A PROBABLE solution to ADAPTER problems - Inspiron 8600 and maybe others

Question

I recently read a blog about a very fustrated Dell consumer, whose laptop refused to work due to docking problems. But that wasn't the main point of interest, the more disturbing thing was the amount of COMMENTS the guy had received from as-fustrated Dell customers all over the place. And in the middle of all those comments, a shining beacon of light in the name of a Darrin (god bless you, whoever you are) came with a very probable solution to this adapter-melting unchargable-battery fused-out-motherboard problem of ours. He was fixing his girlfriends laptop when he came across this. What a great guy!!! Here are parts of the first comment he made on the blog: /////-------- I SUGGEST THAT ALL OF YOU WHO ARE HAVING ISSUES DO THIS: look at the bottom sticker, the one with the DELL logo, www.dell.com, FOR USE WITH ADAPTER PA-10 or PA-12. Look at the amperage requirement. The label on my girlfriend's computer says 4.62A. Her Inspiron 8600 requires 4.62A in order to properly function. A 4.62A requirement equates to 90W of power. Now compare the amperage rating on your computer to the Output amperage rating on your AC Adapter. The adapter that Dell shipped with this computer WAS ONLY 3.34A, and 65W. DELL SENT THE WRONG AC ADAPTER!!! This explains why the first adapter went bad, why the battery went bad, and probably why a lot of you are having the same problems. The adapter is not providing enough power to the computer, and in the meantime the computer is trying to pull that power from the adapter, straining it to the point of destruction. If you have Dell Part Number 5U092, the 3.34A 65W adapter (the same one that came with my girlfriend's 8600), check your computer to see if it requires 4.62A (the 90W adapter). I found 2 Dell AC adapters that output 4.62A: P/N: 7W104 and P/N: 9T215. Maybe one of these adapters is what you need. /////-------- Later on the comments list, he can, with a glad note, tell that everything runs in tiptop condition now that he has had his adapter changed. I think he even made Dell send him a new adapter and battery, after making Dell understand that THIS IS NOT A WARRANTY-ISSUE. This was a MISTAKE made from Dell's side, and to prevent further agitation amongst their customers and technicians alike, someone should look into this problem ASAP. I've sent an email to my local Dell site (Norway) and I expect a reply soon. Luckily nothing has happened to my laptop as yet, but I am NOT going to sit around here, waiting for the unspeakable to happen. I really love my laptop, it is one of my dearest possessions, and my entire life is on it. It is perhaps dangerous to say so, but if Dell refuses to provide me with the correct adapter free of extra cost, I will go out and buy the stupid adapter myself, and I will tell absolutely everybody I meet who is looking for a laptop to forget about Dell, since their follow-up service on customers is non-existant. Here is the link to the blog: http://geekswithblogs.net/jjulian/archive/2004/12/09/17171.aspx I got seriously scared, reading about all those people with problems, likewise here on the forum aswell. My laptop was running fine, but I checked the info and all, and it is indeed what Darrin said; the output of my adapter is lower than what the laptop needs. I think Dell consciously chose an adapter with lower ampere, but I am suspicious of if it was right or not. If there are any important DELL-people reading this: I hope you guys will do something about this soon. There are thousands of people out there who have bought your product, we expect things to be working in good condition when it arrives. There are many people out there who feel tricked, scammed and hussled in all directions - backwards, forwards and diagonally. I wish you guys would pay attention to the bad vibes you got out there. What happened with the service you're supposed to be selling them? Even though you guys don't have official stores around, doesn't mean you can back out of the customer-service part. In fact, you should pay even more attention to that, since you have no physical location for people to go. We as consumers feel we're talking to walls sometimes when we want to enquire about our expensive equipment. By the way, is this forum manned at all? I read in the other post that Dell people rarely read the forums. And she got it from a Dell guy over the phone. That's nice to hear, have you guys closed off more ways in connecting with you people? I hope everybody's problems will be solved. And I really do love my laptop. And just like anything else I love, I want my laptop to be happy. I hope people will realise this - we just want our laptops running in good condition. That is all. Message Edited by Akilah on 08-25-2005 02:16 AM

Cpointpond · Answer

I am having the 5150 Ac adapter problem too.  My charger is 94819 and Battery 6T473.  Dell says they are compatible, but my local computer guy is saying the same thing as your post.  Let me know if anyone makes heads of this!  Thanks

Tom Kenney · Answer

Here are the pics. First pic is the label on the adapter 'brick' and the second pic is the label on the bottom of my Inspiron 6000.

