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"AC Power Adapter Not Determined" , and Power Adapter Won't Work
My computer recently displayed a "AC Power Adapter is not determined." message. I did not change anything, all I did was go to a friend's house and plug it in and it appeared there. Taking out battery and holding down power for 10 sec won't work. It appears everytime, and my battery is slowly being drained. Help!
I’m frustrated
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Due to volume, only the 15 most recent replies are being displayed
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Inappropriate?This problem has existed in many years and DELL are doing nothing to fix it due to the fact most folks dont understand it is a badware build into the laptop that disable the charging and wrong design that break the id-chip!
Alot of folks has this problem, if it was possible to build a database if the content if this id-chip och with a workaround of a fixed bios, the it should be possible to continue to use the laptop as a laptop and not as a desktop without a battery!
If anyone should process an legal action against DELL that should be nice. I dont understand this can be legal do build a badware and the sell then.
Anyway I dont trust DELL so we will never buy a DELL anymore.
Myself is using a DELL Inspiron 6000 w 2.00GHz (now 800Mhz with broken AC adapter, 2Mbyte cache) but what I understand can contain diffrent hardware dependent on when and where it is sold.
This is also very uggly thing to sell diffrent content with same name.
For those how has a DELL laptop, we should join an legal action against DELL. -
Inappropriate?It is quite evident that this is a common problem across various models but I can't understand one thing, if Dell did this on purpose and wanted to make people replace the chargers why didn't they engineer the chip so that it's failure would render the charger completely useless instead of allowing this limited utility?
I’m undecided
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There are many companies that means they own the customers hardware, the buyer is only allowed to use it in that condition.
Thats why we play them yourself, do not permit the use OWER own software on the hardware we bought. They also decide how to use the hardware. The main objective is we only use Dell equipment to Dell hardware. They have to keep this matter quiet and hope that it will disappear. This question can be difficult to understand for none technical people but the question is quite simple.
Because of construction defects AC adapter chip is destroyed due to bad-ware, hardware that disables another feature, the charge is disabled and the battery can also be destroyed. They hope that people give up and boght new laptop. This has been done previously and are still effective in Inkjet printers, which is a chip that counts the ink level and then it acted as inkjet Cartwright is empty.
This is very ignorant towards customers and should be illegal. -
They hope folks does not understand the issue. It is very simulary to Ink-Jet printers there the printer stop working before the Ink-Jet is empty.
DELL has cripple the laptop when it is not allowed to charge the battery. It is also possible that the battery get damage. -
Inappropriate?I have the same problem; you need to get a new ac power adapter. they dont cost much; i have an inspiron 1501 and just got a new one for $13 (generic brand); should be fine after that; i've had my computer for about 3 years and have had to replace my ac adapter 2 times now.
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Inappropriate?I have this issue, and it appears to just be the power adapter. I have a friend with an identical adapter and hers works fine with my computer. It just happened one day. Was on my computer the night before everything was working normally. Got up the next morning turned it on and got the error message. I checked the voltage coming out of the adapter and it was right where it was supposed to be at 19.5 volts. So whats the big deal with it?? Why can't the computer utilize the proper 19.5?1 Comment Add a comment
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This is due to the id chip within the ac adapter got damaged. This chip has only one purpose and it is to identify the ac adapter, without a working chip BIOS in the laptop cripple the charging function.
This is very uggly of DELL, this can also result in damage battery if you are continue to use then and not be able to recharge it. This behavior must be illlegal.
Some one: Please send DELL to HELL! -
Inappropriate?I also have this problem. In fact, I will now be going on my 5th adapter. That's right...# 5. Dell is well aware that they have a problem here.
If you have experienced a faulty AC adapter with your Dell Laptop and are interested in joining a class action lawsuit against Dell..please contact me ASAP at vruter@comcast.net for more details.
Thanks4 Comments Add a comment
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Put my name on it. You will get thousands more. You're gonna need a new address!
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I'm on my 7th adapter and third battery. That doesn't count the 2 adapters for computer I just gave up in 2004 and finally just replaced. I'm definitely interested. An email to you bounced though. Send me an email at ____JAVAJnkie___@gmail.com but remove the underscores. The username is just javajnkie. Yes, I'm trying to avoid the spambots. Please be sure to note the spelling of javajnkie--people spell it with a u and y and I don't get my mail! :)
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sorry about the multiple posts. It's not letting me delete them. :/
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Inappropriate?There are two distinct problems here. . .
