How-To Geek

Hey, I'm a new member here and I have a problem I can't quite solve.

I have a Maxtor external hard drive (320Gb, just so you know) and I bought at the end of 2007. It's been fine and served me well until several days ago. I usually plugged the hdd to my laptop and switched it on only when I intend to access the data I've stashed inside it. One day, a friend of mine wanted to borrow the hdd and copy some things from it. I unplugged the thing and when I plugged it again, the hdd couldn't be switched on.

I've since deduced that the problem is with the AC adapter (I hope so, because if it's the external itself, I'll be damned). The light indicator wasn't lit after I switched on the main power source and the adapter made a quiet sort-of hissing noise. It heated up at one corner and when I switched off the power source, it made a sharp 'bzzt' sound. I'm not well versed in how adapters work but I think mine had short-circuited (for who knows what reason).

Here's my question; is there a universal place where can I find AC adapters compatible with my hdd?

I'm currently in Auckland, NZ and I can't seem to find one in this place. I bought the hdd back in Malaysia and it's near impossible for me to go back there. The one that they have here has a different DC output than the one on my hdd's specification.

New Zealand's DC output: 5V/12V-1.5A
My adapter's DC output: 5V/12V-2A

And to throw in another question; what will happen if I go stubborn and use the NZ adapter to replace mine? I heard that it'll burn up but I'm not sure. Can someone explain how the DC output works?

Thanks in advance!

I have no idea what difference the adapter makes but if they do have a different voltage I wouldn't try it unless I was absolutely sure it wouldn't break the drive.
If Maxtor has a support phone number somewhere you could try calling them and asking if it would work.

Firstly. Not all adapters have dual input voltage (100-240). So always check that. NZ use 230/240V (same as UK).
Secondly. Some have dual output DC (5 + 12 Volts) Some have just 12 Volts (with the 5 Volt regulator inside the ext. box)
Thirdly. Current matching is important, in as much as, if the adaptor does not produce sufficient current it will overheat/burn out.
It is not a problem to use an adapter with a higher current(amperage) than the origional.
Having said that, some origional adaptors are over specified for the device they come with. In which case you can use one with a lower amperage. But unless you have the proper gear to test this, I would not risk it. The biggest problem is the multitude of different plugs that are used to plug into the ext. box. You may have to cut the old one off and solder it to the new adapter cable.
I thank whs for his confidence in me :)

Sorry could not help more.

http://www.google.com/products.....microsoft:*&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&um=1 --- And there are 100 other sources on the web. Google "maxtor ac adapter".