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194995
AC Power Adapter Type cannot be determined
I get this message whenever I power up my computer (I 8600).
I select F1 to finish starting the computer.
The power adaptor "works" in that it does supply power to the computer.
However, the adaptor does NOT recharge the battery. My battery is at 70% power and holding.
This is a fairly new 8600, purchased in December 2003
I had a problem with the mobo power connecter and had to have the mobo replaced the first week.
I read the FAQ above and reset the BIOS settings as directed.
Did not help.
I also unplugged the power adaptor and took out the battery over night to see if that would reset the system.
Did not help.
I put in my spare battery and tried charging the battery with the computer turned off.
Did not help.
I am one week into a three week business trip and I 'could' wait to get home to have this fixed.
However, I am concerned that my battery will eventually discharge.
I called Dell technical support and hung up after being on hold for 90 minutes.
Any suggestions??
Grant
Message Edited by Granted on 07-17-2004 10:23 AM
Pando
8 Posts
0
July 18th, 2004 05:00
Ceck your power supply connector that plugs into the laptop. Look into the end and see if the center pin is bent. If it is, you probably have a damaged power supply which needs to be replaced.
See this message for more info:
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_power&message.id=27309
Granted
57 Posts
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July 18th, 2004 13:00
Hi Pando
Thanks for your reply. I read the link that you included in your message. My problem is a little different from that described in the link.
My AC adaptor does supply power to the computer, however, it does not charge the battery. So my AC adaptor is still functioning partially.
I did check the AC adaptor connector and the center pin and also cleaned the surfaces inside and outside. (With the adaptor unplugged of course). Everything look ok and the center pin was straight and not touching the side of the connector.
What is odd, the adaptor was working just fine until I turned it on one morning and the problem started. And, I had not unplugged the adaptor and plugged it back in prior to that, so that it could have been damaged??
So, assuming that the adaptor continues to work as a power source I should be ok until I get home from my trip and can spend more time figuring out whether the problem is with the adaptor or with the MOBO.
I am really disappointed that I cannot "rely" on my Dell I8600 to function reliably while I am traveling!!!!
Grant
Fat Cat
131 Posts
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July 18th, 2004 22:00
Granted
57 Posts
0
July 19th, 2004 01:00
Message Edited by Granted on 07-18-2004 09:28 PM
Granted
57 Posts
0
July 19th, 2004 01:00
Message Edited by Granted on 07-18-2004 09:29 PM
Granted
57 Posts
0
July 19th, 2004 01:00
Hi Fat Cat
Thanks for the information.
Are you saying that "my problem is with the AC Adaptor not with the MOBO"?
If so, I would consider that 'good news' in that it is much easier to replace my 90 watt AC adaptor than to replace my MOBO.
Also, I think that the power adaptor is covered under my Dell warranty for the first year??
Grant
Fat Cat
131 Posts
0
July 19th, 2004 22:00
Granted
57 Posts
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July 20th, 2004 11:00
Hi Fat Cat
I checked the speedstep settings and the CPU was running at 209hz instead of 1,700hz just like you predicted. Looks like all I need to do is get a new AC power adaptor from Dell.
Thanks for the help and good news!!
Grant
Message Edited by Granted on 07-20-2004 07:26 AM
SMeK
9 Posts
0
July 26th, 2004 16:00
Ive just started getting exactly the same problem on my Inspiron 8600.
Thanks for the solution, 1 question.
Did Dell charge you for a new adapter or was it covered by warranty?
Granted
57 Posts
0
July 26th, 2004 22:00
Hi Smek
I am still on my business trip and have not yet re-contacted Dell.
My assumption is that both the battery and the AC adaptor are covered by a one year warranty.
I have a 4-year at home warrenty on my I8600.
It is a real pain to have my 1700 mhz cpu running at 210 mhz just because of my broken AC adaptor.
I will be home this weekend and will let you know what Dell says.
I have a neighbor with at 8600 identical to mine and I am going to try his AC adaptor on my system to make sure that this fixes the problem before I call Dell.
Grant
Message Edited by Granted on 07-26-2004 07:17 PM
SMeK
9 Posts
0
July 27th, 2004 11:00
Thanks
I've contacted Dell and awaiting a reply.
In the meantime you could try turning speedstep off in the bios?
That might do the trick and let the cpu run at 1700, but it will run at that all of the time.
Pando
8 Posts
0
July 27th, 2004 14:00
You may want to read this KB article, which explains how power settings affect the speed of the processor. Set it to "Always On", reboot, and see if your processor speed goes back to maximum.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;318682
An excerpt from the article is listed below:
On a Windows XP-based computer, control of processor performance states is inherent. Four modes of operation, known as processor policies, are used to control processor performance states. The processor policies used by Windows XP are:
None Always runs at the highest performance state
Adaptive Performance state chosen based on CPU demand
Degrade Starts at the lowest performance state, and then uses linear
performance reduction (stop clock throttling) as battery
discharges
Constant Always runs at the lowest performance state
These processor policies are directly tied to the power schemes available in the Power Options tool in Control Panel. The following power schemes are provided with Windows XP. Note that additional power schemes may be provided by your system vendor.
Processor Policy
================
Power Scheme AC Power DC Power
Home/Office Desk None Adaptive
Portable/Laptop Adaptive Adaptive
Presentation Adaptive Degrade
Always On None None
Minimal Power Mgmt. Adaptive Adaptive
Max Battery Adaptive Degrade
SMeK
9 Posts
0
July 27th, 2004 15:00
turning speed stepping of has done nothing to effect the speed, its still at 209mhz
Also that Microsoft arctile doesnt seem to have changed the cpu speed. :(
Dell have got back to me and explained that i need to send them a few details and they will send me out a new adapter in 3-4 days
Fat Cat
131 Posts
0
July 27th, 2004 23:00
when you check your processor speed, use the Intel Processor Frequency test (http://support.intel.com/support/processors/tools/frequencyid/sb/CS-007623.htm). It is much more reliable. The speed reported by Windows is often not correct, especially the speed shown on the My Computer Properties dialog. Select the QuickSet ALWAYS ON power option and then run the Intel utility.
SMeK
9 Posts
0
July 29th, 2004 13:00
Update: Sent my form in 2 days ago, dell phoned yesterday to check settings, then the adapter arrived today, even tho is said 2-5 days from despatch
Very good service from this company again, altho they problem may have been known to them still good service resolving it.