The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Power Cord

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by CuriousN, May 2, 2009.

  1. CuriousN

    CuriousN Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    359
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    My power cord failed, the wiring got completely messed up on both sides of the power brick. I'm trying to get a new one, maybe something from a different brand, so it lasts longer.
    What is the standard for power connectors for notebooks? Is it just the diameter? I have a gateway notebook but the chords from fujitsu work with it as well.
     
    CuriousN, May 2, 2009
    #1
  2. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

    Reputations:
    1,654
    Messages:
    5,955
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    I would just use the visual test and see if the cord is solid and not cheap looking :D

    cheers ...
     
    qhn, May 2, 2009
    #2
  3. built

    built Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    108
    Messages:
    825
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Are you talking about the cord between the adapter and the plug?

    Or is it the part that includes the power tip that plugs into your laptop?
    Laptop specific cords with the proper power tip are easily found on Ebay.
     
    built, May 2, 2009
    #3
  4. CuriousN

    CuriousN Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    359
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    i need the whole thing, cord and brick.
    how can i be sure that the tip will work with my notebook, besides ordering the cord that is specified for my notebook?
     
    CuriousN, May 2, 2009
    #4
  5. built

    built Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    108
    Messages:
    825
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    You have to ensure that the cord advertised is designed for your laptop. While the brick and the remainder of the cord is generally standard amongst most laptops, the tips are not interchangeable, and a single manufacturer usually has several different tips within their own product line, ie. a tip for an HP DV5T does not fit an HP DV5000.

    Go to Ebay, and put in your model number along with the word "adapter." You should get several hits for most laptops.

    Alternatively, you can also go to the manufacturer's website or do a google search.

    Good luck. You should probably have no difficulty finding a compatible cord with the right tip.
     
    built, May 2, 2009
    #5
  6. CuriousN

    CuriousN Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    359
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    aren't there any standards for the tips? most parts are standardized.
     
    CuriousN, May 2, 2009
    #6
  7. built

    built Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    108
    Messages:
    825
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Nope. Even though SOME tips might be interchangeable, you would have to go through a seeminglessly endless number of tips to find two different computers from two different manufacturers that use tips that could be used interchangeably. Also, many computers from the SAME manufacturer use different types of tips.

    For example, my Lenmar external battery comes with, perhaps, 25 different types of tips for different computers.

    There is no standard in the computer industry for power tips which makes it really difficult if you were to look for, let's say, an auto-air adapter for the HP DV5T like I was several months ago. Most auto-air adapters on the market had a tip for what seemed like every other computer on the planet other than the HP DV5T.
     
    built, May 2, 2009
    #7
  8. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

    Reputations:
    1,654
    Messages:
    5,955
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Nothing beats an OEM replacement. It is not worth to get an universal or 3rd party replacement part on the ac adapter.

    cheers ...
     
    qhn, May 2, 2009
    #8
  9. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    7,197
    Messages:
    28,841
    Likes Received:
    2,166
    Trophy Points:
    581
    Companies such as Belkin, iGo and Kensington make universal PSUs which come with different power tips and you can check tip compatibility on their websites.

    I recently got a Kensington PSU which works fine with my Dell E6400 inspite of Dell using the centre pin on the connector to detect the PSU rating.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, May 2, 2009
    #9
  10. zimbros12

    zimbros12 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    276
    Messages:
    1,059
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    56
    zimbros12, May 4, 2009
    #10