Break the Box: Getting into the Adapter

Step 2: Break the Box: Getting into the Adapter

It took many techniques to figure out how to open up the adapter box. The plastic was too weak to crack open w/ just a screwdriver. It just scratched with pressure, while the seam remained firmly bonded.

So, I managed to create a deep groove around the entire seam w/ a chisel. The groove helped to safely (and, unfortunately, extremely slowly) hack-saw my way through the plastic shell (not any further than the thickness of the plastic). Even at this point, the two shell halves remained attached to one another. So, a slow and steady twist of a broad flat-headed screwdriver at each corner cracked something inside to enable the box to finally open.

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manumanu says: May 23, 2009. 10:54 AM

Incredible guide! Thank you. Had the same problem on the very same adapter from HP, and wondered an easy way to open it up. The idea of the knife is charming, I think I'm going to try that first. Thank you sri1ram for the hint and actionsciption for the pictures! Great!

manumanu in reply to manumanuMay 28, 2009. 2:55 PM

just an update to let you know that i got it working again! To open the case I used the blade of a cutter, lightly smoothed to avoid scars on the ridges. With a hammer I gave some hits on top of the blade on both the long sides of the case. The blade itself is very thin and once smoothed you can use it as a leverage to split the sides. Didn't have any problem with the rubber relief anyhow needed quite a long work to make the cable slide from the outside to the inside. The entire process took about 1h, but I also had very much care to insulate + and - of the cable inside the case. Bye, Manu

31mimo in reply to manumanuSep 29, 2011. 3:18 PM

I use normally an hammer and a peace of wood, Bang the wood on top around the charger, and it will just open gently, almost no dents damage on te plastic. Help with a large thin screwdriver . To close i use contact glue. Looks it as never been openned!(can use also an rubber hammer)

mokeyman7 says: May 8, 2011. 7:44 PM

haha finaly got haalf way through and took all day

breakallstuff says: Apr 6, 2011. 6:46 AM

End up breaking the adapter case into three pieces lol. Glad I have some black tapes. Notice a pen taped on the side of the adapter. I use the pen as a strain relief.

sri1ram says: Feb 20, 2009. 6:45 AM

Wow, I am trying to open up this very same HP adaptor. Thank You! Really did not imagine that someone would put step-step instructions like this, for the Same adaptor! Anyway, at least I won't feel too bad about force-splitting the sealed adaptor - always had me thinking that there is a non-violent way to open it up - but looks like it's glued and hermetically sealed from the inside! Will add a comment if I find some better way "after" opening up .. Cheers, Sriram

jayeshshinai in reply to sri1ramAug 26, 2010. 4:53 AM

hey sri, can u help me out with the wiring that iv done..posted the pics above. wanted to know if its right or not. thanks

jayeshshinai in reply to jayeshshinaiAug 26, 2010. 5:07 AM

okay..pic 15 of the tutorial shows tht im wrong... but any chances of explosions if i solder them n they are wrong??

sri1ram in reply to sri1ramFeb 20, 2009. 4:29 PM

Update: Opened up my identical HP adapter, a lot faster and easier than the author's step 2. 1. Instead of the chisel, align a knife along the horizontal ridge as close a possible (very fine ridge, but a normal thickness knife serves the purpose, though thinner is better) 2. Hit with a hammer on the knife. 2-3 bangs (hard enough not to damage the internals) on the knife on both side-ridges were enough to get the casing to separate without any damage whatsoever !! except to the hermetically sealing glue.. 3. Voila, done in 2 minutes.. The adapter won't later look so chewed upon, with the fine, originally chiseled look :-) All the other steps are the same. Attached is a snap of the end results, the tape can be put better, but who cares!) Thanks again Actionscription for showing me that it's not a stupid waste of time (also saved my all time favorite store, Costco, 60-70 bucks for providing me a warrantied, new 'backup' adaptor at a time when all stores are closing down) Cheers, Sriram

sweetiex3 in reply to sri1ramJul 9, 2009. 1:46 PM

that was so helpful! thank u!!! :)

sri1ram in reply to sri1ramFeb 20, 2009. 4:39 PM

Oops, here are my images..

andrew101 in reply to sri1ramOct 14, 2009. 6:43 PM

ahaha thats what you call a fail repair...

i have to repair my plug (where it meets the pc) im going at lunch toget a new plug, so hopefully i can make it look good.

ReCreate in reply to sri1ramApr 24, 2009. 10:50 AM

That looks just like mine! DID you Steal it? :P

arun280 says: Aug 24, 2010. 10:13 AM

I was really confused how to open & fix my laptop power cord, whether opening by cutting the body will damage the supply, but seeing these images i am sure i will be able to do it myself. Thx for help & i will revert with what i did & how successful it was.

gallagte says: Jan 16, 2010. 9:28 AM

Thanks guys for the useful guide - the power connector died just when some assignments were due!

I used a thin cheap knife and a large spanner (couldn't find the hammer and a few gentle taps opened it up thing ok)

Duct tape, insulating tape and maybe a drop of superglue to finish !

jr95917 says: Jul 26, 2009. 10:43 PM

Got my laptop back from hp with the cord not working.... Worked fine when I sent it in but had some splices in it, but when I got it back they had broke the cord clean through right at the stress reliever...... Thanks for the help on getting the box open, the knife trick worked like a charm!

chautn says: Apr 17, 2009. 8:16 PM

Yeah. Same adapter, same problem with my HP adapter. Tnks guy. U r rock.