I suck!

[enismirdal]

OK, so some months ago the AC power jack on my laptop came loose and the laptop battery wasn't charging properly. Rather than doing the sensible thing and troubleshooting it, I initially assumed it was an AC adaptor problem and ordered a new one. Adaptor arrived and, of course, the problem persisted. Luckily I was able to summon Dell tech support to come round and they dismantled the laptop, fitted a new casing that clipped the jack in properly (yes, a tiny bit of plastic had snapped and that was the sum of the problem).

I realised my original adaptor was fine, put the spare one in a drawer and forgot about it.

Fast-forward to yesterday, when I suddenly realised my laptop had been running off battery for the last half-hour and couldn't work out why. The circuit-breaker hadn't tripped for my room. Everything was plugged in firmly where it was supposed to be. I unplugged the power adaptor, plugged it back in and the little light didn't go on and it whistled. Oh dear. Adaptor kaput.

So I decided to shut down the computer and order a new adaptor in the morning (spending money on electronics after 2 pints of beer not the best idea, I decided).

As adaptors don't magically heal overnight, when this morning came around I ordered myself a new adaptor.

And then my flatmates reminded me of the one I still had. In my drawer. From the power jack incident.

D'oh. Adaptor was retrieved. Order was cancelled. Eni felt like a nelly. But at least I can still use my lovely computer.

Comments

[cobalt-skye.livejournal.com]

That's interesting- how long have you had the laptop for? My Dell (about three years old) is rather reluctant to charge it's battery at times, which means taking the battery out, blowing on it and replacing it. I suspect I also have a loose connection somewhere...

[enismirdal.livejournal.com]

This Dell is a year old. Battery is fine - has about 3 hours' life in it, has barely degraded compared to when it was brand new. In fact, the electronics of the laptop itself are all beautiful. Just the adaptor that died. And the plastic clip holding the jack snapped (which did mean that I had to wiggle the plug a LOT to get it charging). Typical that the only time I had to have a repair man out was for a tiny bit of plastic snapping.