The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Dell Inspiron 6400: AC adapter plugged in, but laptop shows orange light

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by starlight1016, Sep 8, 2008.

  1. starlight1016

    starlight1016 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I have a Dell Inspiron 6400. 3 yr old AC adapter broke recently, so I purchased a new one. After using the new one for 1 week, the adapter started to work periodically. I just received a replacement for it today. I noticed when I plug this new AC adapter into my laptop while the laptop is off..the green power light is on. When I turn on the laptop...the power light turns orange.

    What does this mean? Am I still getting power on my laptop? Im afraid to use it because...my battery only lasts 20 mins, and may need to preserve what battery i have left if my laptop can no longer be powered through an AC adapter.

    Thoughts or advice...anyone?
     
    starlight1016, Sep 8, 2008
    #1
  2. Commander Wolf

    Commander Wolf can i haz broadwell?

    Reputations:
    2,962
    Messages:
    8,231
    Likes Received:
    63
    Trophy Points:
    216
    Take out the battery and try powering it off AC... if it works, you're getting power. Else, something is wrong... I think the orange light is reflective of the fact that your battery is on it's last legs rather than anything with the AC.
     
    Commander Wolf, Sep 8, 2008
    #2
  3. starlight1016

    starlight1016 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi! Thanks for the quick response. I had tried that...and it still wont power on. Here are the scenarios:
    1. Removed battery, cannot power on laptop with AC adapter
    2. Attached battery, AC adapter plugged in, power on laptop, but the light is orange (so does the AC adapter work?)
    3. Battery in place, AC adapter plugged in, power OFF on laptop...now the light is green (so AC adapter charging my 20 min battery?)
    4. Lastly, Battery in place, AC adapter plugged in, power ON the laptop, light is orange. Keep laptop on, unplug the AC adapter. Check taskbar on desktop, it shows laptop is plugged to AC adapter (what?!?!?!)

    Please advise. Thanks!
     
    starlight1016, Sep 8, 2008
    #3