hm, looks like the charger died

well I lived to see that happen as well as today our Dell D630's charger (65W) did not work when plugged (~ 4-year-old). The GF said she's been having problems with it in the past couple weeks, and I've noticed it tends to heat up more than my Lenovo 90W when working (the 65W Lenovo one is running cooler as well).

do you all have had laptop chargers die before ?

 

I've only had one PA-10 die on my for my Vostro 1500. I replaced it with a PA-E3 slim 90 watt AC adapter, been good. I don't like the PA-10 as it is too fat to carry around.

 

I've had a couple chargers die personally. I think it's a pretty common occurrence. I would definitely recommend you buy a replacement directly from Dell, though - the last time I had a charger die I replaced it with a generic charger and I ended up having to RMA the replacement three times before I got one that worked for more than a week.

 

this one is PA-12 rev: A00

 

Well PA-12 is the 65 watt AC adapter, PA-10 is 90 watt. I'd prefer the 90 watt as it's not that much more than the 65 and it'll be cooler. Just google PA-3E and get it online.

 

^ Thanks for the part number, I just ordered one from ebay for 20 bux, hope it works fine (PA-3E)

 

Whats the slim 65w? those things are tiny, like a little notepad.

 

That's odd. To throw out my experience, I've ordered 4 or 5 for as cheap as I could find on eBay (straight outta Asia) and all are still living and performing well.
None came with the required outlet-adapter cable (clover style) though, but who was I to complain for $8?

 

I think that's his point: there's no assurance of quality. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. You were lucky, and he wasn't.