Dell Inspiron 4000 saves the day!?!

[iSee]

Let me explain this strange but true tale:

I ordered one of those cheapo minis that sometimes appear on Apple's refurb store. It came yesterday and I went to set it up next to the TV. It's all going well until I go to plug it in... The cord that goes from the power adapter to the wall was the wrong one--it wouldn't fit!

I was a little depressed, but I called up Apple Care and got the correct one on its way. The only problem is, the woman said it would take up to 7 business days to come.

That was disappointing, but patience is a virtue, right? So I had a chance to be very, very good .

But then, as I looked at the adapter, I realized I had seen this three-pronged plug somewhere before... Where could I have seen it???

I started rummaging through my basement--I never realized just how many stupid cords I actually have. But none matched... until I came across my old, disintegrating, Dell Inspiron 4000--what a piece of junk. But it's power adapter had the same three-pronged plug!

So I plugged the Dell cord into the wall and Mini adapter, hit the power button and... IT WORKED!

---

p.s. I got an email from Apple re my cord--it looks like it's coming today! I was all depressed about waiting 7 business days and it looks like it will actually be less than 24 hrs

 

[dbam987]

Thats good news. However, its generally not a good idea to use a cord for a different piece of hardware as you never know what could happen. Glad it worked out for you though.

 

[gkarris]

You talking about those strange "Mickey Mouse" 3 pronged cords?

 

[iSee]

Yes, a "Mickey Mouse" style cord.

Yeah, I realize electrical coords can be tricky.
I justified it to myself be thinking:

1. There's no transformation taking place (this is from the wall to adapter, not adapter to computer). The cord is obviously just connecting the three prongs of the wall to the three prongs of the adapter.
2. So the remaining issue is that the coord might not be heavy duty enough to handle the draw from the mini's adapter. I'm sure it's drawing more than the Dell did, but I eyeballed the cord and it looks OK...

Heh, hardly scientific, but I haven't been electrocuted or burned down my house yet, so I'm feeling confident. Hmmm. How old is that cord???

 

[CanadaRAM]

AC Electrical cords are standardised and safety rated by UL, CSA, etc depending on the country you are in -- with very few exceptions, there should be no issue at all using a different brand cord as long as the business end is the same type.

(that said, don't go and plug an air conditioner into a christmas light extension cord... )

 

[iSee]

*attains peace-of-mind*