oggys,

Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.

The plug that goes into your system is proprietary to Dell.  Dell does not sell just the plug, and it is my understanding that no one else can sell the plug.

I am sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you.

 

Thanks, I must admit it really hacks me off to pay so much for a simple thing like a plug.

I second that notion.  This really is disappointing that one cannot simply buy the $3 dollar plug at Radio Shack and solder a new one on the end of a perfectly good power supply.

Mine has lasted for three years but the insulation is broken and the shielding is starting to fray.  I fear that it won't be long before it shorts out and takes the laptop with it.

I read where others have purchased an entire power supply.  Is there no other solution?

If I buy a power supply, will it have an improved design that won't go bad again?

Reading through these boards I find many references to this type of FAILURE at the plug end of the adapter. Several peeps are saying it's a manufacturing flaw, there are also cases where DELL have replaced the power adapter et-al FOC where the system is still in warranty...perhaps something to think about? (return under warranty obviously not an option for you tho' rradina)
BTW perhaps you should add your post to this thread...?
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_power&message.id=19037

Message Edited by bluetracker on 11-06-2003 03:27 PM

Last night I ordered a new PS for $31 from laptoptravel.com.  I'm not overly worried about whether or not Dell replaces it.  I do have to admit that it is a very poor design.  However, I would be completely satisifed if Dell offered me a proprietary plug.  I'd even pay a reasonable fee for it.  It's so wasteful to spend $31 when my existing PS is perfectly good.

Even now, I'm not experiencing issues with the PS or plug.  However, after reading about the risks of potentially causing a short circuit and either burning out the PS or the motherboard, I decided to replace it.