Chosen Solution
Hi, My power adapter has started to make lots of switching noise and I also need to replace the cord. The design is unfortunately curved and the seam is very thin. I’m struggling to work out how to open it up. Any advice?
Hi @simeonv , Don’t know the adapter and cannot see it too well in your image but is there a seam running along the long side of the case, so that if open the case would be in two parts? If not, ignore the following ;-) If so, I’ve had about a 75% success rate in opening plastic welded cases using the following method. The other 25% of the attempts results in the case being broken. Place a broad bladed tool such as a 1.5” paint scraper along the seam and then give it a short sharp tap with a hammer and check if the case splits open. The sharper the blade the better You might find that the inner “lip” of the case at the seam is damaged but this is not seen when the case is re-assembled but the exterior is not cracked. As I said 3 out of 4 attempts are successful and once the case has split open you can prise it open further etc if it hasn’t already split completely apart. The failed attempts end in the case cracking and small pieces having to be glued back in place (if possible) When re-assembling the case just glue it shut but be careful which glue you use as some glues don’t stick plastics that well and I’ve even had a “supa glue” that actually seemed to melt the plastic as it went soft and it still didn’t stick. Usually I just glue it with a glue used for gluing paper and wrap some strips of electrical tape tightly around the case to hold it shut.
Power adapters with terminal issues like this should be replaced, not repaired. If they go bad, it can/will damage the computer. Unless it’s a low-end Walmart special or a really cheap “back to school” machine with a Pentium or i3, replace the adapter! Instead, check if the adapter is under warranty and get it replaced by Dell (they tend to consider insulation damage “wear and tear” or abuse, so they will probably say no), or just swallow the cost and buy a new one – preferably direct from Dell. It looks like your XPS looks uses the 90/130W adapters based on the size, which is normal with that series due to the extra power draw. Unless you have one of the few 65W capable ones on the lower end (lesser spec’d XPS 13, commonly), it’s usually minimum 90W. If you didn’t get it from Dell directly, scrap it and get one from Dell or a Dell reseller. A lot of the ones from places like eBay are fake - BUT be prepared to pay a noticeable premium. It’s one thing if it’s just frayed - if there’s no other issues and you have room to cut, I’ll give you a pass if you cut an extra 1-2" off or pull a tested lead from another bad OEM charger with issues of similar spec - IF you solder and heatshrink it. Anything more is a risky repair. However, there is definitely a way in - but the way it’s designed is such a far cry from the easy ones it’s not as easy as the old-style ones from the C/D/E and subsequent Inspiron series era. I tried and couldn’t do it. The IEC end is in there GOOD; like it’s glued and plastic welded.
