adapter compatability

Hi. I have a Dell Inspiron 1000 laptop that won't power up (a friend's). A few lights go on on the console, but screen remains dark, cd drawer won't open. no noise. It uses an adapter from PA16 family.

I have an adapter from an Inspiron 1100 (my own laptop) which is the PA9 family and want to try it to see if that makes a difference.

Is there a problem using a different adapter? I don't want to ruin the adapter or the laptop (altho the laptop is pretty useless now) so I'm more worried about the adapter.

Specs are as follows: The PA16 adapter is smaller and says 60W, Input 100-240V - 1.5A(1.5A) , 50-60 Hz, Output 19v...3.16A(3.16A)

The PA9 says Input:100-240VC 50-60 Hz 1.5A, Output 20V...4.51A(4.51A), doesn't say how many Watts.

Can I try the PA9 without ruining the adapter, do you think? thanks

The PA9 is a 90W supply according to the specifications you quote.

The wattage is the maximum amount it can safely supply, the current requirement of the laptop will contol how much power is actually drawn. So using a power supply with a higher wattage and/or current capacity is safe, as long as the connector and polarity are the same.

What is uncertain is if it's safe to use the 20 volts of the PA9 on a laptop that is expecting the 19 volts of the correct supply. Depending on the internal design of the laptop, this fairly small difference may or may not matter. The way most laptops operate, that amount of difference probably would not matter.

So the supply should not be harmed by trying it, unless the laptop has a short circuit that has already damaged its own supply.

There is a small chance the laptop could suffer some harm from the higher voltage.

Thank you very much for your reply. I think I'll give it a shot.