# Fuck Dell sideways with a rusty spoon **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 2, 2007, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-dell-sideways-with-a-rusty-spoon/402442 "2007-05-02T11:41:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2007, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-dell-sideways-with-a-rusty-spoon/402442/21 "2007-05-02T15:37:29Z")
Where’s it bit? Is it in the cable leading to the adaptor, or the adaptor unit? There are things you can rub on cables to make them taste bad. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2007, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-dell-sideways-with-a-rusty-spoon/402442/22 "2007-05-02T15:38:38Z")
[QUOTE=AHunter3] Does unqualified “adapter” really mean “power cord” to most other laptop users? [/QUOTE] It does to me, but I’m not a laptop user. I do, however, remember all the electronic devices from the 70’s on forward (boomboxes, electronic games, etc.) that ran on batteries, but you could also plug them in if you had an adapter. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2007, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-dell-sideways-with-a-rusty-spoon/402442/23 "2007-05-02T16:06:39Z")
[QUOTE=AHunter3] Does unqualified “adapter” really mean “power cord” to most other laptop users? [/QUOTE] Without any other specificity, yeah, it does to me. The other options hadn’t even occurred to me until you mentioned them. ---
**Author:** ![Mindfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindfield/32/19759_2.png) [@Mindfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindfield)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2007, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-dell-sideways-with-a-rusty-spoon/402442/24 "2007-05-02T16:20:12Z")
I have extensive experience with wires being kitty chew toys. Two keyboards. Three mice. Two power cords. Damn cat is lucky it didn’t electrocute itself. Hie thee over to your local pet store and buy some bitter apple spray or something like that. Douse any cords you’re worried about it in. Unless kitty has strange taste in food, it will lose interest in chewing cords pretty quickly. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2007, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-dell-sideways-with-a-rusty-spoon/402442/25 "2007-05-02T16:30:10Z")
I’ve gone through a few power cables for my Dell lap tops over the years, mostly due to puppies being evil (but cute) bastards. First, call and speak to a sales person. When they say that’ll be $80, you say, “Eighty dollars? That’s. . . wow. That’s so much money! I just. . . I don’t know if I can afford that. Is there any cheaper alternative?” At this point, they’ll either lower the price, give you some huge discount and/or throw in some next day shipping free. Also, never EVER pay shipping with Dell- they will always, always, always ship for free if you just ask (“Oh hey, do you guys have any free shipping offers going on?”). Anywho, this last time was a doozy. I had my laptop on my lap (as God intended) and all off a sudden- ZAP! From the power cord in the back flew a spark and before I knew it, I was yelling, “OUCH! OW! OW! OW! MOTHER FU–” and my laptop was thrown onto my bed. I called Dell. He told me it’d be $70 for another power cord. I paused and said, “You are a busy guy, I’m sure you just forgot- but your product ELECTROCUTED ME.” He paused, laughed, and said, “Ok, good point. I’ll give you a free power cord. Now, as to shipping, that will be–” To which I replied, “Again, you may or may not be aware: YOUR PRODUCT ELECTROCUTED ME AND MADE ME SHRIEK.” He again laughed and said, “Noted. Ok. Free next day shipping. I’ll send you a confirmation email in just a moment.” The email said, “I hope it didn’t hurt too badly when it shocked you :-)”. Made me laugh. Also, they weren’t kidding about the next day shipping. I placed the order at 3 PM one day and it was in hand the next day by 11 AM. ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2007, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-dell-sideways-with-a-rusty-spoon/402442/26 "2007-05-02T16:46:07Z")
[QUOTE=catsix] We have 40 Dell laptops in my office, and have had four bad power adapters within the last six months. [/QUOTE] On a simplistic calculation your power adapters are lasting on average 5 years each, which is not so bad. OK so equipment failure rates are probably not spread evenly across the expected life of a product, bathtub curves and all that, but is 4 out of 40 in 6 months really that bad? (then again you may not have said it was) Incidentally this is why running equipment off of 240 or 440 V will generally improve reliability. The cat will only chew through the power cable once. ---
