Is it possible to purchase an adapter for a Dell Inspiron 1300 that actually works?

August 11, 2007 1:00 AM

Is it possible to purchase an adapter for a Dell Inspiron 1300 that actually works?

After a year, my adapter is on the fritz... specifically the part that plugs into the computer keeps phasing from connected to not connected... the slightest jiggling will do this. At first I thought it might be my fault (I had worn out an adapter on a Compaq I used to own, but that was after years of heavy use) It is not visibly damaged or twisted and I haven't used it excessively or roughly. I've now read online, on Dell's own website, that the product is defective (read all the horror stories of people replacing the product 3 or 4 times within a year) yet Dell refuses to do anything about it. So my question is, is there anything I can do, besides keep buying the damn thing every few months at $55 a pop? Does a competitor manufacturer make a compatible product that works better? BTW, I'm no longer under warranty.

posted by mahamandarava to computers & internet (7 comments total)

I am almost 100% sure that this is the power jack that is soldered to the motherboard. Every time the adapter that goes into your computer gets pulled, pushed, yanked, or anything else, you are causing the plug to come up from the motherboard. This may be more of an issue on the 1300s than other laptop for many reasons (usually crappy soldering).

In my experience, most plugs are soldered at four separate points. What is happening is that two of these points have probably come free from their solder. This is why when you move the cord to a certain position, the flow of electricity connects and you see your laptop charging. IMG

To resolve this, you are going to have to find somebody competent enough to open up your laptop and solder the plug back down to the motherboard. If done right, you should not have this problem again.
posted by B(oYo)BIES at 2:18 AM on August 11, 2007

If it is the power jack, and you don't want to solder it or manage to damage it, you can buy a new system board. I'd go with the solder though.
posted by BrotherCaine at 4:34 AM on August 11, 2007

I must apologize for, and explain, my last sentence. I went back and read it again, and it sounds like I am calling you incompetent, which I am definitely not.

"To resolve this, you are going to have to find somebody competent enough to open up your laptop and solder the plug back down to the motherboard. If done right, you should not have this problem again."

What I mean by this, is that you want to make sure you go with somebody that has experience with this exact repair. There are plenty of computer savvy people out there that are willing to "give it a shot" and some may even tell you they have done it before. You should be able to find a business or tech that will guarantee the work they do.
posted by B(oYo)BIES at 5:31 AM on August 11, 2007

I have had this problem, and while I am handy with a soldering iron, I did not own one at the time and opted to let someone else fix it. The best shop I found, explicitly mentioned on various websites for fixing this exact problem, was OK Computer Services in Boston, MA.

Their website is a bit cluttered, but they did a proper job. What impressed me was that they replaced the stock input jack with a slightly larger one that was properly mounted to the chassis, effectively preventing the problem from ever arising again.

OK Computer Services, if you opt to try it.
posted by ellF at 6:40 AM on August 11, 2007

Thanks for your responses, guys. Anyone have a recommendation for a repair shop or person in/near San Francisco?
posted by mahamandarava at 8:00 AM on August 11, 2007

Do you not still have an active warranty? On my Dells (I've had about 6 of them) I always buy the Complete Care Accidental Damage Service plan. Even if you don't have this currently, if you have ANY warranty (even the free standard one) still active on your device, you can call Dell and add it. Once it's in place, just call them and tell them you dropped your laptop, it landed on the plug (while plugged into the jack) and now the laptop won't charge. They'll then replace your motherboard (either you mail it to them, or they come to your house, depending on how much service coverage you paid for).

I have a 2 year old who has knocked my laptop off the couch/ottoman twice in the past year, damaging my power jack. Once, my Complete Care coverage was lapsed, and the tech told me to call the warranty department, add Complete Care back on, then call again. I did, and they fixed it within a day.

I have no idea how much a repair shop would charge to do the soldering, but if it's over $150 or so, the Dell Complete Care might be more cost effective.
posted by Bradley at 8:29 AM on August 11, 2007

You could buy cheaper adapters.
posted by blue_beetle at 9:36 AM on August 11, 2007