ATTN: All Dell 9400/e1705/m1710/m90 owners!!! - Page 16

also guys...if ur past the 21 days..most of the time they will send you a used replacement...not a brand new replacement...unless u get lucky..

I have had the same issues with my 9400, Dell sent out a replacement last week for the problem and it arrived with a 2 prong plug again so I knew off the bat it wouldn't be fixed (not complaining though, HD in the new one is faster :P).

I think I've found a fix, once DHL shows up with the package I will elaborate but it involves a power brick from another dell laptop model that happens to have the SAME voltage/amperage outputs, and it's 3 prong.

Alright, the power adapter that does the trick is the power adapter for the Inspiron 9300 (Dell part no. 310-6557). This is a 3 prong adapter rev. A03 and fixes the problem completely.

Also note that the part number mentioned on the previous page is NOT a 3 prong adapter, I ordered that the other day and it was a 2 prong (so I returned it). So if you get a 310-6557 it will cure the problem and it works perfectly on the 9400/E1705.

I dont know if you've read the whole thread....I had this problem solved halfway through this thread....

Dell sent me a new AC Adapter months ago. PA-1900-02D2 Rev A02

Its a 3-pin adapter, identical to the original 9400 one + the extra pin.

I realize that, I merely provided people with a part number they could order from Dell spare parts and actually get a 3 prong adapter instead of the "superceded" 2-prong.

I got mine today. It's a 9300 Adapter which works fine with 9400 and has 3 prong. I have not tested the voltage yet.

Some people are complaining about Dell. Well, I have seen other issues with other brands. no one is perfect. At least Dell did a battery recall they found out that some battries are crap. and I know other manufacturers had *same* issue but didn't recall them until Dell did it.

I'm not defending Dell, but I guess no manufacturer is perfect.

the question is: Do I want to buy another Dell Laptop? I don't know at this point of time. For me it really depends on the deal I may find in future. It might be a Dell or other brands.

I agree. I have been disappointed with Dell due mostly to the quality issues with their notebooks. However, they have been very responsive to my posts on the Direct2Dell forum. On two occasions, they have contacted me directly as a result of my comments to Direct2Dell. In both cases, they have gone the extra mile to resolve my issues.

In the past, I have had issues with HP and Samsung, and had to do a lot of yelling and screaming to get some response. Dell has been much more approachable.

I may or may purchase Dell in the future, but they have not given me any cause to badmouth their service. And when it comes to features vs. price, they are still the market leader. I'd just like to see reliability improve in the Inspiron line.

I agree. They should improve quality of Inspiron line. By the way, a friend of mine has bought a Latitude D820. I am interested to know if they have 2 prong or 3 prong cable/adapter? Is it just Inspiron or all of the Dell laptops?

My M90 has a three-pin adapter. However, when I am travelling, depending on what adapters are around, it might end up in a 2-pin adapter. Especially in the US and Japan, where three-pin plugs won't go in 2-pin sockets. In Europe the third pin either sticks out from the socket or is on the edge of the plug. And in the UK all plugs and sockets are 3 pin, I haven't seen 2-pin sockets for decades.

Okay, I am a NEW POSTER. Signed up just to throw my information out there for y'all to ponder.

My E1705 was working FINE. I sent it in for repairs because the USB ports were loose and the TV output didn't work at all.

First, I had my unit "repaired". They broke it. Literally. Fork lift through the side of the box...
tech told me to plug it in and use it anyways. against my better judgement, I did.

The unit had always made the hair on my arms stand up.... but this time, it SHOCKED ME. Now, I said a forklift went through the side of the box, remember? Well, the physical damage that was apparent to the unit was the screen was bent outta whack and the Dell circle logo got dented.

After that FIRST shock, I whipped out Ye' Olde MultiMeter. I got 38Volts off each screw. Hour later, 84volts. Hour later, 135Volts.

I called Dell back, got a runaround for over a week until I screamed at one guy "The $%*ing thing SHOCKED ME!" Got transferred to Customer Resolution and a rep called Ivan.

Ivan was shocked at the runaround I recieved (I even had one person "promise to send you a brand new upgraded laptop", "no replacements are possible legally because of our insurance practices", "you must pay for the repairs, we aren't responsible for shipping incidents")

He told me more than he should have, but I am totally calm (almost!) on this whole subject now...

He assured me the reps that lied to me (he played the recordings back to confirm the guilty parties) were immediately fired... and then promptly began to promise me a brand new replacement with upgrades (just like one other did before)- BUT only after I shipped this unit back for repairs again.


Sent back, "repaired" again. The whole unit had been replaced- except for the innards. Same LCD, new LCD casing. Same keyboard, new bottom chassis. Etc.

I was overjoyed at first- after 2 weeks I finally apparently got this thing fixed. I fired it up, installed Oblivion back... played for about 4 hours straight.

I live in Florida. It is hot, even this time of year. Some jerk said something about not being able to be shocked, remember? Well, a HOT laptop in a HOT lap on a HOT day equals perspiration!

When I shut down the machine after playing Oblivion, and I reached to pull the top down.... ZZZZAAAAAAPPPPP!!!!!!

It shocked me so bad this time that I jumped instantaneously outta my chair, knocking the laptop down, and proceeded to fall on the ground (chair flew out from behind me). My whole body twisted so quickly from the shock, I couldn't control ANYTHING.

Now, I've been in a horrible car accident, got nerve damage... I've broken my back, and had those muscle tensing machine hooked up to me before.

The shock I got from that damn laptop was worse than the time I told the tech to crank the power to max on the tensing machine. And I've got NERVE DAMAGE. How much freaking voltage did it take to make ME do that?!?!

I'm also an electronics buff of sorts (got an A.S. in Electronics and Engineering), and I am fully aware of the dangers of this type of voltage.

It may be a "one in 10,000,000" chance of getting shocked.... (sorry for caps)

BUT I GOT SHOCKED TWICE FROM DIFFERENT MACHINES. SHOCKED SO BAD I FLEW OUTTA MY CHAIR AND ****DROPPED**** THE LAPTOP AND MYSELF TO THE FLOOR.

I have told Ivan that if I don't recieve a fixed unit or a full refund this next time around I'm video-taping the two units I have being tested for voltage and sending it to CNN, FOX, ETC.

Waiting for a response, email was sent an hour before I wrote this.

Oh yeah, I just read the post about USB being used as ground....

That would explain why it KILLED all my USB devices.... I thought the loose ports killed them.

Thanks for the info.... I'll tack it onto my Dell claim.

Still no details on Direct2Dell as promised, either. Guess I can't say that I'm surprised...

Sorry to hear what happened to you. Did you receive a 2 pins AC adapter or a 3 pins one with the replacement unit?

2 prong adapter on original as well as the replacement.

I ran some tests.... my original adapter is rev 1, the replacement is rev 2... the rev 2 has more of a problem than the rev 1.... wierd.... gotta send all of them in for repiars.... we'll see...

I think maybe the Dell poster who promised an annoucement on Direct2Dell didn't realize the scope of what is being discussed here. This could end up becoming another recall on the scale of what has happened with the 8000 series adapters that overheated and the exploding batteries. On the other hand, if properly grounding these machines reduced component failures from static hits etc. you would think that the recall costs could be offset by reduced warranty repairs.

DeadDude, sorry to hear that happened to you. What's the status on your call/email? Have they sent you a new unit? Let us know.

well, I have recieved my 3 prong adapter (Rev A03) and I have not had an issue. I measured voltage and it's 0.14