Power adapter cannot be determined when docked, hit F1........

Question

When I plugged in my dock and used the orginal power adapter from my lappy I get a message saying that my system is docked but the AC Power adapter type cannot be determined. Hit F1 to shutdown. Either undock or insert an appropriate adapter.

The Power adapter on my lappy which is a D600 Dell Latitude is a PA-12 but on the back of the dock it says to use a Model PA-10. I just bought a PA-10 and get the same message.

So what's up? Is there some setting to make this docking station work? Is it the power adapter or the dock itself? I tried wiggling the plug in when I turned it on to see about loose connections but no luck.

Message Edited by forjonny on 08-11-2005 02:20 AM

AussieChris · Answer

Hi,

It sounds like a faulty Dock. The Dock wants the PA10 because it is 90 watts to run extra loads. The PA12 is 65 watts which is fine on a D600. Are you under warranty ?

Regards Chris

forjonny · Answer

I bought a stupid PA-10 like new on eBay. Didn't work. $34!

alvit70 · Answer

Hi, I have the same problem with Ispiron 8600 and D/port PR01X, I have try the PA-12, and two PA-10, one included with the dock and another one. The system don't see AC power plugged into dock and tell me to press F1 to shootdown.

What we can do now?

forjonny · Answer

I sent the dock back to the guy and sold the PA-10 on Ebay as I bought them separately. So now I may get one from my company who owns the laptop so maybe that will work.

keyrad · Answer

this is a common problem for me because I see these systems everyday. (everything is easy if you know the answer). The deal is; there are two power supplies for these systems. One for the dock and one for the laptop. One (the dock power) is slightly larger that the laptop PS. The reason for stopping at the F1 prompt is because you are using the PS designed for the laptop and NOT the dock. Once the correct PS is attached the problem is gone.

forjonny · Answer

I have the right PS. Like I mentioned above. I sent it back anyway and sold the PS on Ebay. Got my company to send me the kittenkaboodle new so this one works.

While I have you here, do you know where I can get a exploded view of underneath a keyboard on a C-600 Latitude? Is there a link or will U tell me how to get there?

arena225 · Answer

That docking station uses a 90W adapter. The laptop itself uses only a 65W one. There should have been an adapter that came with the docking station, and it should be a tad bigger than the one that came with the lappy.

aodiov · Answer

I don't understand why the dock would need more power than the laptop itself.

Is there a way of forcing the docking station to accept the laptop's AC adaptor? (I'm not afraid of opening the dock up or voiding the warranty)

Thanks.

keyrad · Answer

This is the way of the world, my friend. The reason for two PSs, in this proprietary world, is so they (Dell) can sell two of them instead of the one-for-both as in their previous offerings.

aodiov · Answer

Thanks for your honest answer. I'd rather hear that than some stock phrase like "I'm sorry sir, but in order to use the PR01X, you must use the PA-10 adapter."

What I'm pretty convinced of, though, is that the PA-12 would do just fine, even with the lower power. There must be some chip or something else inside the PR01X that prevents it from working. Now if there were some way to disable it...

(I already plunked $30+ on EBay for the PA-10, but it would save others some money....)

Message Edited by aodiov on 10-03-2005 03:22 PM

5-ht · Answer

FYI, not all PA-10 are alike, it's a family of similar power adapters. There is usually an additional model number like "PA-1900-02D" for my particular 90 watt version.
There is an electronic ID chip in these supplies (like the Dallas Semiconductor DS2401, http://www.maxim-ic.com/quick_view2.cfm/qv_pk/2903) that identify it to the motherboard.

Dell specifies a larger supply for the docking station as it has to power both the docking station and the laptop simultaneously.

If you have a higher power laptop like an M60, it comes with a 90-watt supply which curiously CAN power both units.

aodiov · Answer

I can't believe it! I spent a bunch on EBay to get the PA-10, and it doesn't work... And yes, it's the PA-10 Family, Model: PA-1900-02D, DP/N: 9T215, 19.5V 4.62A. Made in China, Rev L03. Bought from a seller with 99.0% feedback.

The adapter works with the laptop by itself, but not with the docking station. If I connect it to the docking station by itself, then the orange light comes on. If I then dock the laptop, the laptop just ignores the power and runs on batteries...

Could anyone help me out with this? Is there some procedure that might get these to work?

Thanks.

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Power adapter cannot be determined when docked, hit F1........

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