Laptop charger ignited!

[Kritou]

In December 2008 we bought our grandson a Hewlet Packard G60 laptop online from Comet Group PLC. Five months later the charger failed as did a second a few months ago. Today the third one started smoking

Over the past two months getting the machine to charge has required wiggling the the coax plug about and I suspect that there may be a fault in the socket that has caused the chargers to short out

Does this sound a likely scenario?

My next question is - do I have any comeback on either Comet or the manufacturer? Possibly in answer to my own question it actually states on the bottom of the laptop that it has a one year warranty

Written more in hope than expectation .........

 

[Blackal]

The input 240v plug can easily work its way loose. Then it starts arcing and farcking................

I had it happen on a company laptop once - and it really screwed up the project.

I check the plug to the adaptor every time I plug in to the mains now.

Al

 

[Gonzo]

If you have a record of the earlier chargers failing i.e. they were replaced under warranty then go for it but you might need to be a bit arsey.

Similar thing happend to niece's Sony Vaio and the problem was the 12v socket that was connected to the motherboard.....well, you can imagine how expensive that was to fix. Sony denied all responsibility claiming that it was misuse of the charging plug and socket but in reality it wasn't fit for purpose.....the purpose of a laptop being mobile and requiring the taking in and taking out of the plug on a regular basis.

Just looked at lad #1's Fujitsu - going the same way, crap design, barely holds in.
Lad #2's Dell is much more robust design as is my work Thinkpad.

 

[Comet Response]

In December 2008 we bought our grandson a Hewlet Packard G60 laptop online from Comet Group PLC. Five months later the charger failed as did a second a few months ago. Today the third one started smoking

Over the past two months getting the machine to charge has required wiggling the the coax plug about and I suspect that there may be a fault in the socket that has caused the chargers to short out

Does this sound a likely scenario?

My next question is - do I have any comeback on either Comet or the manufacturer? Possibly in answer to my own question it actually states on the bottom of the laptop that it has a one year warranty

Written more in hope than expectation .........

Hi Kritou,

My name’s Matt and I’m from Comet.

It was disappointing to learn of the problems that you are experiencing with your Hewlett Packard G60 Laptop.

After discussing this matter with Hewlett Packard, who are our nominated repair agents for this particular item, they have advised that they are not aware of any known issues with the G60 Laptop or charger.

Under normal circumstances as your repair is now out of its manufacturers guarantee any repair would be chargeable. Although I am concerned with your comments and that this is the third charger you have had problems with since purchase, and would like to investigate the circumstances that prompted your post. Please could you send me an e-mail via the link below with the purchase information, the serial number of the laptop and any repair case reference numbers that you may have.

https://comet.custhelp.com

You will need to register a few details with us in order to be able to send your e-mail in.

Thanks

Matt

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Sale of goods act !
look it up

Durability:
How long SHOULD the item last ?
In this case I would say a laptop charger SHOULD last many years (say 5).
The fact that the manufacturers warranty is up is irrelevant.
Take it back. Tell them you want a new one.
Keep shouting till they comply !

Also, your contract is with the shop. If they try and fob you off, telling you to take it up with the manufacturer.
Say NO. Tell them you want a new one and keep shouting till they comply.

Pick a busy saturday afternoon for your shouting !

 

[Engineer]

In December 2008 we bought our grandson a Hewlet Packard G60 laptop online from Comet Group PLC. Five months later the charger failed as did a second a few months ago. Today the third one started smoking

Over the past two months getting the machine to charge has required wiggling the the coax plug about and I suspect that there may be a fault in the socket that has caused the chargers to short out

Does this sound a likely scenario?

My next question is - do I have any comeback on either Comet or the manufacturer? Possibly in answer to my own question it actually states on the bottom of the laptop that it has a one year warranty

Written more in hope than expectation .........

Depends on what the cause of the fault is/was.

If there has been misuse then you don't have any comeback.
If it was a manufacturing fault then yes.

Your contract is with Comet not with the manufacturer - the one years warranty is pretty meaningless really - take a look at the sale of goods act.