Several Problems - Dell Inspiron 1200

[texassprite]

Not sure where to start or what info y'all need, so here goes...

1. My power supply on my Inspiron 1200 seems to be shorting out...works intermittently.

2. DVD/CDRW drive stopped connecting...seems to get power when it's in the slot and the cd spins, but doesn't show up as a drive.

3. Got an error when I rebooted yesterday - "Loading PBR for descriptor 2 ... failed".

I'm going to check for a repair place tomorrow, but I'm hoping I might get an idea of whether or not it CAN be fixed or is even worth it.

I'm running Windows XP Home - not sure what other info to include (or where to find it?). Thanks so much for any/all help!

 

[Harvey]

If you think it's your power supply, you could try swapping to another one. The only requirements are that it has to provide the same voltage at the same current or greater, and you have to be sure the connetor has the positive lead connected the same way as your original supply.

The user comments for Dell's own supply for your machine aren't very complimentary so if you need a new one, you may want to look elsewhere. The key specs are:

Power Provided: 60 Watts
Voltage Provided: 19 VDC
Max Output Current: 3.16 A (continuous)
Voltage Required:100 - 240 VAC

I don't know where you are, but All Electronics, in L.A. has one with the right specs for $14.00. less than half what Dell is asking.

20 VDC 3 AMP SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY

Pihong # PSA60W-200. Input: 100-240 Vac, 1.5 Amp, 50-60 Hz. Output: 20 Vdc, 3.0 Amps. Regulated, switching table-top power supply. 6 ft output cord with 2.1mm coax power plug, center positive. Ferrite RFI/EMI filter on cord. Detach-able two-prong input power cord included. 4" x 2.5" x 1.28". UL, CE.
CAT# PS-231

The actual spec'd voltage is one volt higher than the Dell supply, but that shouldn't make any difference. I can't tell you the quality of it, but at that price, if it turns out to be what you need, it may be worth checking.

Hope that helps. 🙂

 

[texassprite]

Sounds like a good idea - thanks!

Oh - a friend just called. They have the Inspiron 1100 - will their power supply work on my 1200?

 

[Harvey]

Click the link to Dell in my previous post. It says their supply is for these machines:

Inspiron 1200
Inspiron 1300
Inspiron 2200
Inspiron B120
Inspiron B130

This Dell adapter for the Insprion 1100 puts out 20 volts at 4.5 A. Like the one I linked from All Electronics, that's one volt high, which shouldn't matter, and 50% overkill for current so it should easily handle your machine and half of another one like it. 😀

 

[texassprite]

Obviously I know nothing about that - thanks for your help again. I just wanted to make sure if I borrowed it for a short time that it wouldn't cause any problems.

I'll definitely get a new power supply as soon as I figure out if the other two problems can be fixed!

 

[Harvey]

Originally posted by: texassprite
Obviously I know nothing about that - thanks for your help again.

I happen to be an engineer, just because some people have to keep track of that kind of stuff, and you're welcome. 😎

I just wanted to make sure if I borrowed it for a short time that it wouldn't cause any problems.

That's why I checked. If your friend's 1100 needs the extra power you wouldn't be able to return the favor because your supply wouldn't provide enough current (amps).

I'll definitely get a new power supply as soon as I figure out if the other two problems can be fixed!

If your supply is flakey, it could be the cause of the other two problems, and you may be lucky enough that the new supply fixes it... but no promises on that.

Good luck. 🙂

 

[texassprite]

I just received the power supply as linked here, but it does not fit my laptop... 🙁