Like so many others, my Alienware can't seem to charge itself, even though it's using all of the equipment it came with. The bios detects the AC adapter just fine and claims that the battery is operating normally but if i allow the battery to drain at all (you know, like using a portable computing device without an outlet...like they were designed for) windows reports that the ac adapter is plugged in, not charging. 

This is ridiculous. a "top end" laptop shouldn't have this sort of issue. the best part is that it only presented itself shortly after I went out of warranty, so, from a hardware stand point, I can only assume that any fix is going to require $$. if it is faulty hardware and I do have to come out of pocket for it after only a little over a year of ownership, that will certainly make my next purchase decision easier. 

if anyone has an answer that will fix this clearly known issue, please let me know. it's getting really annoying. 

Thanks.