PA-12 adapter label - note 3.34A output

Inspiron 6000 label - note 4.62A draw, and spec'd for PA-10 or PA-12

Now, the other problem is...do they actually have a PA-10 available? I just checked their accessories catalog and can only find the PA-12 for an Inspiron 6000. It doesn't say whether or not any of the other adapters are compatible with the 6000. If they don't have a model with the correct output, I'll be replacing my main board...with a Sony!!!

Message Edited by Tom Kenney on 09-15-2005 11:53 PM

Tom Kenney · Answer

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I just looked at the labels on my I6000 and the TWO adapters that I now have. The adapters are PA-12, and are 3.3A, and the computer, which says to use either PA-10 OR PA-12, draws 4.6A!

If anyone from Dell is reading this...I AM SOOOO ANGRY THAT I CAN'T TYPE CLEARLY! I have been conned into buying a second adapter AND a second battery (the fancier 9-cell, just in case) and now I want satisfaction!

I am taking pictures of the labels on the adapter and computer and (if this board permits) I will post the pictures here for all to see. This is either a deliberate ruse to get us customers to buy more parts (possibly a $400 main board!!!), or it is a rediculous oversight that should be corrected.

I'll have the pictures up in a bit (15 minutes?) and if I can't post them here directly, at least I will post a link.

MAN, AM I STEAMED!!!!!

Tom Kenney · Answer

A little more info...

I've done a search, and it looks like the PA-10 is the adapter for the 8500/8600? Though the sticker on the bottom of my computer says it will accept a PA-10, the Accessories catalog at www.dell.com does not say that the PA-10 is compatible with a 6000. (BTW, the listings at the Accessories catalog do not have the PA-xx numbers, so it was not obvious.)

I've sent my first (slightly irate) e-mail to Dell support about this problem. I am hoping that the PA-10 is indeed compatible with a 6000 - that is, the little brain inside the PA-10 adapter will communicate with the little brain in the computer and the two will coexist peacefully. All the other posts about "unrecognized AC adapter" errors have me a bit worried.

If the PA-10 does indeed work, I will quite strongly suggest that Dell stop sending the PA-12 with Inspiron 6000 computers. I will also do my best to publicize this problem and make potential Dell customers aware of the mismatch so they may either buy a different model of Dell that has properly spec'd hardware, or avoid Dell altogether. Hopefully this information will also help those of us who already have these systems and are experiencing this problem.

Also, thanks very much to Akilah and his friend for bringing this problem into focus! You've probably saved me (and others?) a few hundred dollars!!! :)

Tom Kenney · Answer

And more info...

My boss mentioned the possibility that neither adapter may be correct for this machine. The 90W adapters may have been causing the meltdowns/fires, so they began sending the 65W adapters as a 'safety measure' to prevent damage. Faulty charging circuit on the MB? Or the BIOS, which I cannot upgrade unless both AC adapter and battery are employed? Is it possible the fix is to use the 90W adapter AND upgrade the BIOS?

I got an answer to my e-mail from Dell that says I have to call someone. I'm gonna call today, and I'll report back when I get somewhere.

ymo · Answer

This is certainly an interesting observation. Looking at my i6000 and its PA-12 adapter I then looked at the i6000 manual D51811EN.PDF that shipped with my unit. I can only see one possible explanation for the discrepancy in the current ratings. From the manual:

Output current: 4.5A (maximum at 4-second pulse); 3.5A (continuous)
Output power: 65W

Could it be that the laptop is labeled with its peak power draw while the adapter is labeled with its continuous power supply capability?

I also had a look at the Dell web site for laptop accessories and found that Dell sell two adapters for the i6000. One is a universal (DC or AC input) 65W unit while the other is a 90W AC only unit. See the following URL.

http://dellstore03.dell.com.au/public/catalog_dellware02.jsp?&sno=0.6385491868614293#

At work we have Latitudes and they need 90W if the adapter is also powering the docking station but only 65W when used on their own.

