Yes, I have that problem on a new laptop and I'm with ya.. It seems like a simple enough problem to solve, and Dell needs to do it.

Rami

I am now on my 4th ac adapter.  Dell was slow on replacement, so I bought one on Ebay.  Failed after 1 week.  Used Dell replacement for less than 1 week.  It failed today.  I have replaced the surge protector.  Only have computer plugged in when used.  Hide adapters from the cats when not used.  Think it must be a quality control issue.

Users:

Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.

Make sure that the power adapter is rated for your system.  The Inspiron 8600 was shipped with both the 65 Watt and 90 Watt adapter.  To fully utilize your system, you need the 90 Watt adapter.  The system will run on 65 Watts, but the system must be plugged into the AC current to charge the battery with the power off.  The 90 Watt adapter will charge the battery when the system is in use on AC power.

BobT,

My system won't run with the 65W adaptor. It won't even recognize that there is an adaptor. I think this problem is more than just a difference between the two possible adaptors. Of course, I won't know for sure until I can get my system to run from an AC source. The original diagnosis was a bad AC adaptor, but that service order was disputed and canceled by someone other than the guy who took my trouble call.  Instead, someone in tech support decided to change the motherboard. That having been done, the unit still won't work from the AC adaptor nor will it charge the battery. Tomorrow I get another adaptor and a battery. More to follow.

Signed,

three weeks on a new 8600 and have yet to be able to use it

Message Edited by khaywood on 03-15-2004 04:17 PM

I have the same issue with my Inspiron 8600.

Also problem is that the processor is running at ~600mhz all of the time (never going up at full speed for a 1,5m)...

I'm going to try and get a replacement AC adapter hoping that it's not a motherboard problem ( i read some other threads where nothing was changed after replacing the adpater, an the forum moderator was pointing that the it was probably a problem with the motherboard)...

I agree, I feel like there is a BIGGER problem and Dell knows it - but they don't have a solution.

So why not throw parts around. Try a new battery, then a new adapter ot two, oh well lets try a new motherboard.

When these "solutions" do not fix the problem what is next????????????

The problem is, replacing the motherboard has NOT solved the problem, at least from the threads I have seen. So WHAT IS THE PROBLEM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

my computer is doing the same thing and so is my buddies... what do we have to do?

Today I had the battery and the AC adaptor replaced and, voila!, my 8600 now works from the AC adapator and it charges the battery. So, to recap, new motherboard, modem, battery and AC adaptor and the switch strip along the top of the keyboard area. It had to have been either the battery or the AC adaptor that caused this problem as the other repairs did not remedy the situation.

BTW: the replacement adaptor is the 65W PA-12 model (like the one that came with the unit) and not the 90W model. Go figure.