It's not surprising that your AC adaptor failed. They told you (maybe too subtly) that your laptop required a 6.3 amp unit and you used a 4.5 amp unit. I think the word "universal" is misleading in this case. 
What do you get now? It's been suggested that you get the unit that was designed for that computer, and that is the best advice. There are about 5000 listings on Ebay for "laptop AC adaptors". Maybe you can find the one designed for your computer. The factory provided adaptors appear to be of much higher quality than the generic or universal replacements that I've seen. If you can't find a factory unit, here are the factors that I would consider.

1. Adaptor input: What is the AC voltage where you live, 115 or 230? Get an adaptor designed for that voltage input. The factory units that I've seen will accept 100-240 volts.

2. Output voltage: What voltage does your laptop input specify? Get an adaptor with that output voltage, NO VARIATION.

3. Output amps: If your computer specifies (requires) 6.3 amps, get an adaptor rated (capable of providing) at least 6.3 amps. I would feel comfortable using a little higher rated unit, but NOT LESS.

4. In addition to an amp rating, you may see a watt rating on adaptors. If you multiply volts times amps, the result is watts. So a 19 volt adaptor rated to provide 6.3 amps is about a 120 watt adaptor. 

5. The output plug must fit the power input on the computer. Radio Shack sells many sizes of those plugs, or maybe you could use the plug from the unit that failed. The polarity (+ and -) must be considered. It should be shown on the computer.

Hope this helps you find a replacement.


>From: chipo chika <[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]
>
>-- 
>http://www.fastmail.fm - Or how I learned to stop worrying and
>                          love email again

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