Well, I dont have another adapter to try at this time.
Could this message be trying to tell me that soon something is getting ready to go out?
I guess it is....I dont want to wait until I am in the middle of work OR saving something and it goes out.
What can I do to take precaution from loosing everything?
I had just did a operating system reinstall yesterday...I hadnt seen this in the whole first year of my laptop's performance...It is 14 months old. I have done a reinstall before and never seen that message.
As above, try another adapter. For under $50 it's the least expensive first fix attempt. If the new adapter does the same, contact a shop that can do mainboard repairs - for $150 or so, the jack can be repaired; if the shop can't repair the jack, you'll need to replace the mainboard (more on the order of $400-500).
I am now having this issue... for my Inspiron 1501
When I start up my machine, I'm told that the system cannot recognize my battery, so I need to install a genuine Dell battery or it won't charge (those are not the exact terms).
Actually, over the last several months, I've been noticing decling battery life. Just the other day (before I got this message) I tested to see how long my battery would last just surfing the net. I had done this as a control when I got it and was able to surf for over 5 hours at my custom power settings (I have the 9 cell battery). The other night I barely got an hour, and that was letting it go to "critical." I didn't push my luck to see if it would actually shut off (as I know the meters can be wrong and you actually have many more hours left... but they've always been pretty accurate).
Anyway... so, I tried the standard things... like taking out the battery and checking the connections. I did the battery self test and I get 4 out of 5 lights, and as far as I can tell from the horribly worded info on battery diagnostics, that means it's about where it should be 14 months out. Also, the meter (before the issue) built into the power mgmt software says that my battery is "Normal," which seems to be good.
But... the exact message I get if I remove the battery while the computer is running and put it back in is:
"The model number for the primary battery cannot be determined. This will prevent any battery present from charging. Please insert a Dell battery for best system operation."
Now... here's the thing. A few months after getting the system, I was having this same problem but with the power adapter. I freaked out as I have had 3 other laptops have power adapter issues after their warranty expiration... but it was always something more than just replacing the adapter... so in other words, I had to s(rap the systems.
So, a few months after getting this system, I get the "system cannot recognize power adapter" message... Dell tech support offered to try a different power adapter. That sort of fixed it, after we did some bios changes again. But, they said if it didn't work, they would replace my motherboard.
Since the issue only came up once more before the warranty was up but went away immediately, I didn't think anything of it.
Now everything I read points to a faulty motherboard.
So, if it's still the consensus that the mother board is defective, what chances do I have of getting them to fix my system, since it's out of warranty, but because they identified the problem previously but did not act on it? Please tell me good!
dtechnewbie
7 Posts
0
May 16th, 2008 00:00
Well, I dont have another adapter to try at this time.
Could this message be trying to tell me that soon something is getting ready to go out?
I guess it is....I dont want to wait until I am in the middle of work OR saving something and it goes out.
What can I do to take precaution from loosing everything?
I had just did a operating system reinstall yesterday...I hadnt seen this in the whole first year of my laptop's performance...It is 14 months old. I have done a reinstall before and never seen that message.
But, what do you recommend?
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
May 16th, 2008 00:00
The message has nothing to do with a driver or Ethernet adapter.
Try another adapter - if it does the same, then you've a mainboard issue - either the power jack or the mainboard itself.
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
May 16th, 2008 09:00
As above, try another adapter. For under $50 it's the least expensive first fix attempt. If the new adapter does the same, contact a shop that can do mainboard repairs - for $150 or so, the jack can be repaired; if the shop can't repair the jack, you'll need to replace the mainboard (more on the order of $400-500).
dtechnewbie
7 Posts
0
May 16th, 2008 10:00
GM!
Thanks for confirming what I should do.
I could just order one from Dell for about 70 bucks and I know I will be able to return it with no problem...
I wouldnt mind paying 50 upfront...Where do they sell for that price?
Dell will prob be the way to go though for peice of mind with the return policy.
mreding
1 Message
0
August 7th, 2008 04:00
I am now having this issue... for my Inspiron 1501
When I start up my machine, I'm told that the system cannot recognize my battery, so I need to install a genuine Dell battery or it won't charge (those are not the exact terms).
Actually, over the last several months, I've been noticing decling battery life. Just the other day (before I got this message) I tested to see how long my battery would last just surfing the net. I had done this as a control when I got it and was able to surf for over 5 hours at my custom power settings (I have the 9 cell battery). The other night I barely got an hour, and that was letting it go to "critical." I didn't push my luck to see if it would actually shut off (as I know the meters can be wrong and you actually have many more hours left... but they've always been pretty accurate).
Anyway... so, I tried the standard things... like taking out the battery and checking the connections. I did the battery self test and I get 4 out of 5 lights, and as far as I can tell from the horribly worded info on battery diagnostics, that means it's about where it should be 14 months out. Also, the meter (before the issue) built into the power mgmt software says that my battery is "Normal," which seems to be good.
But... the exact message I get if I remove the battery while the computer is running and put it back in is:
"The model number for the primary battery cannot be determined. This will prevent any battery present from charging. Please insert a Dell battery for best system operation."
Now... here's the thing. A few months after getting the system, I was having this same problem but with the power adapter. I freaked out as I have had 3 other laptops have power adapter issues after their warranty expiration... but it was always something more than just replacing the adapter... so in other words, I had to s(rap the systems.
So, a few months after getting this system, I get the "system cannot recognize power adapter" message... Dell tech support offered to try a different power adapter. That sort of fixed it, after we did some bios changes again. But, they said if it didn't work, they would replace my motherboard.
Since the issue only came up once more before the warranty was up but went away immediately, I didn't think anything of it.
Now everything I read points to a faulty motherboard.
So, if it's still the consensus that the mother board is defective, what chances do I have of getting them to fix my system, since it's out of warranty, but because they identified the problem previously but did not act on it? Please tell me good!