adaptor replacement
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dell inspiron
dell sucks
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inspiron
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power adaptor
I'm so mad! My Power Adaptor for my Dell 1100 Inspiron needs replacing again!
By schulzie
@schulzie (4061)
United States
August 31, 2008 5:16am CST
I am so mad! I need to get yet another AC power adaptor for my Dell Inspiron 1100 laptop! This is the poorest design for a battery cord I have ever seen! I have replaced my cord once a year for the last three years!
I take meticulous care of my laptop and still the cord became frayed and separated into pieces just right below where it plugs into the computer! This is ridiculous that it breaks every year! Not only that, but it is bulky, heavy, and overheats so much that you cannot touch the actual adaptor part for more than a few seconds before it actually hurts to touch it!
I really think that they designed it this way on purpose to make more money! I went to the Dell website and they are charging $69.99 plus shipping for a replacement one! As it is the cheapest option is eBay and that is around $23.00 for the cheapest one I can find! I tell you this - the next laptop I buy will NOT be a Dell!
I wish I had enough money to buy a new laptop from someone else. Shoot, in all the money I've wasted on defective power cords I could have almost gotten another computer!
I just really needed to get it off my chest and wondered if anyone else out there has had this same issue??
Have a nice day and happy myLotting!!!
I take meticulous care of my laptop and still the cord became frayed and separated into pieces just right below where it plugs into the computer! This is ridiculous that it breaks every year! Not only that, but it is bulky, heavy, and overheats so much that you cannot touch the actual adaptor part for more than a few seconds before it actually hurts to touch it!
I really think that they designed it this way on purpose to make more money! I went to the Dell website and they are charging $69.99 plus shipping for a replacement one! As it is the cheapest option is eBay and that is around $23.00 for the cheapest one I can find! I tell you this - the next laptop I buy will NOT be a Dell!
I wish I had enough money to buy a new laptop from someone else. Shoot, in all the money I've wasted on defective power cords I could have almost gotten another computer!
I just really needed to get it off my chest and wondered if anyone else out there has had this same issue??
Have a nice day and happy myLotting!!!5 people like this
11 responses
@Serratos24 (8)
• United States
31 Aug 08
you should call DELL, its better paying more, cause it would have warrenty
4 people like this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
31 Aug 08
My lap top is a Compaq and my pc is and HP and I have never had that trouble
Now when I had a dell the first 2 weeks worked finr then the processor went out they sent wrong part and had to resend. took them 4 weeks to get me up and running agin grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr . that one is gone now!
2 people like this
@rogue13xmen13 (14403)
• United States
1 Sep 08
My boyfriend has an HP desktop and he has not had any problems with it since he has had it, and he bought his the same time I had bought my Dell, and I have had more problems with my Dell than he has had with his HP.
2 people like this
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
31 Aug 08
Oh, man! I feel so sorry for you! I will also feel sorry for my husband when he comes to me with this complaint! He just bought a new Dell laptop.
I know what you are saying about the adaptor being very big and bulky! I've never seen anything like it before! Someone in his office said that they would not be buying a Dell BECAUSE of that power cord, or he'd need a wheelbarrow to cart it around!
The only thing I could suggest is to wrap a LOT of electrical tape around the cord where it usually frays; maybe stabilizing it with something like popsicle sticks on both sides before wrapping the electrical tape around it. That MAY make it useable for a little longer before it, too, frays. I know it will look ugly but, personally, I'd rather have ugly than useless.
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
31 Aug 08
Thanks for the advice, I think I might just do that to support the cord. I know they make it flimsy on purpose.
I already tried the electrical tape last time but not the popsicle sticks. I think the splint idea actually might help to stabilize the area. Great idea. Either that or chopsticks.
Thanks again!
I already tried the electrical tape last time but not the popsicle sticks. I think the splint idea actually might help to stabilize the area. Great idea. Either that or chopsticks.
Thanks again!2 people like this
@Barb42 (4214)
• United States
1 Sep 08
Sounds like those particular power cords are just faulty. I have a Dell Inspiron 8500 that I bought from my son. He had it for 3 years and I've had it 2 1/2 years. I am still using the original power cord. I would buy another Dell in a second. But I hate that you are having such a bad experience. Have you talked to Dell support about the problems you've had with that cord?
2 people like this
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
1 Sep 08
Yes, they know abou the problem. As a matter of fact it is on one of the links on the Dell website where people have reviewed the adaptors and have complained and rated them terrible. Dell does not seem to care one bit. Customer service did not really care either.
