IBM A/C Adapter

4 or 5 years is prolly a reasonable normal-use lifespan for that sorta thing. Given the sparks and smoke error message you mentioned, along with the other symptoms you listed, I'd say that adapter's days are done. A manufacturer's OEM direct replacement, if available, likely will be pretty pricey. Any number of generic equivalents are available - just do a websearch for "IBM Laptop AC Adapter" ... you'll prolly get hundreds, if not thousands, of hits. Odds are you'll find several which specifically list compatibility with your exact particular machine. Try to ascertain the voltage/amperage and polarity requirememts of your laptop, then pick a replacement that equals or exceeds that spec.

Thanks for the information.

Well, I went out and bought a new A/C adapter and then used it. Good! The computer then worked. So, after I used the computer, I turned it off and then, decided...well I need it agains, so I'll turn it on.

Guess what? Laptop wouldn't power on, just like when I used the old A/c
adapter. So the problem isn't in the adapter and must be in the computer itself. Looks like if I wait 12-24 hours and then try to power up, there's no problem.

Could some kind of electrical discharge be involved?

Sounds like the power inlet jack on the 'puter might be faulty, but that's a guess. Prolly oughtta haul the puppy to a repair shop ... which may call for running a cost beneft analysis comparing fixing it to replacing it.

Yeah! We're talking about an aging computer. My first visit to the SHOP cost me $50 and nothing much was accomplished. Then the A/C adapter was $44.

I'm thinking I'll charge up the battery and see, if when I operate with a fully charged battery, and not use the A/C adapter, if I can power up, right after I shut the computer off.

Another possibility is to use the computer with A/C adapter and when finished, turn the computer off and leave off till next day. I'll just use my other computer.