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13328
"AC Power Adapter type" Error
I have an Inspiron 600m, and this error on boot is my problem. Well, the consequences of the error are the problem really. The battery will no longer charge and the computer is reduced in speed by an order of magnitude.
I have isolated this error to the motherboard. Dell says that the motherboard must be replaced (for around $1000, the laptop cost $1300 new). I think this is absurd. The problem is obviously that the BIOS is specifically engineered to prevent the use of third party power adapters. I am not, nor have I ever, used a non-Dell power adapter. Also, it has always been the proper type of adapter for this laptop.
The problem is that the battery will not charge, and since the receptacle for the AC adapter is slightly damaged, the adapter falls out easily. Also, the processor speed is crippled from 1.3 GHz to 275MHz. This makes it incredibly difficult to do any real work, since at any moment the laptop may completely die, not to mention that it is very slow at compiling programs. The laptop has no problems other than it will not charge the battery and that it runs at an artificially crippled speed.
It seems that I am caught in a money making scheme Dell has cooked up. Either fork over $1000 for a new motherboard, or some other sum for a completely new laptop. Either way, Dell wins, and I, a loyal customer, lose.
I have called Dell Tech Support multiple times asking to be transferred to someone who might be able to help me disable this "security feature" (as it was once called by a rep) only to be met with stonewalling and demands for me to send the laptop for a motherboard replacement. I don't understand how Dell thinks that this is good for business or customer relations.
Replacing the motherboard is absolutely not an option. I refuse to replace the entire motherboard simply because an utterly trivial communications pin is unable to speak to the AC adapter. I have seen no other device that needs to speak to its power adapter, why should this computer. I am trying to give Dell the benefit of the doubt here, but my patience is growing very thin with tech support.
My request is simple. Does anyone know of any way to disable this "feature" and restore my laptop to normal operating speeds and ability to charge the battery.
David
I have isolated this error to the motherboard. Dell says that the motherboard must be replaced (for around $1000, the laptop cost $1300 new). I think this is absurd. The problem is obviously that the BIOS is specifically engineered to prevent the use of third party power adapters. I am not, nor have I ever, used a non-Dell power adapter. Also, it has always been the proper type of adapter for this laptop.
The problem is that the battery will not charge, and since the receptacle for the AC adapter is slightly damaged, the adapter falls out easily. Also, the processor speed is crippled from 1.3 GHz to 275MHz. This makes it incredibly difficult to do any real work, since at any moment the laptop may completely die, not to mention that it is very slow at compiling programs. The laptop has no problems other than it will not charge the battery and that it runs at an artificially crippled speed.
It seems that I am caught in a money making scheme Dell has cooked up. Either fork over $1000 for a new motherboard, or some other sum for a completely new laptop. Either way, Dell wins, and I, a loyal customer, lose.
I have called Dell Tech Support multiple times asking to be transferred to someone who might be able to help me disable this "security feature" (as it was once called by a rep) only to be met with stonewalling and demands for me to send the laptop for a motherboard replacement. I don't understand how Dell thinks that this is good for business or customer relations.
Replacing the motherboard is absolutely not an option. I refuse to replace the entire motherboard simply because an utterly trivial communications pin is unable to speak to the AC adapter. I have seen no other device that needs to speak to its power adapter, why should this computer. I am trying to give Dell the benefit of the doubt here, but my patience is growing very thin with tech support.
My request is simple. Does anyone know of any way to disable this "feature" and restore my laptop to normal operating speeds and ability to charge the battery.
David
nekkrist
8 Posts
0
March 2nd, 2005 13:00
Frazell
307 Posts
0
March 2nd, 2005 14:00
I don't know the power requirements of the 600m, but you should have ensured the adapter you used was compatible with your laptop power wise. It sounds like you used an adapter that didnt offer enough power to your machine. For instance, my i5160 needs 130W of power to operate properly... I can use a 90W adapter according to Dell, but i would get an Error and speed can be reduced, nor will my battery charge.
Also if you use a third party adapter you will void your warrenty. That's not something Dell does just to get over on you it's simply because they cannot ensure the third party adapter is compatible. So they shouldnt have to pay for a new board and repairs for you when you intentionally put your machine in harms range...
nekkrist
8 Posts
0
March 2nd, 2005 16:00
The motherboard broke because it is intentionally designed to break. The problem here is that Dell intentionally included an easily breakable part directly on the motherboard so that an entire motherboard replacement would have to take place. The part shouldn't even exist in the first place.
