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    Left my Power Supply at home, can I use one from a different laptop?

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by oogabubchub, Jul 13, 2011.

  1. oogabubchub

    oogabubchub Notebook Guru

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    Hi guys,
    I've brought my M17x-R1 with me on a month long trip, but of course, I accidentally left the power brick at home. We have a Dell Studio laptop here with the power adapter.

    Is it OK to use the power supply on this laptop with my Alienware M17x?

    Here's the info on the Dell brick:
    Model No: LA90PS1-00
    Input: AC 100-240V-1.5A
    50-60Hz
    Output: DC 19.5V 4.62A
     
    oogabubchub, Jul 13, 2011
    #1
  2. everythingsablur

    everythingsablur Notebook Evangelist

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    That's a 90W adapter. For an M17x R1, I think you need either a 150W or a 240W adapter. That unit won't give you enough juice, especially if you're pushing your system.

    You can use other AC adapters, they just need to output the right voltage and amps, be able to supply enough power (watts), and have the correct pin/connector.
     
    everythingsablur, Jul 13, 2011
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  3. oogabubchub

    oogabubchub Notebook Guru

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    It is, indeed, a 90 watt power supply. Thanks for the info, looks like I'll have to wait to have someone mail mine out to me.
     
    oogabubchub, Jul 13, 2011
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  4. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    You actually need a Dell charger not just any charger that will provide the same frequency and intensity. As they use proprietary chips (eeprom) for the BIOS to recognise the charger.

    You can use the 150W if you really have a low config but with SLi/CF and extreme CPU you really need the 240W PSU.

    Cheers
     
    katalin_2003, Jul 13, 2011
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  5. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    Ya as the others have stated, see if you can find a 150 watt brick. Otherwise you'll experience really bad throttling, fry that adapter or possibly both.
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Jul 13, 2011
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  6. everythingsablur

    everythingsablur Notebook Evangelist

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    Really? That's pretty high tech for a power brick. There are third party chargers on the market that must skirt this issue somehow. I've always been able to find third-party power adapters for laptops, other than for newer Apple laptops with MagSafe.
     
    everythingsablur, Jul 13, 2011
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  7. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    Trust me you won't as they have to own the same eeprom with the same functions, There's no other way at the moment to bypass chrager-laptop 'comunication'.
    Again, get the 150W Dell adapter only if you're not running a dual GPU setup and Extreme CPU.
     
    katalin_2003, Jul 13, 2011
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  8. TraptPatriot

    TraptPatriot Notebook Consultant

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    Do NOT use other chargers! If you want to burn out your system/battery if the power spikes or your computer tries to do to much, serious damage can occur.
     
    TraptPatriot, Jul 13, 2011
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  9. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    The system won't be affected unless you plug a really big PSU but you find that with the same plug as the M17x. In any case using a non Dell charger , the system won't even bother letting your battery get charged or power your laptop.
     
    katalin_2003, Jul 13, 2011
    #9