Dell adaptor not recognized!!!!!!!

[Nino Valenti]

OK!!!! I have 2 Dell Inspiron 1501 Laptops. Recently, I started to receive a warning message that the adaptor was not recognized and to unplug it and plug it back in and that would solve the problem.

Now I unplug it and nothing. It doesn't charge the battery and I have 2 laptops that I have to used plugged in!!!!

I replaced the adaptors and it did not fix the issues.

I did a Google search and I found that this is a common issue with Crap, I mean Dell. Recommendations I found were to replace the Adaptor (done) or to have the Motherboard changed. Also, I read where a lot of people had the M/B changed and the issue came back after a few weeks.

Any ideas on how to resolve this issue.

FYI.... stay away from Dell.

[Muusers]

bios update?

[Selta]

I'm not familiar with those lappies, as we only have Latitudes here at work. However, some of our more abusive users have this happen from time to time. What happens is they stress the connection for the AC adapter on the motherboard. If it's out of warranty we bust out soldering irons and re-solder it.
This may or may not be your problem, and may or may not be something you can re-solder, but it's something to look at.

[Georynn]

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

I'm not familiar with those lappies, as we only have Latitudes here at work. However, some of our more abusive users have this happen from time to time. What happens is they stress the connection for the AC adapter on the motherboard. If it's out of warranty we bust out soldering irons and re-solder it.
This may or may not be your problem, and may or may not be something you can re-solder, but it's something to look at.

You tried a new battery?

If a new battery wont fix it, sounds like the inverter card is pooped...

if these are poorly engineered from the factory, th replacements are gonna be poorly engineered as well. Fix em. Then upgrade!

[Selta]

Originally Posted by Georynn

You tried a new battery?

Oh, trust me, we've tried all the goodies. We opened a case at one point baffled, and saw why. The connectors solder points were literally broken off. Resoldered them, and wham, it began to work like a charm.

[mkrtu9]

sounds like that would do it.

[Georynn]

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

Oh, trust me, we've tried all the goodies. We opened a case at one point baffled, and saw why. The connectors solder points were literally broken off. Resoldered them, and wham, it began to work like a charm.

Oh, i get it...

The adapter port on the M/B... stupid surface solder... they break really easy.

Try a new battery Nino... if that doesn't work, you still have an extra battery...

[Selta]

Originally Posted by Georynn

Oh, i get it...

The adapter port on the M/B... stupid surface solder... they break really easy.

Try a new battery Nino... if that doesn't work, you still have an extra battery...

The D600/D800s also suffered from cold solder joins badly, for some reason. Regardless, ended up being bad connections.
New battery is a good place to start, as well.

[Nino Valenti]

I'm gonna try to open it up and see if I can get to the solder connections.

If that doesn't work, I'll look into getting a new battery or seeing if anyone I know had a similar Dell that I can tried their battery. If their battery works, then I'll know if it's the battery or he stupid computer.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[jkritchey]

I'm not optimistic about the battery, either. This is a fairly well known problem. The constant re-connecting of the power jack stresses the connection excessively. A number of shops should be familiar with the repair without replacing the MB.

It's a great reason to use a docking station if where possible.

[Joey3313]

I have the same laptop (using it right now), and I've gotten that error before...It's a really common thing, I guess.

It also used to heat up a lot and then shut down on me...I couldn't be on it for more than an hour without that happening...Once I bought a cooling station (plastic platform with 2 crappy fans), that issue was solved, and for reasons I cannot explain, I haven't gotten that "AC Adapter Type" message ever since.

I am not claiming this to be a solution to your problem, this is simply how this occurred for me.

Good luck with this Nino.

[Nino Valenti]

Took one of them apart and the solder connections looked good. I hit them with my iron anyway but it didn't solve the issue.

Gonna see of any of my friends have a similar dell so I can try their battery and adaptor before I waste money on unneeded parts.

[Nino Valenti]

I've read a few people had the same issue with their docking station.