8200 switches to battery even with the AC adapter in

Question

My 8200 is just over 4 years old. Of course the battery is almost dead. I think it can run the laptop for about 10 minutes, but I use the AC adapter anways, so I always keep it plugged in. Recently it began switching over to the batter even with the AC adapter in. The green light on the adapter remains on, but the taskbar icon with the little 'battery' pops up a lot. Now it seems to cycle between batter and AC every few seconds. Ocassioanlly I get a black screen saying I need to plug in a 90W instead of a 70W. I have a 90W plugged in.   Any ideas? The cord is losing a bit of black insulation, but the white stuff is still there. I'm hoping it's not a motherboard (how much is that?)

dbramlet · Answer

Can you grab the cord behind the laptop, move it some and make it switch? Most likely the cord but could be the pins on the MB. Just have to move the cord around and determine if it the cord or the pins. Sounds more like the cord to me and you will need a new AC adapter for it.

TwoFortyJeff · Answer

Yes, if I move it around I can switch it, but I have to do it every few minutes. A new AC adapter is on it's way, so we'll see. Thanks for the reply.

dbramlet · Answer

Ok, the new adapter will probably resolve the problem for you.

sdanville · Answer

I have the same problem with my 60 day out of warrenty latitude D510. I have the luxury of trying another charger and thats not the problem.  Must be the 'pins' what are they ?  And what do I do now ? Thanks Steve

TwoFortyJeff · Answer

I got the new AC adapter but it didn't change the problem. I sent it back to Dell. I'm going to take it to a local computer shop and see what they say. I am hoping the socket that connects to the motherboard is damaged and not the motherboard itself. If it does need a new motherboard, I'll use it as a door stop or a paperweight or something.

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