 MB PC3200 400MHz DDR DUAL CHANNEL MEMORY
HDD: 80GB 5400RPM ULTRA ATA 100 HARD DRIVE

[Wolfey]

I recently bought a new notebook PC from Cyberpower and I appear to have a fairly unique problem. Whenever I try to start my computer while it is plugged into an AC outlet I get an error message saying my system file is corrupt. However, if I remove the adaptor and restart it, it boots up without incident while running off of the battery. If I reconnect the adaptor the computer freezes.

The tech support number suggests that it is the fault of the wall outlet and changing location would solve this problem. I have tried using different wall outlets and surge protectors but I continue to have this problem.

The local computer store suggests that it is a problem with the settings that regulate power for when it is plugged in (e.g. lower cpu speeds for less of a drain on the battery when not plugged in). They have suggested to change the adaptor settings to be the same as the battery settings. I have not found an obvious way to do this, either through Windows or the BIOS.

Does anybody have any experience with these problems or ideas for other solutions? And if the second diagnosis sounds accurate, how would I go about implementing it.

Thanks in advance for the help.

CPU: Intel® Pentium® 4 CPU w/ Hyper-Threading Technology 3.4GHz 800FSB 1MB Cache
MOTHERBOARD: SiS 648FX + 963 Chipset Mainboard
ADAPTER: Universal AC-DC Adapter
BATTERY: Li-Ion Battery with 14.8V x 4800mAh
OS: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition w/ Service Pack 2
MEMORY: 1024 MB PC3200 400MHz DDR DUAL CHANNEL MEMORY
HDD: 80GB 5400RPM ULTRA ATA 100 HARD DRIVE


How new is this lappy Chugg?
If it's still under warranty take it straight back to Cyberpower and demand a replacement.

[PrntRhd]

I am in agreement with Wolfey on this one.
The only difference when plugged into AC should be: the speed of the Intel P4 processor and brightness of the display increase.

[Wandrille]

ye i totally agree with them
u dont want to get ripped of with a bad laptop
whenever somethin doesnt work always send it back and dont wait till it isnt under warranty
waitin is bad
do it as soon as possible!!!
trust me i had a borken usb port on my laptop and i waited till the very end (my laptop warranty was endin in a week)my dad had to fight for dell to do it free without makin us pay
we got lucky
so i suggest dont wait

[Wolfey]

As an after thought on this, although I stick with my original suggestion, a problem may arise if the laptop was a "Grey Import", or in other words, a product designed for one specific market.
For example, I could buy a laptop in the states (115v) only to find it would not work in the UK (240v) for obvious reasons.

As we know this is not the case, but as an aside take a look at the screen shot as to how to alter your settings in Power Management to Portable/Laptop.

[Chuggzugg]

First of all, I'd like to thank you guys for your help. Unfortunately, I missed the 7 day D.O.A. when, in a fit of hubris, I decided that this was a minor problem that would be fixed with a wave of the hand and a flip of a switch. However all my leads turned up dry and I resigned myself to returning it for a refund and taking my business elsewhere. Last night, as I was getting ready to clean up the HD for the return I decided to try plugging it in one last time. I braced myself for a freeze or a reboot but it kept up. So there I am, dumbfounded and not unpleasantly suprised, with a $2000 (hot and heavy) paperweight that suddenly decided that it was my friend again. Go figure.

[Wolfey]

I figure, this is a problem that has happened once and WILL hapen again.
When it does and the guarantee has run out you will be growling when it says I'm gonna throw a tantrum.

[Chuggzugg]

Wisely said as I fail to duplicate my earlier success. It goes back tomorrow.