"The AC power adapter type cannot be determined. Your system will operate slower and the battery will not charge. Please connect a Dell 90W AC adapter or higher for best system operation"

I am having the same problem at the moment with a XPS M1330 that I purchased from PC World (UK). The error only used to occur occasionally but seems to be getting more frequent and over the last few days has been occuring pretty much everytime I turn the laptop on.

I've just emailed their tech support department so will hopefully hear something back soon!

It turns out my problem was that my adapter got damaged. Part of the wire was exposed. If that's causing the problem for most people maybe Dell needs to reinforce the wire covering better. The wire ended up exposed on mine due to just normal use.

I have had this problem with multiple Dell laptops and multiple adapters. The warning has nothing to do with power adapter issues and everything to do with getting you to buy a brand new adapter from Dell.

I have even taken apart the adapters and done voltage testing. There are many small silver wires creating a jacket around the cable. After a few of them break from bending the cable during NORMAL usage there is a drop in voltage but still PLENTY to run and charge the computer. The whole thing about the CPU running at a slower speed is totally unnecessary and only there to further encourage a new purchase.

The wiring and AC adapter are DESIGNED to fail. I have never had one last longer than about a year. Oh, and if you try to get a non-Dell adapter (universal) it won't work either.
This is basically an engineered weakness causing many AC adapter orders and a borderline scam if you ask me. DONT BUY DELL ANYTHING!

This is the 1st time this has started happening, I don't know if the adapter was damaged when my son pulled it out to pack it up for me, i had to go on a business trip. Missed my flight, came back home and plugged the laptop back on and the error msg came up, talking about reseating the adapter...? I have a Dell Inspiron E1505, and I'm worried about my computer getting damaged

Hello All,

@bwhitaker- I am sorry for the frustration, but I am 100% confident there is no conspiracy afoot to sell ac adapters by designing them to fail. We warranty those parts and designing them to fail would drive up warranty costs. If your ac adapter needs to be replaced, I will be glad to dispatch you one myself, regardless of your current warranty status.

To all others on this thread, if you would like me to replace your ac adapter, please contact the site mods here to get my email address. Then email me your service tag, name and current ship to address. I will overnight you all replacement ac adapters and power cords. Thanks for your patience.

I got this AC adaptor problem suddenly two months ago with my Dell Latitude D800. Huge amount of effort upgrading drivers and troubleshooting and searching, before narrowing the problem to this known.

I've been using another ac adaptor from my port replicator. Packing and unpacking it with extra aggravation--and hoping that it won't fail also.

Found this string several weeks ago. Please advise Bill's email address, so I can accept his replacement offer. Thanks.

I have a D610 with this problem but with a 65W adapter. I have 3 different adapters (2 home/1 vehicle) and they all do the same thing. My computer is a company laptop so they will get to it after the weekend. Seems odd that it occurs with 3 different adapters. This would lead me to think it is something with the laptop itself (software or PC hardware). Will let ya know what happens.

I've had this problem recently also and with an adapter that's less than a year and a half old. My previous one was chewed through and I'd fixed it with some degree of success until it started doing the same thing. I have an Inspiron 8600 and if I'm also eligible for this replacement I'm all for it. I love my Dell and will probably buy another when this one has aged past it's usefulness as this is the only problem it's had in almost 5 years and the one I picked out for my mother has been problem free also.

I'm having this problem as well, on my Inspiron E1705. It began as an intermittent thing; re-seating the adapter plug corrected it then. But it kept happening; now, no amount of re-seating will get rid of the message (and the slower operation, I assume)

My adapter model is in the PA-10 family, model LA90PS0; I too would like Bill's email address to see if the replacement would fix the problem...

Thanks,

Andy

I am ALSO having this problem. I was freaking out because Photoshop and Flash were running so slow, only to find out that it was because the system couldn't recognize the adapter, EVEN though I was plugged into the wall. Therefore, until I get a working 90W adapter, my computer is gimped. I would ALSO appreciate Bill's email address to get a replacement adapter (My computer recognizes older Dell plugs, so I doubt it's the motherboard...).

Thanks!

Usually, you can contact an admin and let them know you need it. I better just post it to save some trouble.

william_bivin@dell.com

Just send me your service tag and current ship to address. If your warranty is long expired, I will not be able to help with a replacement, but if your warranty is current or recently expired, I may be able to help.

This is also happening to me. However mine goes a little deeper.

I have an Inspiron 1520, 5 months old. My power will not charge properly now when connected to the adapter. I simply plug it in and nothing, when I hold the connection at the back it works occasionally but the charge just switches on and off intermittently. I am also getting the above posted message whenever I start the computer with the power cable connected. I have noticed that my computers performance is significatly affected too with all of my programmes running much slower and Microsoft Excel frequently crashing.

Dell have tried to claim that it is the motherboard and added that because of this I am not covered under warranty. The have called back and said they will look at it though now after I stated my complete disgust with the situation. I have a large volume of a lot of sensitive data on the laptop and will now have to do without it for a week while it is returned to Dell.

To say I am frustrated is an understatement.

Bill, if a new ac adapter could solve this I would be extremely grateful.

I hope you dont mind me firing you off an email.

Kind regards,

Anthony

Hi, Anthony,

The problem is caused by a relationship between the motherboard and the adapter, to put it in the simplest of terms. If a replacement ac adapter does not resolve the issue, then you would need your motherboard replaced. Is the system still under warranty? If you are in the US or Canada, I can have a look at the warranty status and issue a replacement adapter if it has not been done already. Are you in the US/Canada, or in another region?

Hey Bill, quick question: Ironically, I now get better performance on battery, because I've set my power management settings to maximum on battery -- being plugged in on an unrecognized power adapter actively forces the performance DOWN. Since I've at least got an older 65W plug that IS charging my machine (albeit slowly), is there anyway to override the "Plugged-in" power settings so the system will perform properly when it doesn't recognize the adapter? It's crazy that Flash crawls when plugged in, but runs smoothly on battery ;) Thanks!

I also have this problem with my E1705; I am out of town and my 3rd adapter just died. I just got off the phone with Dell trying to verify compatibility of replacement 130 watt and 150 watt power adapters listed in this article I found on Dell's website (see below), but after 20 minutes of talking in circles with two CS reps that had no clue I just coun't stay on the phone any longer.

Journal ID: 08183D5NMF
Article ID: 334283
Date Published: 10/9/2007
Last Revised: 3/13/2008

There is much conflicting info on the website forums about things like 2-prong vs 3-prong adapters, stray electrical charges, power jack vs motherboard etc. I need another adapter NOW because I have no other option, and thought maybe more watts would help as my system runs really HOT. I also had to replace the battery a few months back, and I am not a happy camper. Any suggestions are welcome.

captaincarrot,

I can think of no way to over-ride the throttling down due to the unrecognized AC adapter message. I believe I sent you a 90 watt adapter, right?

michele,

If you would like, you can email me your service tag and current ship to address on the road. I will look at your warranty, and see if there is anything I can do on my end to help.

Bill, I'm having trouble getting email to you; I've tried to send one out for the last 20 minutes and am getting an error in outlook... I clicked the link you posted for your email, but it's not working for me.