Need help with AC adapter issue.

So I just got my xps m1330 tonight from the Dell outlet. All looks good as I open the case. Open the adapter (brick piece) and it's a 90w as specified when I bought it. Then I open the adaptor cord that goes from the wall into the brick and notice that it is only a two prong model and the 90w brick has three prongs! So i'm on the phone with xps support now trying to get the right cord. I do have an old piece like this from an HP laptop which plugs into a three prong adapter but it came from a 65w adaptor that powered the HP lappie. Will I be ok to use this old HP cord with my 90w dell adapter until my new piece arrives? I don't want to fry the laptop or ruin the battery. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

I wouldn't recommend it, it's always a good idea to use parts that are made for their components. It would probably work, but I personally would never do it.

 

Dang, if I can't use that then I have to wait until Dell ships me the new part. Talk about frustrating...sitting here with my new laptop beside me and I can't use it!

 

I just wish I knew whether or not this would cause any issues with the laptop. I know power adapters are a dime a dozen so I would think they are very similar and I may be ok?

 

The HP cable should be okay. If you don't feel comfortable trying it, just wait for the other one to come in. Or you may check with a meter. The middle line should be connected to the ground prong. PA-10 has both 2 prongs and 3 prongs. I have one of each. One is grey and the other one black.

 

As long as it won't totally fry the computer I'm willing to give it a shot. I don't have a meter (and really have no clue about that) so that's a nogo. What do you mean when you say PA-10 has both 2 prongs and 3 prongs? You mean there is a 2 prong version and a 3 prong version of the PS-10, both 90w?

 

Yes. I got one for my D510 at work and one for my own Vostro 1400.

 

Ok, curretly there are three and two prong variants of the Dell 90 watt adapter. I think Dell decided to cut the third prong in order to save costs, but that resulted in 1330 and 1530 users getting shocked due to improper grounding with the two prong adapter.

So now Dell is shipping three prong adapters again. You have a three prong adapter and a two prong cable; this should function like a two prong adapter with a two prong cable. Any two prong cable should work, whether it be the Dell cable or an HP cable; the cable itself is just two wires going to an outlet.

The only problem you might encounter is the aforementioned shocking problem, which shouldn't damage your hardware, but is good to avoid if possible. That being said, you should be patient and await the three prong cable, but nothing bad should happen if you try otherwise.

Or at least that's my understanding of this whole two prong/three prong mess.