Without your AC charger/adapter, you may feel like your laptop is next to worthless. After all, not only do you not have a way to charge the battery in your laptop, you don't even have a way to run your computer via a wall outlet. While new technologies are being developed every day in the area of mobile power solutions (including Intel's research into wireless electrical transmissions), there aren't many current alternatives to charging your laptop battery without a charger. If your problem is that you are without your original charger (which is what normally comes with a new laptop), here are some workarounds you can try that will keep your laptop humming. Keep in mind, though, that they cost money and require an advanced purchase, in which case it may be just as economical and convenient to buy a new charger from your laptop's manufacturer.
Use a universal power adapter. This is perhaps the most obvious solution to your battery woes. Readily found at most retail outlets that carry electronics, a universal power adapter can range anywhere in price from $30 to $100 (or more, depending on how fancy you get). The adapter comes with multiple tips, one of which will likely fit your laptop's charging port. When plugged in, the adapter will not only power your laptop, but will charge its battery as well.
Use a universal auto/air adapter. If you're the road-warrior type who spends more time in your car than at a desk, this might be the sensible solution for you. An auto adapter is similar to a regular power adapter, except it has a modified end that plugs into your car's cigarette lighter. The adapter will keep you powered while in your car (or inflight if it's a combination adapter), and will simultaneously charge your laptop so you're ready for those occasions when you do have to leave your car or plane for the real world.
Buy an external laptop battery charger. These are standalone devices that do not plug into your laptop. Rather, you take the battery out of your laptop, attach it to the charger, plug the charger into an electrical outlet, and rejuice your battery that way. When fully charged, you reinsert the battery back into your laptop. External chargers are usually brand and model specific, so make sure you get one that matches your laptop's specs. One advantage to an external battery charger is that you can charge spare batteries without tying up your laptop.
TOSHIBA PA3290E-3AC3 Laptop AC Adapter
Laptops are great because of their portability. The size of a laptop is one of its main advantages, but the most important is that your laptop has a battery that can be charged and let you compute unplugged for hours. The power is stored in your laptop's battery but laptop batteries often wear out and stop charging. It's important know if your laptop is charging or it may shut down and cause you to loose your work.
Look at the battery icon in the lower right side of the task bar. This icon can look like a thin battery or a power plug if it is plugged in and charging. If you move your mouse over the icon it should tell you if the battery is charging and how much capacity has been charged.
HP COMPAQ PA-1650-02HC Laptop AC Adapter
Look at the place where the laptop power cord plugs into the laptop. There should be a light next to this connection that turns on when the laptop is charging.
Save everything you are working on in the laptop. Leave your laptop on and unplugged until it runs out of battery charge and shuts down. Plug in your laptop's power cord and start the computer. Wait a few minutes and then unplug the cord. If the laptop shuts down immediately then it is not charging. If the laptop won't power up, then the charger may be bad.
