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December 24th, 2008 11:00
Laptop Power adapter issues
I purchased a Dell 1501 for my son last Christmas, actually Dec 1, 2007 is the exact purchase date. He has used it without any major problems until about a week after the warranty expired. That's when the AC power adapter apparently quick working. The computer will not work while plugged in, nor will it charge the battery. Of course being a week out of warranty I would think Dell would be concerned, but I can't even speak to a real person there to see if they are will to assist. Does anyone know where I can purchase an after market adapter for less than what Dell would charge me? Since this is my first Dell product, I'm not overly excited about their product at this time and therefore I don't really want to spend the money for another adapter from them. In fact, it has been such a hassle trying to get support or even just contacting them, that this may be my last Dell product. Can someone please help a desperate and exasperated father?
Mary G
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20.1K Posts
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December 24th, 2008 11:00
Have you tried removing the battery and using just the adapter? It could be that the battery has died and the adapter is fine. You can use the computer with the adapter and without a battery or order a new battery for about $100. Contact Dell Spare Parts. If the computer doesn't work with just the adapter, look at the light on the adapter to see if it's working. If so, you could have a motherboard problem and be looking at an expensive repair. You might be better off buying a new computer with prices as low as they are now.
3rd try
Gimpoid
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December 24th, 2008 11:00
Hi there.
I have had this problem as well. Is the green LED light on the power adaptor lighting up? If not, then it isn't producing any voltage. You could try to open it, and if you know someone handy at fixing SMPS power supplies, ask them to check it over. If it is lighting up, then it could be a break in the cable, or a bad connection at the connector in the laptop. If you have a cheap basic multimeter, you can check for voltage at the adaptors barrel connector which should be around 19V. The outer metal of the barrel is negative, the inside metal of the barrel is positive. The tiny centre pin is the 2.5V signal ID line, which the laptop uses to ensure you aren't being naughty and using a non-Dell adaptor that might have been cheaper than their product. As far as I know, you can only use a Dell adaptor as most other universal ones use the tiny pin in the middle of the barrel as the 19V positive supply. There may be compatible non-Dell ones marketing for this specific laptop, but if they lack the data ID line, the laptop will refuse to work properly and will not charge the battery (this is to ensure you buy the Dell one at great expense - oh yes, Dell is a very cynical company and I shall never buy from them again.
My solution was to buy a second-hand adaptor from eBay. A lot cheaper than the Dell site wants for them, and the satisfaction that I haven't put even more money directly into Dell's overfilled pockets.
Hope this helps a bit.