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Second broken Dell Adapter Need Help! The AC power Adapter type cannot be determined.
Hi I am having an issue with my Dell Inspiron E 1405. Whenever I plug in my AC adapter I get the Quick Set Error Message "The AC power Adapter type cannot be determined. Your systems will operate slower and the battery will not charge. Please connect a Dell 65W AC adapter or higher for best system operation".
This is the second time i have gotten this message, the last time my computer was still under warranty and they just sent me a new AC adapter and it worked fine for a few months, now I am getting the message again and its no longer under warranty. I plugged in a friends adapter and it seems to work fine.
I don't know what to do, is there any way to get a replacement from Dell?
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Update, I just called Dell and they said there was nothing they could do since its no longer under warranty, should I don't think I should have to buy another one since this is apparently a common problem. I tried going through the website, but they won't let me do anything since I am no longer under warranty. Any help would be really appreciated!
This is the second time i have gotten this message, the last time my computer was still under warranty and they just sent me a new AC adapter and it worked fine for a few months, now I am getting the message again and its no longer under warranty. I plugged in a friends adapter and it seems to work fine.
I don't know what to do, is there any way to get a replacement from Dell?
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Update, I just called Dell and they said there was nothing they could do since its no longer under warranty, should I don't think I should have to buy another one since this is apparently a common problem. I tried going through the website, but they won't let me do anything since I am no longer under warranty. Any help would be really appreciated!
I’m annoyed and frustrated
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Inappropriate?Dell needs a class action suit. This is such a common problem!
2 people say
this solves the problem
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Inappropriate?I also had a problem with my adapter while it was under warranty. They replaced by 90w with a 65w. Now, 6 months later, and no longer under warranty, it broke again today, with the same message as above. I called Dell today, and they won't replace it.
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Inappropriate?Yeah I know, the whole thing is irritating. I am thinking about filing something with the small claims court here trying to get a judgment against them for the cost of a new AC adapter plus fees.
It really sounds like a common problem and they were quite rude when I brought up that it was the second time that I had had this problem. They basically said unless I had a warranty I was SOL and that this was the price I paid for buying a dell.
I was hoping that the dell employees on here would be some help, but the links they have only apply to people who have a warranty. Seriously next time, I am just going to buy a mac, the people at the apple store replace things at the drop of a hat even if you don't have applecare.
I’m pissed off
1 person says
this solves the problem
1 Comment Add a comment
This solves the problem
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hmmm.....i am having the same problem. im not sure how old this adapter is. it's actually for my work dell laptop. but my girlfriend fried my home one by twisting and bending the adapter. so i have been swapping the adapter everyday btwn my work laptop and home one. tonight, i get ""The AC power Adapter type cannot be determined. Your systems will operate slower and the battery will not charge. Please connect a Dell 65W AC adapter or higher for best system operation". at least i can get my work to replace it since it's theirs.
yeah, i going Mac all the way on my next computer. -
Inappropriate?This seems like a common problem and I have seen many laptops with the same one. You can try fidgeting with the laptop power adapter to see if there is a short somewhere in it. Otherwise it sounds like you will have to replace it.
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Inappropriate?This happened to me too, although the worst thing is that it happened two weeks after my laptop went out of warranty! Before it was a constant problem, it popped up once or twice, but unplugging and plugging the adapter back in solved the problem. Doing that routine is no longer sufficient. I never mistreated my adapter; this is a horrifically designed adapter):. If I don't get a replacement/repair instructions, I'll just pay the extra money for a thinkpad over a Dell, as this is just ridiculous.
I’m frustrated and angry
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Inappropriate?I had this same problem with my Dell XPS M1210 Laptop when it was under warranty. I called Dell support and they sent me a replacement power supply. That didn't fix it, and then they sent me a replacement battery. That didn't work, and then they sent a technician that replaced the motherboard. Then it worked fine for a few months. Now the problem started up once again, but now it is out of warranty. In researching this issue online, it seems that thousands have people have had this issue with several different Dell models, and for most it was the power supply. However, I'm afraid to pay the money to replace it because it may not be the root cause. I might just have to buy another laptop, and it definitely will not be a Dell.
I’m a disatisfied Dell customer
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Inappropriate?Hi guys,
I have the same prob with the bum adapter causing battery and other bigger issues. dell has been of no help. I just did a search for -class action suits against Dell adapter problem-
There are a bunch of suits against Dell on this very issue, and since haven't changed their ways, such as recalling the item- there will probably be more lawsuits over this
I’m sad
1 Comment Add a comment
This solves the problem
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I was feeling it was going to come to a Class-action Suit before Dell did anything. You think a business of this magnitude would have been advised from the beginning to replace these free!! Oh well - greed in the corporate world.
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Inappropriate?I have the same problem on my Precision M90. The problem is in the third wire from the power supply to the laptop. This is a thin wire and via this wire the computer determines the power supply type. Because this is a thin wire it breaks easily (when you pick up the power supply by the wire especially). I have solved the problem once by taking of a few centimeters of the wire close to the power supply (and of course reconnecting twe wires....). I'm going to attach another kind of wire shortly, and then I hope to have resolved the problem permanent. For a short while it helps bending the wire close to the power supply when plugging in the connector (the laptop 'talks' to the power supply only when plugging it in...).
