Plugged in ... Not charging??? why???

I'm cross-posting this in several related threads. I have a different model Dell than you do, but maybe this will help. Some seem to think this is a motherboard issue, but on my model that wasn't the problem. FYI...

I am having the exact same problem on my five month old Vostro 1710. On this model anyway, it is NOT a motherboard problem. I'm still under warranty, so Dell sent a tech out to replace the motherboard and the power adapter. Brand new power adapter didn't solve the problem, so he went on to change out the motherboard. But once he got the system apart, he could see that the port where the adapter plugs in is NOT even part of the motherboard. It's connected to the plastic chassis underneath, by a couple of tiny plastic pieces, which had broken. Without those pieces to hold it in place, the port was loose and couldn't make a good connection anymore.

This is 100% a design flaw IMO...it doesn't take much to break those little plastic pieces. In my case, five months of normal usage (plugging and unplugging the power adapter once or twice a day) was enough to break the plastic and render the port inoperable.

My point being...this is NOT necessarily a motherboard problem, even though tech support seems to think it is.

I have a INSPIRON 8600. A little while ago I gor the same error message about power. I replaced the battery last year, this only lasted a short time as far as charging battery. I continued to use from a plugged in situation, assuming it was a defective battery. I purchased a new battery, and it dosen't charge. What does Dell think, people won't notice this! I'm frustrated at the waste of money and time I spent trying to solve this problem, just to find out its a mfg. problem. Can anyone give me advice on how to get this system to charge the battery again.Thanks

When the adapter (PA-1900-02D3) that came with my M1330 began behaving erratically, I ordered an adapter from a fairly reputable seller on eBay. The new adapter has the model number is called P-1900-02D, and as far as input output voltage, current, frequency are concerned is same as my original adapter.

However, when I plug-in the new adapter, the battery refuses to charge, neither does it discharge - so it is clear that the notebook is receiving current from the adapter.

I am confused regarding the reason behind such an oddity.