90w UltraSlim adapter leads to unusable, jumpy touchpad [ Edited ]

[OtherSteve]

All,

Good afternoon!

I am a computer technician who just recently purchased an x220 for personal use.  I always feel like I've seen it all, but I fear this one is entirely new to me.

My x220 appears to work perfectly under nearly all conditions, with one exception: whenever a 90-watt adapter is attached, the touchpad pointer begins skipping so badly as to become completely unusable within a short period of time.  As far as I can tell this only occurs when the 90w adapter is attached, and not even when it is only sitting near the PC.  Making matters even more confusing is the fact that TWO different 90w adapters have led to the same result.

I am using the 90w UltraSlim adapters that Lenovo lists as a compatible accessory on their purchase configuration pages.  What I want to know is this:

1. Does this indicate a problem with my laptop?
2. Is anyone else experiencing the same issues?

I could conceive of how such an adapter could lead to electrical interference with an electrostatic (capacitive touch) device such as a laptop touchpad.  However, it concerns me greatly that this is occurring with a brand new machine.  I really don't want to have the entire machine replaced, but I am beginning to become rather concerned.

Thanks to anyone for the support,

-Steve

Moderator edit: Added UltraSlim to message topic

[justyn]

I don't have the Ultraslim adapter, but I do have a standard lenovo 90w adapter that came with my docking station.

I have checked and I don't have the touchpad problem you described.

However, that adapter does give me problems - it causes a warbling sound to come out of my X220 whenever it is plugged in and on.

This is a warbling sound coming from the laptop itself, not the adapter, and it doesn't occur when I use the 65w adapter, only the 90w one. It happens whether powering the laptop directly or via the docking station. And I have tried two 90w adapters and it occurs with both, so it isn't a faulty adapter.

What's the difference between the adapters? Well, the 65w ones read 20.1v at their pins, but the 90w ones read 20.4v (unloaded). I think this may be the problem.

My solution has simply been to use the 65w adapter, even with the docking station. I haven't mentioned it on the forums yet because I'm still dealing with the other two noise-related issues with my machine.

I'm telling you this because I wonder if a similar thing could be happening in your case - perhaps your 90w ultraslim adapter puts out a slightly higher (or lower?) voltage and the voltage regulators on the mainboard and having to do more work, leading to electrical inteference which is affecting the touchpad.

Do you experince this issue with the standard 65w adapter?

[ColonelONeill]

So a 65W adapter is okay? Bizarre problem indeed.

Maybe try reseating the touchpad connector by taking off the palmrest.
X220 HMM: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-77125
X220 Service Videos: http://www.lenovoservicetraining.com/ion/X220/index.html

[OtherSteve]

justyn,

That is a very interesting observation.  It could indeed be the case that this is what's leading to my issue.  Having tried two 90w adapters, neither works, and the 65w adapters do not cause this problem.  I am frustrated and may simply need to return the 90w adapter (the second one that I've bought!) and deal with 65w adapters only (thus sacrificing the convenience of the travel tips, etc. that the 90w UltraSlim comes with).

ColonelONeill,

Yep--that was the first thing I tried after narrowing down to the hardware level.  The touchpad seems to be seated just fine.

Could someone else check and see if their exhibits the same problems with the UltraSlim?

[OtherSteve]

Can anyone with an UltraSlim adapter please test their system with it to see if the same behavior is exhibited?  Even someone at Lenovo if they have a moment--it would be greatly appreciated.

I am beginning to wonder if I ought to RMA this whole machine.

[gan Guru]

When i had a Thinkpad W500 i used the Ultraslim adapter for a long time without any issues like you describe. I also used the Ultraslim adapter with a T410s without any issues. Now i got a W520 that require 170w power so i cannot use it anymore. The company i work for there are several users with the Ultraslim adapter and never heard of any problems, but none of them got the X220.

-gan

[OtherSteve]

Thanks gan.  So it seems it's either a problem with the x220, or with MY x220 or one of its parts.

Is it at all possible that this may be due to a faulty battery?  I ask because I am also experiencing occasional random hibernation where the OS apparently has been told that battery level is critical (but where it is, in fact, nowhere near that).  This second issue is a known problem that another user once posted about--but I don't believe a resolution was ever published.

Honestly, as much as I love this laptop, I may end up needing to return it if this sort of thing continues without a logical resolution.

[gan Guru]

>Is it at all possible that this may be due to a faulty battery?

It's hard to say for sure with computers since a lot of strange things can happen, but i doubt that a faulty battery could cause such a problem and only when using the Ultraslim 90w adapter. You could try to remove the battery while the ultraslim adapter is connected to see if that makes a difference.

-gan

[OtherSteve]

I actually can't believe I didn't think of that, gan.  And I'm a computer technician of many years, too!

I will most certainly try this tomorrow once I've got access to the adapters again (they're currently boxed up and ready to be returned--two of them.

Thanks!  Anyone else have any input?

[OtherSteve]

Okay--so this is getting stranger yet.  When I went today to plug in and disconnect the battery, I noticed that the issue was not occurring even with the battery attached.  I have tested this four or five times already and have still had issues--but today, it all seems to be working well.

Here's why this makes no sense:

• I tested with two different 90w UltraSlim AC Adapters.
• I tested on four different wall outlets in two different homes.
• I tested with and without the Lenovo Power Manager software installed.
• I tested before and after the Power Manager driver was reinstalled and updated.

The issue still occurred under all of the above conditions.  But today, it's seemingly gone.

Does anyone have any clue as to what would be the best steps to take next?  Should I still call Lenovo and open up a case about possible battery or charging issues, or should I just leave it be?

Thanks again to all for their input.

-Steve