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    Inspiron 9300 shipped with wrong power adapter, Dell claims it's normal!

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by Jim Shaffer, Oct 29, 2005.

  1. Jim Shaffer

    Jim Shaffer Newbie

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    I just received my Inspiron 9300 yesterday. (Ordered Thursday night on the $650-off, free overnight shipping special, right before they bumped up the CPU in the ready-to-ship model but...) It's my first Dell system, but not my first laptop. When I turned it on, I got a BIOS message stating that a 65 watt power supply wasn't optimal and that certain things would be disabled. As far as I can tell, this disabling consists of running the CPU at 800 MHz instead of 1.73 GHz. Everything else seems to work, and if I unplug the adapter the system runs at full speed on the battery.

    I contacted them via the "missing or wrong order" form, since the "chat" form wouldn't recognize my service tag for some reason. They replied that that was the adapter they normally shipped! This is ridiculous. Surely I'm not the only person in the world who uses a laptop for a desktop replacement, especially now that the Pentium M is closing the performance gap. Furthermore, the label on the bottom of the computer plainly states that it requires 4.62 amps, and the adapter is labeled as providing 3.34 amps.

    Anyway, they said that they wouldn't exchange the adapter for me, but they would let me keep it and give me $50 off the price of a different one. I looked at their website and an adapter listed as a 90 watt adapter for the Inspiron 9300 was selling for $55. This didn't seem too bad except that it was listed with a ship time of 1 to 2 weeks. But then I started looking further. In the technical specifications, it states that it provides 4.5 amps "maximum at 4-second pulse" and the continuous rating was 3.5 amps. I refer you again to the 4.62 amp rating on the computer.

    I emailed them back to ask if they could confirm that this was indeed the correct adapter. The label on the computer states that it takes a model PA-10 or PA-12. I have the PA-12, but I can't find the PA-10 on the website. (For that matter, I can't find the PA-12.) I'm waiting on their reply, but how do I know I can trust them? And why would anyone sell the system with an inadequate adapter in the first place, and if they're really doing this, why don't I see anyone else complaining about it?
     
    Jim Shaffer, Oct 29, 2005
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  2. cycloneguy2618

    cycloneguy2618 Notebook Deity

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    Did you try calling them, and maybe talking with a different rep? You could always say they could have the laptop back, or they could send you a new adapter HAHA. Somethings wrong. Seems like maybe they don't have any, and they don't want to fool with it, and just stuck the one they had available in the box.
     
    cycloneguy2618, Oct 29, 2005
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  3. JustJimDelany

    JustJimDelany Notebook Consultant

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    I just looked at mine and it is indead a pa-10. I get no errors. I agree with DellGuy, tell them send the right one or rma.
     
    JustJimDelany, Oct 30, 2005
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  4. Keops

    Keops Newbie

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    Just to maybve help you out, received mine is September, here's what is says:

    90W-AC Adapter
    PA-10 Family
    Model NADP-90KB A
    P/N: C2894

    Output 4.62A

    Sounds like you really don't have the right one.

    Keops
     
    Keops, Oct 30, 2005
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  5. RushFan

    RushFan Newbie

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    I got my 9300 2 weeks ago and received a PA-10 with it. I'd call Dell again and demand the correct power supply.
     
    RushFan, Oct 30, 2005
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  6. hizd4life

    hizd4life Notebook Enthusiast

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    pa-10 for me too...
     
    hizd4life, Oct 30, 2005
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  7. zoAr

    zoAr Notebook Enthusiast

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    PA-10 here.
     
    zoAr, Oct 30, 2005
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  8. X24

    X24 Notebook Evangelist

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    PA-10 4.62
    looks like u have the wrong powersupply, or a worse one atleast...........

    i'd call dell and tell them that if they don't send the right supply that u'll rma and buy an HP. that will make them give u the right one.
     
    X24, Oct 30, 2005
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  9. Jim Shaffer

    Jim Shaffer Newbie

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    Another rep contacted me today and said that they'll send me the correct adapter for free. I just hope that whoever gets the job of shipping it actually gets the right one this time...
     
    Jim Shaffer, Oct 30, 2005
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  10. smiles233

    smiles233 Notebook Enthusiast

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    delllllllllllllllllllllllllllll !!! :) lol
     
    smiles233, Oct 31, 2005
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  11. Jim Shaffer

    Jim Shaffer Newbie

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    I got my PA-10 adapter today by overnight courier and everything is working fine. I'm still upset that the first rep I talked to didn't know what he was talking about though.
     
    Jim Shaffer, Nov 1, 2005
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  12. shortstuf4life

    shortstuf4life Notebook Enthusiast

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    wut the... mine says PA-12 Family, but I have a 6000. is that normal?
     
    shortstuf4life, Nov 1, 2005
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  13. nickspohn

    nickspohn Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    Yes...
    He has the 9300
    If your power cord is working, everything is absolutly fine.
     
    nickspohn, Nov 1, 2005
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  14. shortstuf4life

    shortstuf4life Notebook Enthusiast

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    but mine says Input 4.62 amps too
     
    shortstuf4life, Nov 1, 2005
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  15. nickspohn

    nickspohn Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    Dont worry about, its super super rare for dell to send then wrong adapter, i didnt think it was possible even but now i know. Stop worrying man, everything is going to be great, dont worry now! We can always help. :)
     
    nickspohn, Nov 1, 2005
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  16. I23

    I23 Notebook Geek

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    Tell Dell we're watching them closely...
     
    I23, Nov 2, 2005
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  17. conghelach

    conghelach Notebook Consultant

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    the Dell 9300 is supposed to have a 90 watt powersupply, talk to someone else at Dell, this guy you talked to is full of poo poo. You need the 90 watt power supply.
     
    conghelach, Nov 17, 2005
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