1 person likes this
@Munchkin547 (2778)
•
1 Sep 08
Hi! this must be really annoying for you! i'd write to dell and let them know about the problem! I've got a Dell 1000 inspiron and my power charger doesn't seem to be working properly either, it will only connect intermittently which means my battery keeps dying while i'm trying to use it, so maybe this is a common problem with dell computers! I hope you get a new one sorted without too much expense! xxx
2 people like this
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
1 Sep 08
See? I think there are many of us out there who have the same issue. Mine was wobbly as well! It is so aggravating! So I wonder if the 1000 has the same issue with the 1100? I wonder how similar they are? I am going the eBay route. Good luck to you with your situation too. Mine was wobbly too at the plug area so sometimes it charged when it felt like it.
I also had to shove something or I also taped it in place with electrical tape! It worked sometimes to keep it securely in there.
Man, I am never buying Dell again!
2 people like this
@Munchkin547 (2778)
•
1 Sep 08
Yeah that's exactly the problem im having! i've got some bandaging tape holding it on at the moment!! very very annoying though!! It must be something that is common with dells, which is bad, you'd think they would get it sorted, especially on a product that is lots of money to buy!! It's a shame there are so many of us that are having these problems, i hope you guys can get it sorted, i think i'm just going to have to buy a new cable!! xxx
1 person likes this
@soyporteno (406)
• United States
1 Sep 08
It is so annoying. Before it started to fray, etc. another problem is that is sort of toggles in the plug area where it connects to the computer so sometimes it charges and other times not. Is the issue you are having? It sounds like it to me. I had to put something up against the plug to "hold it in place" so it would charge the laptop. Have you had any success with that route? Thanks. I wish you luck with your 1000 too!
2 people like this
@krkchn (160)
• Philippines
1 Sep 08
Wow, they do charge a lot. Your the first person i have heard to replace the cord three times in three years. I wouldn't think Dell would produce products that bad. Could it be that the plug is located beside the exhaust? Rubber materials easily becomes brittle with the combination of moist and heat.
2 people like this
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
1 Sep 08
It is the design of the plug and the cord itself. It is at an odd angle and becomes loose and/or gets frayed in that area. It is just a very poor design flaw. AND also the area is by the exhaust and gets very hot too. Again, a very poor design.
1 person likes this
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
1 Sep 08
i also use dell laptop... fortunately, i don't have any problem with my battery so far... but i have problem with my wifi when i first bought my laptop... but fortunately it is still during warranty period... so they fix it up for me for free... i don't have to pay anything... i hope you will be able to raise enough money to change your computer soon... good luck... take care and have a nice day...
1 person likes this
@penny64 (1106)
• Australia
2 Sep 08
I have had no problems with my Dell power cord, which is just as well, because EVERYTHING else about my Dell laptop sucks! Firstly, it forgets after a few minutes to give me sound, or that I have a printer or any other attachments. I have to reboot to print or listen to something. It's just as well the power cord is okay, because the battery lasts about two minutes when fully charged, and always has. I tried to get it replaced, but apparently Dell intends to recharge ME. In summer, the computer overheats and I get the blue screen like others here - everything unsaved is lost. Backups are often corrupted, and the screen saver requires you to basically tap dance on the keyboard so you can get your work back. I would never, ever again buy or recommend a Dell.
1 person likes this
@onlydia (2808)
• United States
1 Sep 08
Hey there how is it going bsides comp.? And Yes my girlfriend had hers start on fire. That is because she didn't replace the cord right away. Take it to apple see if they will give you a deal on swichting. They mite you never know. Or BestBuy. Take it back where you got it. There is something wrong that just don't sound right to me. I'm not good at that stuff. My son is I don't know how he does but he does. His ps3 broke he got a new one.
1 person likes this
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
4 Sep 08
Well, the laptop is over 5 years old so it is not under warranty and I can't take it back.
I am getting a new power cord off of eBay. Thanks for your suggestions. I've been fine. I am just not going to use it until I get the new one so no chance of a fire for me - thank goodness.
I am getting a new power cord off of eBay. Thanks for your suggestions. I've been fine. I am just not going to use it until I get the new one so no chance of a fire for me - thank goodness.1 person likes this
@bunzor (303)
•
1 Sep 08
I've had the exact same problem with my Acer adaptor. Definately get an adaptor from Ebay, they are the same thing at the end of the day. You're lucky though, $23 is cheap! When I replaced mine it cost £25/$50! And that was one of the cheapest I could find.
1 person likes this
@soyporteno (406)
• United States
31 Aug 08
Wow! I would complain to Dell. You had to replace it 3 times already? That really is awful! I wish you luck. Hopefully you will be able to replace your laptop next year before the adaptor wears out again. Sorry to hear about your problems with this.