Cpointpond · Answer

OK-- I am buying into the 'higher amp adapters were causing meltdowns' theory.   Here's my story . . ..  I have a Inspiron 5150.  Usually booted up with the battery and plugged in later.  Lately, I have been leaving the notebook at work plugged in.  When I come to work and start up the puter, it would give me an error message that the AC Adapter is not recognized.  I can unplug and replug the cord and be happy.  Called Dell because my warranty was days away from expiring.  They sent me a new cord ( same exact type) and it caused the same problem.  I did choose the longer life 96 WHr battery when I picked out my system.     Dell tells me my adapter and computer match . . .can anyone help me make heads and tails of the numbers on my 5150 so I can be a bit 'wiser' when I call Dell and am not made to feel stupid?  They want to change out my motherboard.  At this point my computer is very usable with the exception of when I start up the computer with the battery installed and with the adapter plugged in.  Killing me to send it off for surgery at this point, but I just made my warranty by days.  Here's what is on my computer: Dell Inspiron 5150: Input 19.5v  ~ 6.7 Amax  For use with adapter PA10 or PA 13. On my battery:  14.8V~6450maH   96WH  For use with Dell Notebook type PPO7L  PN:9Y819 On my adapter:  130 W AC adpater Input 100-240v~50-60Hz 2.5A, Output 19.5V~6.7a, 130watt, PA-13 family, PN F0590A01.   Didn't realize Dell purchases required electrical knowledge:o(.  According to their webstore, I should have adapter part  D1078 , #310-4180.  On my orginal packing slip, my battery PN is listed as 8Y849.  Just confused and would love any help before I make that Dell customer service call.  HELP--Thank you in advance.

gran123 · Answer

My notebook is the Inspiron 1100 and it says PA-9

model PA-1900-05D

Input 1.5 A

Output 4.51 A

I have no idea what to do or where to get help.I can not use my computer unless I am willing to sit and struggle with it for a long time just to get it in a position that will allow it to work.Can some one help me?

ymo · Answer

The FAQ for this forum does not even list the Inspiron 6000 and what adapter it needs... http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_power&message.id=24943

Srinik · Answer

Hi , I have a 5 months old inspiron 6000. When the battery is charging, 1. The monitor switches (changes the intensity of brightness) between dim (battery mode) and brighter (AC power mode) modes. 2. There is a beep sound (noise) that is coming out from the notebook. I think, the sound is coming from the top right corner (near to the battery charging indicator LCD). 3. The adapter stops working after some time. The green light in the AC adapter stops working after few minutes. After that the battery is not getting charged. Adapter will only work, if I reset (unplug it from the AC outlet and plug it again). It will work again for few minutes then the problem comes back. 4. Worst part is, this problem killed two replacement batteries so for. I replaced the AC adapter twice and battery with new one from DELL, but it did not solve the problem yet. Still when the battery is getting charged the above problems occurs. I asked support about the mismatch in the power adapter ratings as mentioned above , the dell technical support says it is perfectly fine to have PA-12 adapter with Inspiron 6000 note book(Less power is safer!). When I asked them to send a 90W adapter, they agreed to send one, but their system can’t find one for Inspiron 6000. Tom or any one, please let me know if you know the solution to the problem?  Regards, Srinik

Cpointpond · Answer

Had a similar problem with my 5150.  You can read my story above at  A PROBABLE solution to ADAPTER problems - Inspiron 8600 and maybe others - Inspiron - Power Management - Dell Community Forum .  Just got my computer back ( under warranty by just days) with a new motherboard.  All seems well with my adapter and battery:o).  PTL!  Despite my relunctancy to send my notebook off for service, they were quick--- just 2 days and it is back in action and all of my information is intact:o).  Happy ending despite my worries.  Hope all works out for your notebooks too!

bache · Answer

i have the p-12 adapter (65 watt) on my 8600.

i called dell (norway) and they said there "shouldnt" be a problem. End of discussion.

i already have had the lcd and dvd burner replaced on it.

i dont feel safe with the words "should" be safe.

any more info on this?

maybe ill try to email them instead.

dont want to wait and see if this happens to me also

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