New NP900X3E with bad power connector

Just got a brand new NP900X3E and am experiencing intermittent a/c power connection.
Slight rotation of the right-angle male connector causes the power to fail.
I noticed this while trying to do a BIOS update, it told me that I had to be plugged into power,
and I thought I was!

I am assuming that this is an ongoing issue due to space constraints with such a thin chassis.

Is this correct, or has this issue been previously corrected, and I am just "lucky" with this new one?

Am guessing there is no remedy other than refund, since I won't send a brand new unit for repair?

(John, please feel free to hurl this into a more appropriate sub-thread)

 

I have the same policy. A severe defect like that is an automatic return.

 

I have read more than a few threads about defective power connectors on Series 9's, but:

is this truly a common failure on the last several series of this notebook, or a more infrequent occurrence?

 

Yeah, that sucks aamsel: Getting a nice new machine like that and having to send it back right away. I agree, though: Don't delay, just get the swap done.

John is on holiday, and I am trying to keep up with traffic here so he can get a proper and deserved break.

Like you, I DO remember a few incidents of broken or loose power sockets -- admittedly a few of them on Series 9, but that could be a coincidence. (The last one I remember is this -- a Series 7 after an accident. Check that picture, ouch!)

I'd just get that swap going. It's a great machine, you were just unlucky with that particular unit.

 

The usual cause of the Series 9 power connection problems is that users haven't pushed the plug in enough. There should be no more than about 1mm of the metal barrel visible. There is a noticeable click when the plug is pushed in fully.

John

 

Dont take this the wrong way, but... are you positive you have plugged it in correctly. On alot of new 900s you really have to put alot of pressure to get it to "click" in. I've gotten serveral "brand new" ones in for repair where the only problem was that the customer didnt realise you actually had to get it to click in place.. and to do so you have to use more force than you would think you would need.

I find It strange, as the dc-in design on the new series 9 is outstanding, unlike its predecessor.

EDIT: And Ratsey beat me to it

 

The first models of the Series 9 machines had an engineering defect. The 900X3A's were notorious for having broken power plugs due to the weak design. That was addressed in the current design of the Series 9 so the number of reports has almost been zero. Sounds like someone didn't do something right at the factory when yours was built.

 

Apparently it was a short in the male, right angle plug from the power brick, and NOT the female power connector on the chassis.
I got the store to swap out a new power brick from a sealed S9, and it seems to be working fine to this point.
We compared to the original which immediately showed the failure, back to the new one which worked.
So, perhaps the problem is solved.

The new one seems to be from a different manufacturer.

And, YES, I do know how to properly plug in the male plug until it clicks!

Thanks!