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7 Posts
1
3442429
December 6th, 2008 22:00
AC Power Adapter Type Cannot Be Determined
So.. I see this problem has been posted about before, so I just wanna know what my options are.
This problem actually popped up on me a few months ago, but I was able to remove and insert the power cord a few times and the message would go away and I would be able to charge my battery. But as a month or two passed, it became more finicky, and I had to jiggle with it a little more, but still, I was able to charge my battery and use my laptop wire-free.
Now today, I've been trying all day, and cannot for the life of me get the battery to charge. I get the following message when I plug the wire in.
"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 best system operation."
Also, I think its worth nothing that a lot of people mention that this error message comes up while they are booting their Laptops, mine only comes up once Vista is loaded and I attempt to reinsert the cord.
So, I have tried another Dell charger, a 90W one, and the same problem does occur (My original is a 65W). I am planning on getting a different battery tomorrow to see if it is the battery, as this ones usable life was getting quite low, down to barely a half hour per full charge. My warranty, although I'm not sure of the specifics, was not expired when this problem first came up, but is now expired by I would say 2 months at the most.
Oh, I have a M1330, and I have gotten a lot of use out of this laptop, and I was hoping to use this for school beginning in mid January. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions about what I should do? As I said I am a student, so the more cost-friendly the better. Thanks a lot
Rajat Varma
MvanLDW
3 Posts
0
January 5th, 2013 04:00
Hi. Thanks for your reply.
Hope your solution works for me too.
I have the same problem with the adapter for quite some time (with my Dell Inspiron 1420).
It would/will eventually charge, after a while. So never became a real issue, but was/is bothersome.
Today I decided to search it online.
Never thought this was such an issue with so many people. And that this seems to be a Dell particular problem.
Got really concerned when reading posts that charger plug on the laptop need to be replace, or even worse,... the whole motherboard !!!!
I was thinking I may need to get a new adapter, or perhaps new battery for the laptop.
I imagined adapter could be defected, kids may have dropped it, pull on wires, etc,...
or battery could have gone dead,... hard to imagine, cause we don't use the 1420 so much,... but was plausible, I suppose.
But a defected charger plug on the laptop !???? Changing the whole motherboard !???....
And I thought Dell was so good. Was/am very happy with my Dell, ... and if I had to buy new computer, probably would have gone Dell again.
Now I'm not so sure anymore. Now I think of it, I had another problem, that also seemed Dell related. A problem with the DVD drive. It would not work. Had to play with it, then it would, but eventually it wouldn't work no matter what I did. Solve that by buying an external DVD drive.
Then again other brands have their problems too I suppose.
But I am disappointed Dell has these problems. I thought I finally had the 100% best brand available.
So sad,............. :-(
Thanks and regards
MvanLDW
MvanLDW
3 Posts
0
January 5th, 2013 07:00
"Thanks for your reply. ",... ---> I was referring to asfal96 post., suggesting,... shake gently and clean pins
MvanLDW
rouand
1 Message
0
February 12th, 2013 14:00
Googling around found this
http://jack380.wordpress.com/2009/03/06/how-to-solve-the-problem-dell-ac-power-adapter-type-cannot-be-determined/
I didn't try it, but I think this dude knows something
Guru_Inspiron_6
4 Posts
0
February 25th, 2013 01:00
I am having the similar issue, When i connect my Laptop charger it is showing me the below error message .
I contacted Dell Technical support and i have my Dell Next Business Day service valid until April 2013, However Dell has mentioned that it will not cover this issue under warranty. Can you please help on how to proceed on this.
Thanks for your time.
happyhappyhappy
1 Message
0
March 3rd, 2013 11:00
Thank you for the tip worked perfect...:emotion-2:
DARSHAN R
12 Posts
0
March 12th, 2013 08:00
i have also been with the same problem what i did is .I reinstalled the OS and also updated the bios this worked me no problem since then . i hope my suggestion helps you
DARSHAN R
12 Posts
0
March 12th, 2013 08:00
i have also been with thw
DARSHAN R
12 Posts
0
March 12th, 2013 08:00
i have also been with the same problem what i did is .I reinstalled the OS and also updated the bios this worked me no problem since then . i hope my suggestion helps you
TheMasterslave
1 Message
0
May 12th, 2013 14:00
Exact same error, fix simple. The power adapter has a single pin visible on the end that plugs into the laptop. Mine was bent. Straitening it with a screw driver (while unplugged from AC/wall) resolved the problem.
KerouacKay
1 Message
0
August 11th, 2013 20:00
RAMKI1 - Your tip about holding the power cable by the circular flex, pushing the power pin in with force and holding it for a few seconds worked for me. Very simple but it now consistently guarantees that my laptop recognises the power source and always charges. Thank you!
kx250f
1 Rookie
1 Rookie
•
1 Message
0
November 14th, 2013 21:00
I know this is a really old post but with people replacing mother boards to fix this problem, I thought I'd post my solution. I started getting the same error message on my old Inspiron 1501 about two months ago. I purchased a new knockoff AC adapter for $8 from the biggest online retailer and as soon as I plugged the new adapter in, the problem went away. Cheap, easy, quick fix.
freddybblue
1 Message
0
March 2nd, 2014 15:00
I have a Inspiron 5735, and I recently got the issue. I haven't contacted Dell yet but I decided to look inside the input in my laptop. I noticed one of the links were bent and I just poked it around a bit till it was standing. And I replugged and I didn't get the error.
- I highly doubt it'd work but It's worth a try.
ajzima32
1 Message
0
April 1st, 2014 14:00
I have the SAME problem with my Dell Inspirion 5421.
This is the first DELL system I have ever bought and I'm already experiencing this.
Im planning on getting a
1. New charger
2. Battery
I only think I need a new charger because the port inside it is bent ALL the way to the side (Not sure if thats SUPPOSED to happen)
I will also get a new battery (why in the <ADMIN NOTE: Substitute character removed as per TOU> does it cost 100 dollars? 1/7 of my 700 dollars on this pc for that ;-;)
I will keep you updated on what happens to let you know which one to get.
afsal96
2 Posts
0
April 1st, 2014 17:00
Hi
please get original and genuine battery or adapter if you are buying one from the market by design some of the device wont work with cheap or low quality once
Gamebouncer
6 Posts
0
April 25th, 2014 22:00