Power supply not recognized

I have just developed the same problem with my Inspiron 8500 -- odd coincidence. In the BIOS, beyond not being able to "determine" my adapter type (which is original), it says I've got a battery that's about dead (which is now the case) but that charging is "idle." I haven't checked voltage yet but will when I get it home.

The tech's response to your post was not encouraging. Have you found out anything else in the interim, or am I sunk? My service agreement expired, so I'm hoping there might be a solution other than one involving the motherboard.

Unfortunatly the outlook does not look good.  I am no longer a happy dell customer.

"In that case your system motherboard needs replacment as it is not recognising the ac adapter Even when you have swaped the ac adapter .But As per our records, your service warranty has expired on 2004-07-17 . In that case, you can opt for Out-of-Warranty repair. The base cost of repair for an out of warranty system is $269 which includes labor, shipping both ways, and any parts other than a motherboard or LCD((plus $699 if the LCD or motherboard needs to be replaced). The estimated turnaround time is 5-7 business days, dependent upon parts availability. To have service arranged, you can, contact our Mobile Computing Hotline"

Great, so I fork over big bucks for a computer, and after one year the motherboard is shot, and I have to hand over another $1000

So, is there a fuse blown that I can fix myself?  Are these computers really that bad?

However, that is just the beginning.  My computer first did not recognize the power supply back in June.  I did the obvious and ordered a new power supply immediatly from another company so I could trouble shoot the problem before going to dell and filling their cutomer support.  First I was sent the wrong power supply, I sent that back, and then got one DOA.  I sent that back and then finally got a good one, but that did not fix the problem.  I then contacted dell support, but I was "too late" because my warrenty had expired.  I have the paperwork to prove all of this.

The hard drive in this computer has also shot craps before  . . .   What's goin on?

Let me know if anyone finds a fix for this problem.

Thanks for the further information. A thousand bucks to fix this problem that could not have been caused by the user seems outrageous. In any event, it's a dumb way to spend that kind of money, when you can buy a new notebook for about that much money. Decisions.

If you get the message that your AC adapter is not recognized during the bootup, it is normally the AC adapter that is not working. These PA10 adapters are notoriously unreliable. Dell built into them a proprietry adapter recognition circuit that sends a signal to the computer that is interpreted as evidence that it is a genuine Dell 90w adapter. Trouble is the circuit fails more often than not and the computer then thinks you have an unknown brand and type of adapter. The result is the laptop's battery recharge circuit is shut down and the processor is SpeedStepped to a lower rating (usually about half speed). The computer will work fine on AC power with the dud adapter, you just won't ever be able to recharge your battery.

The fact you bought a new power supply and it didn't work can mean one of two things;

(1) they sent you a stuffed AC adapter (this has happened before). 

(2) your AC plugin port on the laptop is faulty (bent centre pin, loose solder joint etc).

Check with your friends etc to see if anyone has an 8500 laptop or has a Dell AC adapter that puts out 90w (ie: a PA9 family or PA10 family adapter). Plug your dud AC adapters into their computer and see if they are recognized. If they work (are recognized) on their machine and not on yours, then the problem is the motherboard AC port on your machine. If they are not recognized on their computer then its the adapters that are stuffed. You can confirm your computer is OK by plugging someone elses AC adapter (90w) into your computer. If it recognizes it then your motherboard is fine. 

Thanks Fat Cat,

    That was informative.  Now one more question.  In the case that I determine the power supply is OK and the motherboard ac  plug is shot, is there a fix I can do myself.  I am no EE but i can solder just fine.  Are there new plugs I can buy somewhere?

Sorry, don't know where you can buy a replacement plug as they are matched to the Dell PA adapters. Check the centre pin of the plug from the adapter is not bent. 

If it is indeed the motherboard that has the problem and not the adapter, you are probably looking at the big cost of a new motherboard (Dell will send you one, but they cost about 1/2 the price of a new laptop). If this is the case, the old motherboard will end up being thrown out so you have nothing to lose looking to see if it is something as simple as the AC plugin port.

The motherboard AC plug is a small square unit that is soldered onto the back left edge of the motherboard via a number of small metal pins. Sometimes these solder joints can break or they may be what is called a dry solder joint (lot of non-conducting oxide in the joint preventing current from passing through). You can check the joints with a multimeter to see if they are working, or resolder them (hold the tip of a hot soldering iron onto each joint till it melts and then remove the soldering iron and let the joint cool down again.

Unfortunately, with these 8000+ series of Inspirons, everything is on the one motherboard (apart from the graphic card) so you can't simply replace just the AC power board, you have to fork out for a whole new motherborad and they cost big time. 

Fat Cat and cdeggz, I just want to say that I'm following this thread, and you two have been really helpful. I have a computer tech looking around for someone else with an Inspiron 8500, so I can test my adapter. I'll let you know if I learn anything. Thanks.   Christy

Thanks for the help.  I will pop open my computer hopefully this weekend and take a closer look.

I finally found someone with a Dell similar to my Inspiron 8500. His was an 8600, and he had a 65-watt power adapter, as opposed to my 90-watt one. An error message came up objecting to the 65-watt unit, but the computer ran, and, more important, the battery charged. I ordered the 90-watt replacement power adapter. It arrived today, and now everything works as before.

Thank you, cdeggz and Fat Cat, for the help. You saved me the expense of at least a new motherboard, possibly a new laptop.

Did you, cdeggz, have any luck taking apart your unit?

Christy