Sitting there with my laptop when black smoke started pouring from where the power lead plugs in. I pulled the plug out and the smoke stopped but the metal part stayed in. I have now removed this. I used it on battery for a while and then shut it down. Is this likely to be just the power cord or someting more critical?
How easy are new power cords to buy?.

Was your power adaptor connected to your laptop when the smoke appeared ?
I've had this happen to me a couple of times. Replacement adaptor may be the answer - depends on the make of laptop,but my Medion's had to be obtained from them,whereas there are "universal" power adaptors you can get from places like Maplin(if Maplin have a branch in Amsterdam) which are suitable for most makes.

Yes it was.
For a few months now it sometimes stopped working and I had to twist the lead where it plugged in to make it work. Must gave been a loose wire.
It is an HP laptop.
Maybe I'll go into some computer shops and try to get a new one. Guess I was lucky I was in the room at the time.

It is a bit scary when you smell the burning and then smoke appears.
I expect it's the result of laptops being used for long periods at a time while connected to the power adaptor, and the adaptor just overheating.
I find the lead from my laptop to the power adaptor frequently loosens usually due to my own movement,so I'm working off the battery if I don't notice immediately that the green light isn't on.

The first time it happened to me,my laptop was out of warranty and it cost me over £50 to replace it.
What was particularly frustrating was that Medion insisted they could only accept orders online,which I couldn't do as I only had the one laptop.
I had to get someone to order it for me online. The Universal type are much cheaper.

The last one to produce smoke did so while under a 3 year warranty,so Medion replaced it FOC without hassle

They're all made in China,thus contributing to global pollution/warming.

It was quite scary.
The adapter is in 2 parts. The part with the power unit part plugs into the mains and then a smaller lead plugs into the laptop and the power unit. It is the smaller part that burnt.

My apologies,I was distracted while I was typing this - what I meant was that it's the lead from the mains which plugs into the power adaptor that frequently comes loose.

It's from the 2 pins in the power adaptor that burning and smoke has emerged in my case.
The lead from the power adaptor to the laptop isn't a "plug-in",but is a fixed one on my power adaptor.
This lead then plugs into a socket on the side of my laptop,on the end of which a green light appears when connected.

So it would seem that your power adaptor is of a different design to mine.

Probably that's why I have to go to Medion for a replacement,and can't use a "Universal" adaptor.
When it first happened,a pal of mine brought round a spare universal adaptor he had,but it wouldn't work.

As you suggested,your best bet is to visit a computer repair shop or electronics store,preferably taking the burnt out adaptor/lead with you and your laptop too if it's not too heavy,so you can check before you buy that it works.

Thankfully,in both our experiences the theory that there's no smoke without fire has been disproved

I'm surprised it can happen though.
Not sure what would have happened if I was not there

Interesting thread

My story (if it's of interest / relevance):

Got 2 laptops at the mo. Bought an e-machine around 3 years ago and a Packard bell around 4 months ago. Conveniently enough, both laptops are happy to use each other's adapter! Must say, I'd never heard of universal adapters and a neighbour did once ask to borrow one of mine - forget what their laptop was, but neither of mine fitted their laptop.

My first laptop (a £1k Toshiba - 1998 prices ) got rain damage when I left a skylight open during typhoon season (like a fool - needless to say this was when I lived in Tokyo). After drying everything out, I found the battery had blown. After that, I always had problems with the power lead (though never saw smoke - thankfully!). When I returned to UK, bought a replacement battery (that blew ) and took the machine in for repairs.

The guy said he'd "done some soldering" but that I should still be very gentle with the machine. Needless to say, with time (around 12 months) the old problem gradually returned.

Sounds like your machine could be on its last legs too. (I hasten to add that with the original damage of 2002, the machine was still usable even up until I got rid of it in 2008ish. It could just be a pain in the arse though, writing away - with no battery back up - and then the power comes loose... )

Had to end up ordering a replacement from HP direct.
60 bloomin' Euros!!
Hopefully be here by Thursday or Friday if the storms don't blow the postman away.

Usually matching the model number on amazon or ebay is good enough though you've bought it now albeit from HP themselves.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from= ... aptop+lead
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_nos ... &x=11&y=11

New adapter recieved and plugged in.
Laptop charging and no smoke.

Sorry I didn't respond surprised, only seeing this update made me notice there was a message.

May not have been much use given your location as you suggest

Glad all is sorted

No worries Tricky
I think the overheating of the cord was due to it being plugged in permantly for 2 years!