Dell please help me!

Inspiron 1525 battery will not charge. I get "invalid" adapter. Ive done all updates, bought a new battery etc... I had my IT buddy check it out and it seems I have fallen into the same category as most with the same problem. It seems to be a defect, a motherboard issue. Of course I am a couple of months out of warranty so the guy in India wouldnt even speak to me unless I bought the extended warranty.

Any help here? Or am I just to never buy a Dell again?