As long as I am using Dell parts I expect my laptop to work properly. This communications pin nonsense is just silly. It's like saying I have to replace the entire engine block in my car if a light on the dash burns out...thats just silly. If anyone can tell me how to disable this "feature" please let me know.
Message Edited by nekkrist on 03-02-2005 12:36 PM
nekkrist
8 Posts
0
March 2nd, 2005 20:00
For example, my screen has about 7 or 8 damaged pixels at the bottom of the screen that appear to be a result of the screen being pinched by something inside the laptop. Dell would not honor my warranty request because they claimed that it had been damaged by me. It is not worth my time to argue with them, nor my money to get a new screen, so I said "fine" and had it shipped back to me with no service done. This was not a critical failure, the laptop was still perfectly usable, just a small screen anomoly.
I take issue with the buisness practice of Dell. I would be perfectly happy if when the laptop booted it said "The power adapter type cannot be detected. Be aware that using an adapter not approved by Dell for your computer will void your warranty. The computer will run in a low power safe mode to prevent damage to your computer unless you hit escape within 5 seconds." If you push escape, because you are sure the power adapter conforms to the standard, then your battery charges, and the system runs at normal speeds. If not, the battery does not charge, and the system runs slowly.
Why is this not done? Dell refuses to give me a good reason. I am forced to assume that it is because they are trying to be underhanded and sneaky and force people to use Dell products and to replace expensive components like motherboards which are prone to breakage.
I understand and appreciate your advice, I really do, but I was hoping someone might be able to offer advice on how to fix this computer without paying Dell's outrageous prices. Someone in another thread mentioned soldering to fix the broken wire on the motherboard. Since the warranty is void anyway, and the computer is next to useless in its current state, this is actually a viable option for me. If anyone has any ideas let me know.
Frazell
307 Posts
0
March 2nd, 2005 20:00
If it's all Dell parts then why can't you get a warrenty repair? unless your warrenty has expired if so i say look on eBay...
The sensor pin i think was put into place since so many laptops use similar adapters and not all have the same power requirement (like i mentioned about my i5160 above). This would allow the computer to give you some kind of warning about having a lower rated adapter hooked up. I could be wrong about this, but it's my guess...
The only thing i can say about a purchase as big as a laptop is to always always always get at LEAST a 3 year warrenty. As by then it would be about time to update the hardware anyways and if not your machine will be avalible used cheap enough to repair anything yourself. Laptops are a big purchase and it might even be true that manufacturers build it to break (afterall they would love you to buy a new one) and since most people only get 1 year warrentys, who knows. But i mean if you plan on using it for 3 years then get a 3 year warrenty etc.... Repairs are usually sh*t expensive...
Frazell
307 Posts
0
March 2nd, 2005 21:00
Your only other option is to buy a new board on eBay as it would be tons cheaper than Dell, but you have to be comfertable installing it...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=60267&item=6746398416&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
and
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=60267&item=6747309680&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
is what i saw on eBay from a quick search.
I don't know how the warning works as i never hooked up a imporper adapter (i know you said you didn't so i'm not implying you did) as a result i have never seen the warning. I just know i have an option to turn it on or off in my BIOS...
Good luck man...
navitu
1 Message
0
March 13th, 2005 10:00
I tried to come back to old BIOS version, but I need battery connected to do it.
Anyone know how to update my bios without battery connected?
Mok
nekkrist
8 Posts
0
March 13th, 2005 21:00
I have been flat out lied to by several Dell techs about whether or not this was possible. Everyone told me that it was not possible. Unfortunately for them I have found out the truth.
On a related note, I heard from a friend of mine who is an entry level Dell engineer that a software workaround to this cpu throttling/battery charging issue actually EXISTS, but Dell has always neglected to include it in the official BIOS. It seems that Dell is more concerned with bilking you out of your money on unnecessary power adapters/motherboards than actually helping you out. All they would have to do is include this patch in a new BIOS revision and your AC Adapter Type woes would be gone.
After finding out about this BIOS upgrade CD and the software workaround, the fact that they repeatedly deny any such solution and attempt to sell me new motherboards/power adatpers just feels like flat out extortion.
Here are images of the CD, notice that it is an OFFICIAL Dell CD.
CD Close Up
CD with Laptop
alexh3791
1 Message
0
December 21st, 2006 04:00