While the portability of laptops is one of their key benefits, constantly moving computers from one location to another causes immense wear and tear on power cables and adapters. Besides wearing them out, cables can also be lost in hotel rooms, coffee shops, rental cars and other locations. If you've lost the DC adapter for your HP laptop or the cable is frayed or functions incorrectly, you will need to purchase a replacement.
Instructions
1. Identify the model number of your laptop. Most adapters will fit multiple models, but it's always good to cross-check compatibility with your actual laptop model. You can find the model number in the lower right-hand corner of the screen (for example, "Presario CQ50").
2. Contact HP customer support and inquire about your warranty replacement options. Depending on when you purchased your laptop and the accessories that came packaged with it, you may be entitled to a free replacement of certain parts. You can find a link to HP Customer Support in the Resources section of this article.
3. Measure your current DC adapter cord. It can be difficult to estimate lengths when looking at products in a store or online, so having an idea of how long your original cord was is a good way to ensure you can keep the same work habits. You don't want to end up with a cord that's two feet shorter than your original and thus incompatible with your work space.
4. Visit an online computer parts retailer and search for a phrase like "HP DC power cable." You will find several varieties, so try to find the one with the best price to feature ratio for your budget. Reading the reviews of other product owners may also help to guide your decision.
5. Place an order for the replacement cable either through the online store or HP's customer support. You may also be able to find a replacement at a big box retailer.
Tags: your laptop, customer support, model number, with your, your original