Chipo,
 A power pack is basically a ac to dc supply which when plugged into the
laptop powers the laptop and charges the rechargeable battery.
The power rating must be at least equal to or more than the power rating of
the laptop, assuming there is no short in the computer, this should prove
adequate. A shorted battery or other component can wipe out the supply in
short order.
Heat is generated by current flow from the power supply to the laptop, so it
is not surprising the excess wattage would overheat and possibly melt the
supply.
 I suggest you do a search for the exact model laptop supply to find a
suitable replacement and check for excess current draw before connecting
it..
HTH,
 Hal Seabolt

-----Original Message-----
From: Personal Computer Hardware discussion List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of chipo chika
Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2008 2:08 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [PCBUILD] Laotop power pack

I bought second hand laptop that had no power pack. I went and purchased a
4.5A universal power pack. Surprisingly the power pack melted five minutes
after connecting it to the laptop. My laptop is rated at 6.3A.
Could the power affect the power pack? My understanding is that a power pack
with a low rating might just take a little bi longer to recharge a battery.
Where does a laptop draw current when the power pack is connected? 
--
  chipo chika
  [log in to unmask]

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