Alienware 15r permanent battery failure

My battery experienced permenant failure but here is my issues.  

I can only use laptop with adapter.  If I unplug the laptop will go dead.

I bought a replacement battery and installed.  I still get a battery permenant failure notice when I boot system.

In bios it says the battery needs to be replaced and is permanently failed.

The battery icon on taskbar says the battery is at 100%.  It also says the battery is plugged in but not charging.

I did some system updates before the problem including the bios.  I tried to install a previous version of bios but can't because it says the battery must be at 10% to do so.

I have tried various fixes on the internet like changing power settings, deleting and reinstalling drivers and trying to reset draining the power.  I have had no luck.

My battery is one month out of warranty but I have a feeling it is not the real issue.

Please help!

Unplug the system and disconnect the battery.  Hold the power button for 30 seconds and then power up with the battery connected.  If you've installed a genuine Dell/Alienware battery and still see that message, it's likely it's the mainboard that's bad -- not the battery.

Hi GOSANKE100,

Is the replacement battery Genuine Dell OEM battery? Where have you purchased the battery from? Is the adapter detected fine in BIOS?

Are you using an original Dell OEM Adapter? When you plug in the adapter to the system, does the adapter stay firm or does it fall off easily? Is the adapter frayed? 

Restart the system and press f2 key to enter BIOS - check the adapter status in BIOS with and without the adapter plugged in. Also, wiggle the adapter cable at the end and see if the status changes in BIOS at any point.

Force the BIOS flash - this might help resolve the issue - http://dell.to/2h9shSO

Kindly review the above article thoroughly before you force the BIOS flash as the Battery is less than 10%. It works most of the time though.

Restart the system and press f12 key on startup - choose diagnostics. Let it run the diags and if you encounter any errors - make a note of the complete error and report the same to us. These are onboard diagnostics and they might possible pick some error if the hardware is not functional.

If adapter is detected fine and nothing works, then the motherboard might be suspected faulty as advised by ejn63,

Also, please click my DELL-username and write me a private conversation with the service tag and your contact details(Name and Email) for case records.

Let us know if you have any other queries.

I purchased the battery online.  It has the Alienware logo on it and looks like the old one.  Th eonly place in bios that mentions the adapter is in the main screen and it says adapter is 180 watt.  The adapter came with the computer.  The adapter looks fine.  It has always fit a little loose but doesn't fall out on its own.

I can't check the bios without the adapter because the laptop will go dead without it plugged in.  I also can't flash the bios without the adapter as the laptop has no power without it.

When I run the diagnostics, the only issue that shows is the battery has critical failure.

I am still wondering whether the update to the bios I did earlier in the month is the issue.  Problem is I can't change it with the state it is in unless you know of another way?

Hi GOSANKE100,

The battery purchased online, was it from a Dell website or other 3rd party site?

Follow the steps listed in the article to force the BIOS flash, but DO NOT disconnect the adapter. With the adapter plugged, force the flash and check.

If possible, test the battery on another machine and check.

If nothing works, then I would suspect a motherboard issue. 

You could contact our team to get a quote for a paid service call - http://dell.to/1vnT6CQ 

Let us know if you have any other queries.

The battery is from a third party.  I will try the force fash.  I am afraid to call and get a quote? $$$

Hi GOSANKE100,

I am not sure if the battery is at fault or not. The only way to confirm would be to test it on another machine or test another good known original Dell OEM battery on this machine. 

Usually 3rd party batteries might be new or refurbished and we can't confirm which one is which.

Try the BIOS flash and keep us posted. 

My suggestion is to confirm the battery fault and then decide about motherboard replacement.

I tried the bio flash but that didn't fix the problem.  I did notice that the adapter plug in to the laptop is very loose but I don't know what that would do to the battery.  Wiggling it while in bios didn't make the status change.  I don't have any way to test the battery.

Hi GOSANKE100,

Thank you for the update.

Well, it seems the port and the adapter is fine since the status does not change in BIOS.

You could take the system and battery to a local store in your neighborhood and test another battery on this machine or test this battery on another machine and that might help isolate the source of the issue. 

You could consider my suggestion, as replacing the motherboard on the system is not an inexpensive procedure. 

Let us know if you have any other queries.

I had the battery checked and they said it was fine.  I am thinking of just having to use it with the adapter plugged in all of the time since a motherboard is about 1/3 of the cost I paid for it.  Only thing is, the adapter is getting worse about falling out.  Any ideas of a fix for this?

the adapter is getting worse about falling out.  Any ideas of a fix for this?

An O-ring or two, maybe some heat-shrink or both.