1.) Failing power supplies.
2.) Defective system boards (motherboard).
Additionally, from what we have seen, it is not usually a true failure of the equipment; it is a failure of the equipment to recognize its own proprietary signal.
I am going on my 3rd motherboard in a Studio XPS-16 laptop that I bought "loaded" for big $$$. Not good!
Once the warranty finally runs out, it will make a nice door stop, or perhaps an anchor for my canoe.4 Comments Add a comment
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I guess I'm swimming against the tide on this whole issue, but I think that most of these purported problems attributed to the laptop "faults" are mostly seven parts urban legend, two parts wishful thinking, and one part baloney. My own experience seems closer to reality (http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p...) - especially when the same adapter and battery, which seemingly would have been thought to be the source of my problem, we shown to still work fine on another Dell computer. I'm still convinced that while there may be some contributory factor associated with these A/C adapters, and some temporary "fault" causing the battery charging algorithm embedded in the BIOS to generate that "AC power adapter not recognized" message. And just to reiterate, it was only when I "powered down" the entire laptop (including the CMOS) battery, that this had the effect of "flushing/resetting" that fault message from the BIOS - after which the A/C adapter will then work in recharging the battery again. That's not to say that the problem might not recur, but it's worth a try.
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I guess I'm swimming against the tide on this whole issue, but I think that most of these purported problems attributed to the laptop "faults" are mostly seven parts urban legend, two parts wishful thinking, and one part baloney. My own experience seems closer to reality (http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p...) - especially when the same adapter and battery, which seemingly would have been thought to be the source of my problem, was shown to still work fine on another Dell computer. I'm still convinced that while there may be some contributory factor associated with these A/C adapters, and some temporary "fault" causing the battery charging algorithm embedded in the BIOS to generate that "AC power adapter not recognized" message. And just to reiterate, it was only when I "powered down" the entire laptop (including the CMOS) battery, that this had the effect of "flushing/resetting" that fault message from the BIOS - after which the A/C adapter will then work in recharging the battery again. That's not to say that the problem might not recur, but it's worth a try.
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So why then would Dell come to my office and cheerfully install another new system board? And now 6 months later, it failed with the exact same problem. And so now, I will call in another repair and they will indeed install yet another new system board? I'm confused.
Does that mean that Dell knows the simple fix is to do the [url]http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p... trick, but they prefer to give away new system boards?
I really don’t think Dell is intentionally out to screw any of us. It's simply the best that any bloated, top heavy, private sector bureaucracy can do. I can only assume its like a big muscle-bound man trying to get a dime out of his own pocket.
The CGDobyns fix is good stuff.
I'm looking forward to my next "Unidentified Charger" message so I can put it to the test.
Inevitably, if I call Dell with the same problem again, they will install yet another system board.
Perhaps Dell should read [url]http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p... too. -
Hey Chris,
I can attest that it's neither an urban legend or baloney. And as far as wishful thinking goes, I'm not sure why you'd think we would wish to spend our money on buggy accessories. I do have wishful thinking: I keep thinking the next battery or adapter will solve the problem.
I read the forum last night, before responding. I was temporarily hopeful. I took out my cmos battery and noticed that it had some discoloration around the end, as though it had some very minor leakage happening inside the green wrapper.
This morning, I fired up the laptop and still got the adapter warning even after resetting the date in the bios. I still get the flashing LED code for a failed battery.
I'm glad the cmos is the resolution for some of you, and I'd be thrilled if that solved my problem. Unfortunately, it didn't.
As of now, the only thing that solves the problem for me is to pack up the dells and use my HP. ;) -
Inappropriate?With all the searching I have done on the web, it is obvious Dell is programing these laptops to fail only to make more money from customers. And worse- it has been working for them while times were good- no-one had the time to check it out. There are thousands with this problem. Dell has been selling us laptops KNOWING they were going to fail when the warranty expires. They don't care. Technology is getting better, not worse. My old Toshiba still works and it's 10 years old. This Dell 1525 is just over 1 year, and the A.C. adapter is not recognized. Nice. Dell is not adding Value- they are taking it from us. We need to inform the public. Everyone needs to know.