I’m sad
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Inappropriate?Just a tip, i'm a broken adapter vetran(2 broken); i tried reconnecting the three wires the first time but it didn't work, anyway you can get working third party adapers; i think mine was only 20 quid (much less than getting a replacemnt from dell plus they don't make money for causing this problem) check amazon
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Inappropriate?I have an Inspiron 1521, and my adapter died just a few minutes ago. My sis (who has the same model as me) had her adapter die yesterday. My family's had three other adapters apart from these die in the past. This is a serious problem, and Dell is no help whatsoever since the warranties expired. :[
I’m super frustrated.
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Inappropriate?Dell customer service/tech won't even talk to it's own customers without a warranty or a $45.00 fee per call.charge. When I try to email for tech help through customer service it looks up my tag and says my warranty expired last month. So Dell, am I supposed to pay just to email a tech question????
Dell obviously thinks it's customers should have no say. But there is power in numbers. And angry ppl are often the only ones who can right a wrong. Complain about this adapter scam to the BBB, and on any blog or forum you can find. This blog was helpful for tips:.
http://www.laptops-battery.co.uk/blog...
I’m ANGRY FOR BEING SCAMMED BY DELL
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Inappropriate?I've gone through 3 dell adapters in the 15 months I've had my Dell notebook. It's not like I have bad wiring in my house causing these adapters to break. So I spent over 2 hrs on the phone with Dell Customer service department yesterday explaining this situation. They refused to give me a new adapter EVEN if I buy the top warranty.
I’m frustrated
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Inappropriate?I would call and complain that they new when they replaced the 65W adaptor, that they should have given you a 90W adaptor. They are ripping everyone off with this problem. Good luck!
I’m livid!
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Inappropriate?There is one temporary fix to this problem. I did it last time when my Dell adaptor gave me this problem. Enter the BIOS and 'Disable Adaptor Warnings.' If that function is not there, try updating the BIOS first.
No more warnings. Just be sure sure to plug in an adequate wattage adapter as Dell's BIOS will no longer warn you.2 Comments Add a comment
This solves the problem
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Complain at U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
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My daughter's laptop is not charging though. If I disable the warning, it is like putting a bandaid on, not fixing the actual problem (no charging)! Her computer will discharge without being connected to the AC adapter!
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Inappropriate?When you got your second adaptor, was it also 65W?? Dell's message about using a 65W or higher is to cover their butts because they only supplied 65W adaptors on many, many computers. What you need to do is to purchase a 90w adaptor. This is what solved my problem with the same error message and it's been perfect since. They know they're error message SHOULD SAY 90 WATTS. However, they'd lose too much money replacing all of our adaptors that failed. I suppose they're choosing to lose their customers instead!! Good luck!2 Comments Add a comment
This solves the problem
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Complain at U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
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As evidenced by me trying to charge my daughter's laptop (needs a 90W) with my 65W power adapter!!!
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Inappropriate?my adpater just broke as well
i hear everyone with the same problem but no solution. Can we buy an adapter at best buy or someplace else?
I’m frustrated
1 Comment Add a comment
This solves the problem
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This comment was removed on 09/03/09.
see the change log -
Inappropriate?I got this computer in March...it is not even 6 months old, but there has to be another place we can buy an adapter instead of from Dell
I’m frustrated
1 Comment Add a comment
This solves the problem
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Complain at U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
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Inappropriate?Mine was coming up with that message, but now any time I plug the adaptor into the wall it starts to let out a high pitched whine. This is the second time this has happened. I can't even charge my computer. This is rediculous.
I’m annoyed.
1 Comment Add a comment
This solves the problem
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Complain at U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
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Inappropriate?please join my facebook group!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid.../groups/edit.php?gid=2550151805951 Comment Add a comment
This solves the problem
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Complain at U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
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Inappropriate?I have an Inspiron 1525 and the adapter went out last week. My warranty ended July 09 and of course this thing went to crap. I looked up and found that some of the adapters have a recall and of course mine wasn't one of them..... SOoooo I posted a complaint to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission as all of you should!!!!!
I’m very frustrated
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Inappropriate?I think you need to buy a new dell adapter for you laptop.
http://www.usa-batteries.com/laptop/d... ,
http://www.laptop-batteries.net.au/de... ,
http://www.laptop-batteries.net.au/de...
I’m happy
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Inappropriate?I think this is a rip off as well. I have always had Dell computers at work (desktops) and have had a Dell Latitude D630 laptop at work for over a year now without an issue with my power adapter. However, my daughter has a Dell D830 for 2 yrs and just started getting the message "The AC power Adapter type cannot be determined". Your systems will operate slower and the battery will not charge. Please connect a Dell 65W AC adapter or higher for best system operation" everytime she booted up. Her laptop is not discharging but will not charge. Since she was very low on battery, she borrowed a friends 90W Dell charger to charge her laptop up to full and when she plugged that in, she did not get the message. Right now, she is able to use the laptop but only connected to power Otherwise it would start to discharge. She's in school and cannot afford to be without her laptop right now! Is the the solution to buy a new Dell 90W power adapter?
I’m undecided
