Battery/power adapter issue

Question

Every morning when I start up the lap gives me an error message on start up, the message starts with Phoenix Technologies and then continues:   BIOS Version A07 BIOS Version: ATAPI CD-ROM: TSST Corp DVD +/-RW TS-TST631A Mouse Initialized The power adapter wattage and type cannot be determined The battery may not charge The system will adjust the performance to match power available Stealth mode is enabled.  Connect a supported AC adapter and re-start the system to enable discrete graphics Warning: A AC power adapter has been detected which is less than the recommended 240 W adapter originally shipped Stealth mode is enabled connect a supported AC adapter and re-start the system to enabled discrete graphics   After pushing the F1 key the boot up starts and the system tray has just the battery icon with the power adapter plugged attached.  After some time the charging icon appears and a information window about stealth mode and re-starting the system. This PC was a used system when purchased and during the initial ~1 year the BIOS would not allow the battery to charge.  I cannot believe that the system was sold with this known issue, however after the BIOS was changed the battery issue went away.  Support sent a new battery and adapter and all was well for quite a long time. Now I get this error message every morning and I grow weary of it. Steps I have taken: 1: Checked battery all blue lights light up when the check button is pushed. 2. Took the battery out and pressed the on/off button for 30 seconds. Did a system check with Alien Autopsy and all passed with the exception of: Main IC  Test, Flash ROM Test, DRAM Test were not supported The instructions were to download the most current BIOS to complete the test.  But I have the most current BIOS according to the error message.   So any suggestions on how to work around this error?

Alienware-Alexa1 · Answer

Hi Whtknight2602,

It sounds like you may have a faulty AC adapter or Motherboard power jack failure. I assume you have a M17X model since it's requesting the 240W AC Adapter. Try this article's troubleshooting and re-flash the latest BIOS for your system. If you have an active warranty, we can help get this problem fixed.

whtknight2602 · Answer

ummmmm  The article was concerning a Mx14, not the Mx17 that I have

Alienware-Alexa1 · Answer

Yes, but the troubleshooting is the same for all laptops. The BIOS step should be performed with the latest for your system.

whtknight2602 · Answer

Everything was ok, EXCEPT there was NO battery status under the BIOS tab.  BTW after restarting to do the F2 check the Alien Sense gain had to be manually reset  again.

Alienware-Alexa1 · Answer

Yeah, older BIOS revisions have no AC adapter indicator. Do you happen to have another 240W AC adapter to connect to this computer?

Alienware-Alexa1 · Answer

Understood, but do you have an extra 240W AC adapter to check if you have the same problem you have with the original AC adapter?

whtknight2602 · Answer

The rest of the checks were ok.  I ran diagnostics and everything passed there also.  Nowhere on the adapter is what output wattage, however from my memory volts times amps = watts and it output 19.5 V and 12.3 Amps which calculate to be 239.85

whtknight2602 · Answer

No just the one you guys replaced after the BIOS  fix.

Alienware-Alexa1 · Answer

If you have an active warranty, I can help you out. Just send me a private message with your service tag.

whtknight2602 · Answer

OK, so how does one do this?

Alienware-Alexa1 · Answer

Click on my user and then click start a conversation

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