Problem with battery and ac adapter in XPS M140

I am having a problem with my M140 that is similar to those experienced by others, but a little different.

-My computer recognizes my power supply and battery.

-It says the battery is charging, but the level never changes. 

-If I unplug the power supply with the battery in, the computer loses all power (doesn't switch to battery)

-I am unable to power the computer up on battery power.

-The computer works on charger power whether the battery is installed or not.

-This is weird...If I take apart the computer and disconnect everything from the motherboard, then put it back together, it will start up and work on battery as long as I DON'T plug in the ac adapter.

-As soon as I plug in the AC adapter, the same problem with not charging and the computer not running on battery happen.

Is there some propriatary signal in the AC adapter that does something to the dell computer when you use a non-dell AC adapter?

I am running windows vista home edition, have an XPS M140, and the power supply is a non-dell Replacement AC adapter model AD-90195D PA-12 family (65W).

Any help would be appreciated.  I have a Dell adapter on the way (which was painful to purchase because of the rediculous cost and terrible reviews).