Inspiron 8500 Power Question - Page 4

shotgunefx · 05-04-2007, 08:36 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by meddler

I think the audio onboard is pretty crap. I would have liked the pci slot to be able to add a decent sound card.

Mine doesn't sound bad, but then again, I've got some other rough edges to work out (like a 2nd line driver to fade front and rare).

I went the pci audio on my first laptop+dock install, what I really wanted it for this time though was video cap on this install. Luckily, I managed to find a PCMCIA that worked on linux.

The dock has an amplified output, how this shows up in Win, no idea. Only problem is that the master volume control doesn't work under linux .

meddler · 05-04-2007, 09:32 AM

That's interesting about the amplified output. now all I have to do is find an APR for the right price

shotgunefx · 05-04-2007, 11:25 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by meddler

That's interesting about the amplified output. now all I have to do is find an APR for the right price

http://search.ebay.com/pr01x

meddler · 05-04-2007, 09:40 PM

I bought an auto adapter the other day and it doesn't have the right plug

It has one that is close but the outside is too small. Hopefully the docking station I am getting will have a PSU that I can cut the end off, unless you know where to get the plug that goes into the back of the laptop

BTW thanks for the link

shotgunefx · 05-04-2007, 11:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by meddler

I bought an auto adapter the other day and it doesn't have the right plug

It has one that is close but the outside is too small. Hopefully the docking station I am getting will have a PSU that I can cut the end off, unless you know where to get the plug that goes into the back of the laptop

BTW thanks for the link

I know my auto-air (that's meant for a dell, not a generic auto-air) has the normal dell square plug, and a tip that goes over that to convert it to the round one. Did you get the battery-biz one?

meddler · 05-05-2007, 05:43 AM

No. I got a Vanson one. It has the 3 pin dell one, but not the round one I need. So there is supposed to be something that fits over the square plug that converts it to the round one?

By any chance you wouldn't be able to take a pic of it?

shotgunefx · 05-05-2007, 04:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by meddler

No. I got a Vanson one. It has the 3 pin dell one, but not the round one I need. So there is supposed to be something that fits over the square plug that converts it to the round one?

By any chance you wouldn't be able to take a pic of it?

Sorry, best pics I could do before my batteries crapped out. Need to find my charger.

Without the tip, it looks like a half circle with three pins. Of course, trying to get a good pic is when it died :\

meddler · 05-07-2007, 11:45 AM

That's what I need. Where can I get me one of them? I just know I am going to have to hack up a good PSU to make it work. Also what is the third pin for? and is it used with the adapter?

shotgunefx · 05-07-2007, 01:09 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by meddler

That's what I need. Where can I get me one of them? I just know I am going to have to hack up a good PSU to make it work.

No idea if you can or if they are universal. The tip on your current one might be different than mine (or other adapter mfgs for that matter). Mine came with it, as I bought it specifically for the 8600.

Quote:

Also what is the third pin for? and is it used with the adapter?

The third pin is used to tell the laptop and dock what kind of ac adapter is attached. Mine would not boot the dock without a recognized adapter at all. The laptop itself would boot with an F1 to continue Error, but won't charge the battery. That's why I was using an inverter until I found the battery biz adapter.

meddler · 05-17-2007, 01:31 AM

@ shotgunefx

I just want to confirm that adapter you have. Is it the standard dell 3 pin square plug on one end (male version) and the barrel connector on the other. Could you take pics of both ends for me? Are they the same as the pics I have attached? I know the second one is blury, I too had flat batteries. I hope you understand what I am asking.

I wanted to confirm before I email battery biz and ask if I can buy the adapter.

shotgunefx · 05-17-2007, 03:38 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by meddler

@ shotgunefx

I just want to confirm that adapter you have. Is it the standard dell 3 pin square plug on one end (male version) and the barrel connector on the other. Could you take pics of both ends for me? Are they the same as the pics I have attached? I know the second one is blury, I too had flat batteries. I hope you understand what I am asking.

I wanted to confirm before I email battery biz and ask if I can buy the adapter.

Think you are out of luck with the battery-biz piece...
The pics are 1) Plug end 2) Adapter front 3) Adapter back.

meddler · 05-17-2007, 04:19 PM

bummer, I thought it was an adapter from the 3 pin dell to the barrel connector. Oh well, back to the drawing board. Thanks for the info.

shotgunefx · 05-17-2007, 06:54 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by meddler

bummer, I thought it was an adapter from the 3 pin dell to the barrel connector. Oh well, back to the drawing board. Thanks for the info.

You are probably better off getting the right auto-air and selling the old one on ebay. I imagine even if you could find the tip, it will cost half as much as the whole unit. Have you tried contacting the company that makes the one you have to see if they make one?

meddler · 05-18-2007, 02:57 AM

I thought about getting the right auto adapter but when there is a $60 difference between what I have and the one like what you have, I can buy a proper AC supply and hack the end. I just have to work out what signal is on the third wire.

No I haven't emailed them yet. I suppose that would be a good start. I think I will try that first.

Thanks again shotgunefx.

shotgunefx · 05-18-2007, 06:41 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by meddler

I thought about getting the right auto adapter but when there is a $60 difference between what I have and the one like what you have, I can buy a proper AC supply and hack the end. I just have to work out what signal is on the third wire.

No I haven't emailed them yet. I suppose that would be a good start. I think I will try that first.

Thanks again shotgunefx.

I'm assuming you got yours free then