AC Adapter working/not working

Question

Starting yesterday, my power adapter has being going through periods of not working and working again. My laptop is my main computer so it's always on, and sometimes when I move the cord the 'Your internal network card has been de-activated to optimize battery life' and the battery will come up in the task bar like it's been unplugged. Then when I jiggle the cord a little more it will act like it's been plugged back in, even though it's been plugged in the whole time. Is it a AC adapter problem, or a problem with the plug in, or something that's fixable without having to buy another AC adapter? Thanks ahead of time.

AussieChris · Answer

Hi,

It may be the cable / plug on the adapter, but could be the socket, which is part of the MBD. See if you can borrow another adapter to try.

Regards Chris

Jutt54 · Answer

I'm having the same issue....

leftanddie · Answer

I just spoke with Dell Support about a hour ago because I was having almost the same problem. My monitor would dim then light back up about 3-5 times a second making for a uncomfortable computer experience. They refused to acknowledge that it might be an internal problem (after all that would cost money). The man insisted it was the cord. I informed him my friend has the same model laptop as me (5160) and when we switched power cords mine worked in his yet his wouldn't work in mine. His response was 'Since each system comes with a unique code interrupt which is recognized by the ac adapter so the others wont work on yours.' I just said okay fine so I wouldn't have to make sense out of that or deal with him any longer. So I'm waiting to see if it works when it comes. I doubt it will but new adapter is better then nothing. Let me know if you make out any better then I did.

celestialfire · Answer

I switched adapters with a friend who has a 600m, mine is a 7000 and it worked fine. I chatted with Dell tech support and told him and ..I don't exactly know if I'm being sent a replacement or if I'm sending mine in, but they're doing one of those two.

leftanddie · Answer

Thats what I was thinking but since I was pretty sure I wasn't going to get anywhere with this rep I figured I would just let him send it to me and move onto someone else when the new power cord got here. Thanks for the thought.

AussieChris · Answer

Leftanddie,

It sounds a little doubtfull, if you cant swap with a friend, why will a new one work ? It will be loose contacts in the socket most likely. A motherboard after the adapter doesnt work.

Regards Chris

Jutt54 · Answer

Man I'm in a bind. I haven't called care yet.... but it HAS to be the contact. I have to call tomorrow. I'll let you know how my luck is.

NovaPhi11 · Answer

I have been having the same problem where my ac adapter doesn't seem to be making an connection with the body of my computer.  It will connect every now and then, but one sharp move and I have lost the connection completely.  Did anyone have success with a new adapter?

amisp · Answer

Where can I get an adapter?  This is my only computer which I use for work.

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AC Adapter working/not working

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