You can try replacing the adapter, but it's of equal or higher probability that the jack on the mainboard is the problem. If replacing the adapter doesn't help, you may be able to have the jack replaced by a surface mount rework shop - if not, the system board may have to be replaced, which would cost enough that replacing the notebook makes more sense.
I had the same problem with the 2-year old 600m. It flickered between AC and battery because of the loose power jack, which, unfortunately for all of us, is a part of the system board. What happened next was that the thing got too loose to connect to the AC at all. Before I could giggle the cord/jack and get it connect again, but now it shorts.
The problem is most likely the solder connecting the ac power jack to the system board. You need to have the connect resoldered. Getting to the system board requires removing the screen (yes, really). Have a professional do it or you can destroy the laptop. It will cost about $100 for the service. The problem is due to Dell's very poor design. Supposedly the design of the jack was fixed (it was previously a square opening for the round jack), but I have an Inspriron B130 with a round jack opening and have the same problem. The repair people have to put a lot of solder on the spot on the system board to keep the problem from happening again. Don't waste your money buying a new power cord/supply, the problem is the power jack.
ejn63
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87.5K Posts
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February 25th, 2007 14:00
natakair
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March 2nd, 2007 15:00
Message Edited by natakair on 03-08-2007 12:56 PM
next_time_macbo
1 Message
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March 10th, 2008 14:00
The problem is most likely the solder connecting the ac power jack to the system board. You need to have the connect resoldered. Getting to the system board requires removing the screen (yes, really). Have a professional do it or you can destroy the laptop. It will cost about $100 for the service. The problem is due to Dell's very poor design. Supposedly the design of the jack was fixed (it was previously a square opening for the round jack), but I have an Inspriron B130 with a round jack opening and have the same problem. The repair people have to put a lot of solder on the spot on the system board to keep the problem from happening again. Don't waste your money buying a new power cord/supply, the problem is the power jack.