"AC Power Adapter Not Determined" , and Power Adapter Won't Work

No, it is not the data pin. It's not bent. I had a very annoying session with your very annoying technical support people that ended up with me buying a new power adapter for 100 dollars. ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS. Come on, that's retarded and expensive. Just because my warranty doesn't cover anymore doesn't mean you need to be outrageously expensive.

So, you bought an ac adapter that did not resolve your technical issue at the recommendation of tech support? I believe you would be entitled to a refund for that order. I can get that processed for you if you want to email me your service tag or that order number. I could also look at when your warranty expired, and any logged contacts we have to see if there is any way I can help you without your having to foot the bill. Not that I am guaranteeing I can get the motherboard replaced out of warranty, but it's worth looking into. At the very least, you should be fully credited for the purchase of the adapter.

Naw, I bought a refurbished and it works now. I have written about it on my blog, and Bill, if I am not mistaken, you have replied:

http://chaotictech.wordpress.com/2008...
http://chaotictech.wordpress.com/2008...

I bought a inspiron 1501 about 14 months ago. It has been a nightmare. The ac adapter broke. I called and they sent a new one. Great! Then the LCD screen failed. They sent me a new one. It works. Then the AC adapter broke again and would not charge my battery or power up. Dell sent be a new battery. Still no luck. Dell decides to send another AC adapter which would not charge the battery so I just have been plugging my laptop directly into the wall. Guess what..the new AC adapter now does not work. I can't power on my computer. I was sold a complete piece of you know what! I called support again...always in India and they informed me that my warranty was up. The warranty parts that were shipped to me do not work or fail soon after I receive them. I have probably spent 20 hours on the phone with tech support trying to decipher broken English for nothing. Is there anyone at Dell who actually cares about the customer anymore? I run a business and if I pulled this stuff on one of my customers I would no longer be in business, I own 4 Dell computers. I will not be buying a Dell product ever again! I simply cannot believe how far the customer service and product has fallen over the past decade.

Dell Bill - Can you point me in the direction of anyone at Dell who could help me?

Thanks,

Tim

its 5765196853

Thanks

Wow...thanks. Do you know when it should arrive? Again, thanks!!

Hi,

What is the problem if the message AC power adaptor is not determined comes up, but you can still have AC power. The battery is not getting charged only. It not the battery cause I have two. And why would the AC power be ON, if there was something wrong with the adaptor? Help, what is the problem?

Thanks

Bill_B has helped me with this problem. Dell Customer Service is not as prompt as I would like, but realistically and hopefully, everything will work out. All it takes is a little patience (it took almost 6 business days to get things almost resolved). Faith in Dell restored (as long as I get my adapter soon)

Hello Dell. I am having the same problem regarding getting the "AC power adapter cannot be determined mesage". I had this problem before and I was sent a new power cord but to my dismay, the problem is reoccuring now. I believe there is a problem with the motherboard since this will be the second power cord that has stopped working. I wish my motherboard would have been tested the first time this problam occured because my warrenty is close to being up if not already (will be checking this out soon). By the way, almost every time I plug in my power cord a spark shoots out from the metal prongs, that is when it actually works. The power cord used to "kick" back in and resume normal powering but now it has given up. I have about 2 hours worth of battery left and am hoping I get help before it runs out. Is this where I make a post to inquire help from Dell? My apologies if this isn't the correct place.

By the way, I have a Vostro 1000 (XP) and it was bought about a year ago.