**Author:** ![Ferd\_Burfel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecccb3/32.png) [@Ferd\_Burfel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferd_Burfel)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2007, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-dell-sideways-with-a-rusty-spoon/402442/27 "2007-05-02T16:49:57Z")
I’d be curious too as to where the kitty chewed the cord. The Dell AC adaptors I’ve seen have two parts; one is a cord that runs from AC outlet to the transformer, and the other that runs from the transformer to the laptop. Slight hijack. An AC adaptor without a transformer is known to me as a “cheater” cord. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2007, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-dell-sideways-with-a-rusty-spoon/402442/28 "2007-05-02T17:36:35Z")
[QUOTE=DiosaBellissima] I’ve gone through a few power cables for my Dell lap tops over the years, mostly due to puppies being evil (but cute) bastards. First, call and speak to a sales person. When they say that’ll be $80, you say, “Eighty dollars? That’s. . . wow. That’s so much money! I just. . . I don’t know if I can afford that. Is there any cheaper alternative?” At this point, they’ll either lower the price, give you some huge discount and/or throw in some next day shipping free. Also, never EVER pay shipping with Dell- they will always, always, always ship for free if you just ask (“Oh hey, do you guys have any free shipping offers going on?”). Anywho, this last time was a doozy. I had my laptop on my lap (as God intended) and all off a sudden- ZAP! From the power cord in the back flew a spark and before I knew it, I was yelling, “OUCH! OW! OW! OW! MOTHER FU–” and my laptop was thrown onto my bed. I called Dell. He told me it’d be $70 for another power cord. I paused and said, “You are a busy guy, I’m sure you just forgot- but your product ELECTROCUTED ME.” He paused, laughed, and said, “Ok, good point. I’ll give you a free power cord. Now, as to shipping, that will be–” To which I replied, “Again, you may or may not be aware: YOUR PRODUCT ELECTROCUTED ME AND MADE ME SHRIEK.” He again laughed and said, “Noted. Ok. Free next day shipping. I’ll send you a confirmation email in just a moment.” The email said, “I hope it didn’t hurt too badly when it shocked you :-)”. Made me laugh. Also, they weren’t kidding about the next day shipping. I placed the order at 3 PM one day and it was in hand the next day by 11 AM. [/QUOTE] Actually, Dell automatically does free shipping through their web site. Haven’t payed for shipping on any of them. And they are generally very good about getting it out quick. This last one was ordered Monday morning and was there by Tuesday noon (and chewed up by Wednesday). I just hope that they’re being conservative in their estimate that this one is going to ship on the 7th and arrive on the eighth. I’ve got stuff due on the 7th that I need the laptop for. As for calling: I literally don’t have time right now. This is my only break during business hours today, and it’s not long enough to wend through phone menus and explain things to an associate. My next chance to talk to somebody during business hours will be next Monday (maybe), and I need power to my laptop before then. ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2007, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-dell-sideways-with-a-rusty-spoon/402442/29 "2007-05-02T18:23:59Z")
[QUOTE=fachverwirrt] As for calling: I literally don’t have time right now. This is my only break during business hours today, and it’s not long enough to wend through phone menus and explain things to an associate. My next chance to talk to somebody during business hours will be next Monday (maybe), and I need power to my laptop before then. [/QUOTE] According to their website, [tech support](http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/byphone_prod?c=us&l=en&s=gen) is open 24/7 and [customer](http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/byphone_ord?c=us&l=en&s=gen) service is open 7AM to 9PM Central time. Seven days a week too. ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2007, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-dell-sideways-with-a-rusty-spoon/402442/30 "2007-05-02T18:29:24Z")