I’m convinced
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And for Electrojake's answer, once the system in out of warranty you have to fix it on your dime. If they fix yours properly, then they have to do the same to everyone else's. They set a presedence. They can't just fix yours. That's why they keep you happy until the warranty expires. But once it does, you will feel like the rest of us. Because it's only gonna last another 6 months by your own history. Then what?
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And for Electrojake's answer, once the system in out of warranty you have to fix it on your dime. If they fix yours properly, then they have to do the same to everyone else's. They set a presedence. They can't just fix yours. That's why they keep you happy until the warranty expires. But once it does, you will feel like the rest of us. Because it's only gonna last another 6 months by your own history. Then what?
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Inappropriate?Good point!
If they fix one (out of warranty) unit, they have inadvertently opened the flood-gates and will have to fix ALL out of warranty units. Ouch! That would overload anybody, even Dell.
It still seems strange to me that I am now going on my third system board (under warranty) and they keep sending me defective product.
And one other point worth mentioning. . .
The "new" board they sent me was clearly marked "Refurbished". I had high hope that a refurbished board had a better chance on not re-failing than a bran new one. . . Wrong!
-Ej-1 Comment Add a comment
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DELL is making a very badwill case, no-one will buy another DELL equipment if it instantly fail time to time, specially when it is soo easy to search for folks with simulary or identical problems.
I dont think it is worth the efford else consider to fix a failed DELL laptop for own money, the will anyway fail again soon later.
DELL must looze alot of future customers with the current action agains this failware (id-chip in AC or motherboard get damaged) and badware (the disable of battery charging function).
No-one will ever buy a DELL computer anymore! -
Inappropriate?There is one Dell employee on this forum?!
Help us please!1 Comment Add a comment
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I have seen this issue sins 2004 and DELL has done NOTHING else but replacing the "malfunction" parts within warranty but done nothing to fix the real problem. They will loose many future customer if the continue the current way of doing business with deceiving there customers.
The might go out of business and leaving customers behind same as there Dell employee will do, be forced to find a new employment. -
Inappropriate?it's all over the world! i am sick of them too!they should pay for making only bad products,and yes i don't thinck it's legal.
and i have a question,is it possible that the bad ac adapter ruin ed my battery?now i have this message too,along with the ac adapter,now the battery cann't be determined either.
I’m frustrated
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You ruin your battery if you let it get empty! You should find an other working computer and charge the battery before it's get damage.
You should run your computer without the battery if you have this problem. -
You ruin your battery if you let it get empty! You should find an other working computer and charge the battery before it's get damage.
You should run your computer without the battery if you have this problem. -
You ruin your battery if you let it get empty! You should find an other working computer and charge the battery before it's get damage.
You should run your computer without the battery if you have this problem. -
I am not sure, I am getting the same error message as everyone else BUT my adapter is fine!! My batter is ruined however!!! I took my computer to a tech to look at because its not under warranty anymore, and he tried my adapter with a DELL he has there and my adapter is fine, my battery caused the message on his Dell when he switched it out! I have New Battery on the way, but I still think its only a temporary fix sadly. I will NEVER buy a DELL again!! I a tell others not to either!!!!
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I am not sure, I am getting the same error message as everyone else BUT my adapter is fine!! My batter is ruined however!!! I took my computer to a tech to look at because its not under warranty anymore, and he tried my adapter with a DELL he has there and my adapter is fine, my battery caused the message on his Dell when he switched it out! I have New Battery on the way, but I still think its only a temporary fix sadly. I will NEVER buy a DELL again!! I a tell others not to either!!!!
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I am not sure, I am getting the same error message as everyone else BUT my adapter is fine!! My batter is ruined however!!! I took my computer to a tech to look at because its not under warranty anymore, and he tried my adapter with a DELL he has there and my adapter is fine, my battery caused the message on his Dell when he switched it out! I have New Battery on the way, but I still think its only a temporary fix sadly. I will NEVER buy a DELL again!! I a tell others not to either!!!!
