I received my Inspiron 9100 around the middle of April of this year (2004).  I use it daily and excessively... to the point of constantly needing to have the AC Adapter plugged in.  The cord that is physically attached to the brick (and plugs into the system) started to separate from the brick about three months ago.  As of this week, it has completely come free of the brick and is now a mass of exposed wires.  Obviously, this isn't a good thing.  I'm submitting a Technical Support issue, but was curious if this is a common failure of the power adapter.  Replacing it with another unit that will separate and fray in a few months does not sound like a long term solution.  Are there compatable adapters that are a big more rugged (and perhaps smaller and lighter) that are third-party options?

 

Thanks for any help.

 

-Me