> [@](#): > > **NaturalBlondChap** said: > On a simplistic calculation your power adapters are lasting on average 5 years each, which is not so bad. Not a single one of these laptops is more than 13 months old. So … how long are they lasting, on average, if not a single one of them has even attained an age of 2 years? > [@](#): > > **Beware of Doug** said: > Note to staff of Catsix & Co.: Please do not bring your kitties to the office. There are no cats in this office that are not IEEE approved. > [@](#): > > **Ferd Burfel** said: > I’d be curious too as to where the kitty chewed the cord. The Dell AC adaptors I’ve seen have two parts; one is a cord that runs from AC outlet to the transformer, and the other that runs from the transformer to the laptop. Every time I have personally seen a chewed laptop cord, it has been the cord running from the transformer to the laptop, never the one that plugs into the actual wall. I have often wondered if animals know that chewing through that section of cord is less dangerous. It is also harder to fix, though I have fixed many of them with soldering irons and heat shrink tubing. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2007, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-dell-sideways-with-a-rusty-spoon/402442/31 "2007-05-02T18:38:16Z")
[QUOTE=Slacker] According to their website, [tech support](http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/byphone_prod?c=us&l=en&s=gen) is open 24/7 and [customer](http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/byphone_ord?c=us&l=en&s=gen) service is open 7AM to 9PM Central time. Seven days a week too. [/QUOTE] So I would have time tonight. On the other hand tonight is about twelve hours later than this morning, which can make a tremendous difference when trying to get something shipped overnight. (I did try to call at 6:45 this morning, but was busy from 7:15 on, so that wouldn’t have worked.) And since I realized that this isn’t Dell’s problem, and shipping is free anyway, I don’t feel the need or see the virtue in trying to talk them down in price. Ordering online takes about 5 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2007, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-dell-sideways-with-a-rusty-spoon/402442/32 "2007-05-02T19:12:50Z")
[QUOTE=fachverwirrt] I would think 120 volts would make it unpalatable to kitty. [/QUOTE] how many licks does it take to get to the tootise role center of a tootsie pop? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2007, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-dell-sideways-with-a-rusty-spoon/402442/33 "2007-05-02T20:33:58Z")
There are these things that fit over electric cords that armor them, stops chewing. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2007, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-dell-sideways-with-a-rusty-spoon/402442/34 "2007-05-02T21:51:24Z")
[QUOTE=Cheesesteak] Your cat can’t taste voltage, and doesn’t understand the intricacies of AC power. Your cat CAN taste bitter chemicals specifically designed to taste nasty to cats, and does understand that chewing on a cord painted with the stuff is not fun. [/QUOTE] Well, yeah, but this is the third one she’s chewed. You’d think she would have gotten some sort of shock, and not want to do that again. Classical conditioning and all that. Obviously I’m going to either spray it with something or simply be very careful about putting the adapter away whenever I leave the room. I did that for a while after the first time, but then got lazy. ---
**Author:** ![Hung\_Mung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@Hung\_Mung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hung_Mung)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-dell-sideways-with-a-rusty-spoon/402442/35 "2007-05-03T02:54:30Z")
[QUOTE=DiosaBellissima] Also, never EVER pay shipping with Dell- they will always, always, always ship for free if you just ask (“Oh hey, do you guys have any free shipping offers going on?”). [/QUOTE] I thought I’d toss in on this one: Dell doesn’t _always_ have free shipping, just 99% of the time. Sometimes certain very inexpensive configurations don’t qualify for free shipping. Otherwise there’s one, maybe two, days at the end of each quarter during which shipping costs are tallied on just about everything. In other words, getting free shipping isn’t really special. Most of 'em are just good at making you think it is. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-dell-sideways-with-a-rusty-spoon/402442/36 "2007-05-03T05:51:18Z")
> [@catsix](#): > > Every time I have personally seen a chewed laptop cord, it has been the cord running from the transformer to the laptop, never the one that plugs into the actual wall. I have often wondered if animals know that chewing through that section of cord is less dangerous. > > It is also harder to fix[…] I would guess that for cats, the latter factor takes precedence. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-dell-sideways-with-a-rusty-spoon/402442.md?page=1)