The “Dell AC power adapter type cannot be determined” problem

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 dell inspiron 1525 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 dell laptop 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 dell inspiron 1525 adapter, 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 inspiron 1525 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.

The problem happens frequently at Dell inspiron 1520,inspiron 6000,inspiron 6400,xps m1330 and so on.

Dell’s Customer service reply :
“I am sorry for the frustration, but I am 100% confident there is no conspiracy afoot to sell dell ac adapters by designing them to fail. We warranty those parts and designing them to fail would drive up warranty costs. If your ac adapter needs to be replaced, I will be glad to dispatch you one myself [out-of-date information removed].




To all others on this thread, if you would like me to replace your ac adapter, please contact the site mods here to get my email address. Then email me your service tag, name and current ship to address. I will overnight you all replacement ac adapters and power cords. Thanks for your patience.”

The Dell support solution about “Dell AC power adapter type cannot be determined”

1. Update the bios (I have A01, A03 is out). Ok, but I can’t. In order to do so, you must have the battery and the dell AC Adapter plugged in or the update program gives an error and forces you to cancel.

2. Motherboard needs to be replaced. Don’t think so, it worked just fine before on the older AC Adapter. Plus if they searched this forum they would see that that did not work for others with the same problem.

The simple solution about “Dell AC power adapter type cannot be determined”

1. buy a new dell inspiron 1525 AC adaptor,

2. Cutoff the connector, remove all the rubber from the connector, trim back and remove the covering from the end of the cable, (where the connector was cut off) then resolder the little wire back to the center pin, then reconnect the existing + and – connections from the cable to the connector. Observe good soldering of the wires connected back as not to melt the insulation of any of the wires. When finished use meter to check for shorts before you reconnect power. Also if you have any Heat shrink tubing apply it over everything you just soldered. Otherwise use Electrical tape. BE CAREFUL AND DON’T WORK ON THE ADAPTOR WITH AC POWER ON. AND DON’T FORGET TO CHECK THE POLARITY OF THE +++PLUS+++  AND —MINUS— WIRES. 

3. Go on EBAY an find a new cable that goes between the adaptor and laptop and replace it.
The all info is from Dell and getsatisfaction.com

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