My cat has bitten through laptop cable

Abbafan1972

As title. Am really annoyed. It's happened before and just blew the fuse, with a new fuse it was fine.

Now she's bitten it again, have changed the fuse and it won't work at all.

Have rung Maplins and the universal power cable for my laptop is £44.99 :eek: They said I would need to bring my laptop to the shop, so they can test the cable before I buy. That would mean taking my laptop on the bus into Birmingham city centre, not! OH would be able to go out in the car and get me something tomorrow, if I ask him nicely.

Have looked on Ebay, but not sure. Plus I would have to wait for it to arrive in the post.

My laptop is a Dell Inspiron 1720.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

dispossessed

If they have bitten through the fiirst part (the so called "figure of eight") these are fairly cheap (about a fiver). Many eBay computer cable sellers dispatch by first class post and so often it will be received the next day.

If the damage is after the transformer then you will need to obtain a new power supply unit although the Maplin Universal model should be fine. Maplin do mail order if needed - I can't see why they need you to take it in (perhaps it's me missing something - too much of a mispent youth I'm afraid).

Trevor

fiddiwebb

How's the cat?

Far cheaper on Amazon or eBay, if you buy it off eBay and want quick delivery just ask for Special Delivery.

Abbafan1972

Thanks, the cat is fine. No ill effects, it's a wonder she hasn't electrocuted herself, as it's not the first time she's done it.

She bit through the part closest to the laptop.

The wire has been bitten before in between the plug and the transformer and a change of fuse rectified it. I have tried changing the fuse and when I plug it in, the transformer makes a high pitched buzzing sound, but no green light.

I can get to another branch of Maplin that has it's own car park and it would be a bit safer taking my laptop. I have phoned them and they said to take the laptop as well.

I am just a bit wary of buying off Ebay, as I've heard horror stories about rogue cables frying laptops etc.

Was in the middle of typing this reply and had to shut down my laptop because the battery was nearly depleted. :eek: Am on OH's now. Cat has had a go at this wire as well and so far it's ok.

fiddiwebb

Try coating your power supply cable with Tabasco sauce/hot chili paste (where's the evil grin smiley when you need it!)

alanrowell

£44.99 is the cost of a new power supply, not cable.

If the part that your soon to be ex-cat has chewed is removable then all you do is remove it, go to Maplin and get a new cable - which costs about £10 at Maplin for the fanciest retractable cable

JJ_Egan

You probably have a local independent computer repair shop who would probably be much cheaper .
I paid £19-99 for the last one i bought for a Dell .

jje

withabix

Get one off eBay or Amazon and do without t'internet for a few days. £10-£15.

gadgeteer_2

I've bought a few chargers from eBay. Yet to have a problem with any of them. Get them from someone with good feedback and you should be golden.

Abbafan1972

Ok, I've established that it's the end with the transformer that isn't working. The bit with the plug attached is ok, as I put it on OH's laptop cable and it's fine.

I can use OH's laptop for the time being (he will probably start charging me). Although I've cleaned the screen and decrumbed the keyboard to keep him sweet.

John_Gray

Abbafan1972 wrote: »

I can use OH's laptop for the time being (he will probably start charging me).

No, I think the effect is to charge the laptop battery, not you! :rotfl: