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108761
February 3rd, 2014 09:00
M17 Ac adapter not recognized
Hello,
I purchased an Alienware M17 R2 last December, I woke up this morning and had an error when I turned on my computer that told me "The AC Power Adapter wattage and type cannot be determined" So I proceeded to check online for known causes. What I found was a lot of people have had this issue over several years. I proceeded to call Dell tech support where a gentleman took my info and told me my machine was out of warranty and that I needed to speak with and Out of Warranty service tech. This gentleman informed that my machine was out of warranty and that it would cost me $179 for them to look at it and the price went up if there where any parts needed replacing. I have tried the fixes "without opening the machine" I have found on these forums but still have the issue. Is there any way to test the equipment with out having new components to swap out? Please understand I am frustrated that if I send this back to Dell that I could have to pay over 400 dollars to repair a computer that is a little over a year old for a common problem.
DELL-Chris M
Community Manager
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56.9K Posts
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February 3rd, 2014 09:00
Michael7715,
AC adapter test
* Be sure the laptop is off
* Disconnect the AC adapter from the laptop and the wall socket
* Remove the battery from the laptop
* Press and hold in the laptop power button for 15 seconds
* Reconnect the AC adapter to the wall socket
* If applicable, wait for the blue LED to light up on the cord
* Reconnect the AC adapter to the laptop
* Attempt to power the laptop on
* Does the laptop power on without the error message using only the AC adapter?
- If no, the AC adapter is faulty or the jack it plugs into on the laptop is faulty
- If yes, continue with the AC adapter/Battery test
AC adapter/Battery test (battery already removed as per instructions above)
* Turn off the laptop
* Disconnect the AC adapter from the laptop and the wall socket
* Press and hold in the laptop power button for 15 seconds
* Reinstall the battery
* Reconnect the AC adapter to the wall socket
* If applicable, wait for the blue LED to light up on the cord
* Reconnect the AC adapter to the laptop
* Attempt to power the laptop on
* Does the laptop power on without the error message using both the battery and AC adapter?
DELL-Chris M
Community Manager
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56.9K Posts
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February 3rd, 2014 10:00
If you still have the error after doing the steps I outlined, the AC adapter could be faulty. If the battery still has a charge, can you boot the system up without the AC adapter connected? Here are the AC adapter part numbers:
J211H AC Adapter, 240W, Delta
J938H AC Adapter, 240W, Flextronics
You can find them online at many parts websites.
Michael7715
2 Posts
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February 3rd, 2014 10:00
Chris,
I still have the error with the battery removed and just the AC adapter plugged in. "The AC Power Adapter wattage and type cannot be detected" I have tested the output voltage at 19.42vdc. The max wattage I observed was 48watts. during power up.
Thanks,
Michael
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
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17.1K Posts
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February 3rd, 2014 14:00
I suggest you drop by an established laptop repair company or maybe a BestBuy store. Try a new/different genuine Dell AC Adapter of proper wattage.
The tiny center pin is how the digital identity code is read inside the AC Adapter.