AC Power Adapter Problems... Help!

Hi All,

I bought a Dell XPS 1210 in July/06 and moved to Japan shortly thereafter. I have a Dell 65W AC adapter and use it often when charging up my computer. However, recently when I start up my computer I am sometimes getting a "beep" sound followed by the following message:

"The AC power adapter type cannot be determined. Your system will operate slower and the battery will not charge. Please connect a Dell 65W AC adapter or higher for the best system operation. To resolve this issue, try to reseal the power adapter."

After seeing this message I just press F1 and skip it and my computer loads up as normal (possibly with a little delay). My system seems to be operating normal and my battery does not seem affected (yet? lol).

I only get this message some of the time and it is generally at work (I also recently started at new school - which apparently is contributing to this problem).

So, my questions are...

(1) What does this mean?
(2) Do I need a new adapter? (If so, what type? I have 3 year warranty with Dell - is the AC adapter covered?)
(3)If I don't need a new adapter, what is my plan of action?

Any suggestions or guidance is greatly appreciated. Although my system is running fine now I am worried about an eventual meltdown!!!

The Dude

 

I have a Dell XPS M170 laptop and I am experiencing the same problem. From all the posts on the Dell forum, we are not alone. I have replaced the ac jack on the motherboard thinking that would correct the problem and it didn't. I am lucky that my son has a Dell laptop so that when my battery gets low, I can charge it. I don't think Dell will admit that they have a problem. They denied that they had a battery problem for a long time.

 

I also purchased another ac adapter which didn't work. If your laptop is under warranty, I would contact them as soon as possible.

 

I ran into the same problem with my inspiron 6400. I think it has to do with the battery but I don't think it is serious. When this happens I usually unplug / replug the adapter to wall and it works fine after that....

 

mine started doing this after i updated my bios to A06, never had that problem before. And i run the Kingston power brick. if i wiggle the power tip slightly, the error wont happen. then out of the blue, when i plug in, itll do it again.

 

Update,
I decided to purchase a Dell PA15 150 watt adapter and give it a try before looking for a motherboard. Well it works, boots up fine with the adapter and charges the battery. I will be keeping my fingers crossed.

 

my m1710 does the very same error.and it does not charge at all now, it always gives the error.so you think it is defiantely the ac adaptor yes.my system is still under a yr old, am i covered do you think?

cheers
ben

 

I would contact them and explain the problem. They will probably send you another adapter to try out.

 

ok thanks for your reply.i mailed them, hopefully they will get back to me soon..30 quid on ebay for the 150w adaptor.would rather not have to buy another now if its not guaranteed to sort it.thanks

 

Well it worked for 2 days and now it's back to not booting with the adapter and won't charge. Looks like Dell has got us.

 

I had the same problem - I flashed my bios and it seems to have gone away. Considering s4iscool's experience, could be a bios problem.

 

Try calling Dell so that they can check on this and so that you can also check for the warranty so that they can fix this and replace any necessary parts or you might even get another system if ever they cant fix this.

 

just an update to my earlier post - I had the same problem, flashed the BIOS and it went away - this was a couple of weeks ago. The problem occured again today, so flashing the BIOS may only be a termporary fix.