Plugged power adapter into wrong laptop, now adapter doesn't work?

I have a Dell Inspiron 1520 and my friend has a Latitude D820.

Tonight she accidentally plugged my power adapter into her laptop. A few hours later, she noticed that her laptop indicated that it wasn't plugged in, and that's when we realized that she had accidentally used my adapter instead of hers.

Now my adapter doesn't work at all. We've tried the adapter with both our laptops with different outlets with the same problem, so we know it's the adapter. The green light also doesn't come on when it's plugged in anymore.

Did plugging my adapter into her laptop somehow screw up my adapter, or could this just be a coincidence? Is there any way to fix the adapter or at least figure out what the problem is? And if I have to purchase a new adapter, do the universal ones they sell at retail electronics stores work OK? I would order one from Dell but I'm working on a project now and I don't have time to wait for it to ship.

 

fuse maybe?

You might have to crack that thing open.

At least your notebooks work, right?

 

Any idea how to open it properly? I'm trying to pry it open with a flathead screwdriver but I'm afraid I'm going to break it.

 

look on the net.

I'll have a look too and let you know if I find a good guide.

 

I think you should first check it with a DMM like this:
http://www.laptopparts101.com/ac-dc-power-adapter/comment-page-1/


here is an interesting link:
http://theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/

Used a hammer and a thin screwdriver.

It's not going to be pretty.

 

one way:
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another nice link:
http://repair4laptop.org/notebook_power_supply.html

 

The first link you posted said not to bother if the adapter breaks, they aren't repairable

I think I'm going to buy a new one, but I need it ASAP. Radio Shack sells universal laptop power adapters for $100, is there any reason not to just buy one of those? Can I get it a lot cheaper somewhere else? I found imitation adapters on eBay by typing in the part number, but they look pretty sketchy, I don't want to damage my laptop.

 

If the universal adapter has the right specs, go for it.

$100 sounds a bit high though.

 

How do I know if it has the right specs?

Sorry, I'm clueless when it comes to this stuff.

 

Same voltage and current (or maybe higher current).

I never had a universal adapter so I dont know how they are "universal"?
Maybe they have a variable voltage??

 

Hold on, hold on. The D820 and 1520 should use the same 90W adapter. If you look at the labels they should both have the same specs. Switching 'em shouldn't cause any problems; I'd say it's a coincidence that the adapter broke when it broke.

That being said, it's generally not practical and possibly a little dangerous to try and fix these things. I'd just buy the universal adapter if I were you. I've been using a Targus device to power some Dells on and off, and I've never had a problem with it.

Just make sure you get something that's officially compatible.

 

Yeah, I was thinking that it was odd that plugging my adapter into her laptop would damage my adapter and not her laptop. I guess it was just a coincidence, although a very strange one...

 

My friend lent me his universal power adapter so I can use my laptop for now, but I'm going to need to buy a new cord.

Is there any reason not to just buy something like this from eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-AC-Power-Ad...ZLaptop_Adapters_Chargers?hash=item3ef69170f7

Or do I really need to shell out $70+ for a "real" Dell adapter?