Dodgy IBM PC Convertible power supply

[Tony Duell]

> The power connector (barrel type) had a bit of oxidation on the contacts
> which I tried to clean and scrape away.  I got a fair amount off of it.  I
> never thought to check the voltage coming out on the other end of
> connector, but I'll do that tonight.

If you can get to the connections at the mains adapter end of the power 
cable, try soldering a piece of cable between the right points in the 
adapter and the right points on the PSU board in the computer. That way 
yo by[ass the power connector and possilble broken wires in the original 
cable.

> 
> > Assuming this is an electronic problem, I would first test all the
> > electrolytics on an ESR meter. High-ESR capacitors cause the most odd
> > faults on SMPUSs...
> 
> I'll need to find one...

There have been many projects for these in the UK magazines, I would be 
suprised if you couldn't find such a projected Stateside. And a google 
search should turn up suppliers of ready-built instruments.

-tony