For the past couple of weeks, my laptop has been having difficulty maintaining a connection to the AC adapter. The computer runs fine, would power up and down fine, it just wasn't making a connection and thus having difficulty recharging the battery. This problem has been getting progressively worse, so on Friday Kevin and I went out and bought an external hard drive to back everything up in case of a computer catastrophe (important things like my dissertation and all my data for my dissertation are on the laptop, but are now securely backed up as well).

At first we thought maybe the site where the adapter connects to the back of the computer had been pushed back in too far and that was the cause for the problem. After emailing with a few computer repair places (and several that didn't return my email), the main thought was that the motherboard needed resoldering, but that no one could do this on-site, it would have to be shipped away.

Now, I can't live without my laptop for 2 weeks. While everything is now backed up on the hard drive, I can't really carry that around and plug it into surrogate computers. I use the laptop in class. And besides, sending off my laptop to some random company, who knows what they'll do, and if they'll look at my personal files.

Yesterday this situation became more critical as the computer and adapter decided that they had finally called it quits and wouldn't speak to each other at all. As I searched for other repair places in the area that I could call, I suddenly remembered that my mom had pushed for the super-extended Dell warranty when we got the laptop. I immediately started searching Dell's website and found out that I do indeed have 2 more years of warranty. I resigned myself to the fact that the computer probably had to go away for a while, but at least the Dell people would fix it for free.

I called Dell and talked to a very nice gentleman who asked a lot of questions, and then told me he was going to ship me a new AC adapter and cord. I thought that was odd and a minimal type solution considering the others said it was most likely motherboard related. Now I'm thinking, these cheap bastards are just sending me a temporary solution that won't work and I'll have even longer with a minimally functioning laptop. The guy asks a few more questions including asking me to look at some numbers on the back of the adapter. After I give him the numbers, he puts me on hold while he starts processing the order. Despite every day (and often several times a day) winding the cords around the adapter to pack it into my backpack and tote my laptop around, I am looking at it closely for probably the first time. This is what I see...

The end were it connects into the adapter is split and frayed and little silver strands are sticking out. I don't tell the Dell guy because now I'm embarrassed that the problem was so simple and straightforward. I do ask him why he thinks it is the adapter, and he tells me that usually if the computer runs off of the battery that that means the motherboard is ok, and the problem is the adapter.

In about 3-5 business days, I'll have a new adapter and be back in business. So remember that the answers to problems are usual right in front of you, if you would actually look to see them.

Oh, and just because, look at this angry, sleepy hamster face!