Brown Out Tech Fix?

[tw]

Originally Posted by Griff

Damaged part: Toshiba AC/DC adapter model ADP-75SB AB
Table top material: hardwood over plywood ...

Being closer to a breaker box means a surge may seek earth ground via your laptop and its power brick. But nothing listed implies a good outgoing path to earth. No network cable. No phone line. Mouse cable not draped against a heat vent or baseboard heat. No concrete or linoleum floor. Chances are a surge would have found other paths (appliances) to earth meaning that a surge is a low probable explanation for power brick failure. A conclusion that is only as good as the few facts we have.

To have surge damage, a surge must have an outgoing path to earth. Also routine is to have a surge pass completely through the computer to not harm the computer, but harm the modem. A most common reason for modem damage is AC electric. But your post implies no good outgoing path; making damage due to a surge low on the probability scale.

[Griff]

Thanks tw. I'll look into opening the brick. You may be on to something with the hours of operation. I wonder if that is why they spec a higher wattage on the replacement? We're using a wireless router so there really are not any other paths that I can see.