AboutShot Expertise I can answer most questions concerning Microsoft operating systems from DOS through Windows 2003. Hardware or software questions welcome. This is what I do for a living, and I love it! So instead of giving extra to Uncle Sam, I decided to give a little for free. Fire away!
Experience I have been working with computers for over 20 years, currently hold a full time job as a Network Administrator for large financial institution, and run my own PC/Network consulting company since 1998.
Education/Credentials Microsoft Certified;
Novell Certified;
Comptia A Certified;
IBM Certified Business Partner in Desktops/Laptops/Servers;
HP Certified Technician Desktops/Laptops/Servers;
Toshiba Authorized Service Technician;
I have a roughly 2 year old Inspiron e1505 (a freebie from one of those credit-card transfers, so a great deal!)
My only major complaint about it is that in the time i've owned it I've had to replace the AC adapter 5 or 6 times because they just stop working.
When it was under warantee, Dell would just ship me a new one; now that it's not, it is threatening my pocket book.
Basically the AC adapter would just stop working on it's own. I'm gentle with them (though I do move them around, as this is a laptop), and wrap the cords the proper way and always plug them into a properly grounded outlet. But then they'd just die. Sometimes they'd cease charging my battery (which I've replaced), so that my laptop had to be plugged in at all times to be used (not so useful). If they did this, they'd eventually just stop working (the green light on the adapter itself would stop turning on, except maybe a very faint glimmer spark when initially pugging it into the wall.
Finally I got an off-brand AC Adapter, and it works...okay...but when I plug it into my computer, it makes this high-pitched (but quiet) squealing noise, and after a while my touchpad stops working properly (it behaves like the button is being clicked non-stop, so actually using it becomes impossible) until I unplug the AC adapter. Then if I plug it back in, it's about 50/50 that the problem goes away. Otherwise I'll leave it be for a bit and try again, running on battery for a while (which now never seems to charge above 60%).
So...what gives? Got any ideas? I'd rather not put this baby out to pasture yet, she's been good to me...
-J.M.J. West
Answer Hi, I've seen all kinds of problems with aftermarket generic adapters, ranging from batteries not charging to fires. I would recommend buying the original Dell replacement. They're usually available on eBay. Barring that, you could try a high quality aftermarket, but they're usually more expensive than the originals.
As far as it burning out quickly, see if this is one of the models that Dell upgraded. They often have two or three different power ratings. Try upgrading to a larger one.
