A/C Adapter / Battery issue, after 6 months, remains unresolved

Question

I have never before seen a company such as Dell is, so poorly reviewed and rated by it's former and current customers, since it apparently hasn't made any attempt in resolve a seemingly common issue with an integral major component of their laptops.  I have read hundreds of complaints about the laptop batteries will not recharge and/or the A/C adapters are failing to charge.   Dell hasn't replied to anyone satisfaction in any of the forums I've seen.   I have the same issue and have received NO assistance in resolving a similar issue. I purchased my C640, 2nd hand from a local computer resale shop.  After only 45 days, I was attempting to boot the system one evening and when I plugged in the A/C adapter I watched the adapter light go out and no activity on the laptop.   I contacted the resale shop and they referred me to the Dell support web site.   I went to a library to access the website where I posted a question describing my situation only to have multiples of other forum subscribers suggesting just as many reasons for the said problem, and many affirming a similar circumstance in which they have experienced the same problem.   No resolution. I took it upon myself to attempt some form of resolution so I purchased a new battery, plugged it in and the A/C adapter light still went out when it was plugged into the laptop.   I purchased a new A/C adapter and it also had a light that went out when plugged into the laptop.   I purchased a new, reconditioned motherboard, installed it, inserted the new battery, the new A/C adapter, and the light still went out and the new battery is now too dead to power the unit to boot up.   The A/C adapter does power the laptop to boot and run but when I plug the battery in to the bay, it instantly kills the unit. Now I have read of other owners with different models experiencing the same issue and yet no one from Dell is offering any resolution.   How do they expect to keep existing customers and/or attract new customers when these kind of problems are left unaddressed. I await any input which might suggest a direction to take which will lead to a positive end result. A soon to be a former Dell owner/user, Tim

SlamX · Answer

Tim without any warranty on your C640 you are totally on your own with no support or answers from Dell.

Probably the used motherboard you got also has the inherent defect in it.

You only have a few choices. Have a 3rd party laptop repair shop attempt a fix....bound to be expensive, use the laptop as is or part it out like on ebay.

ejn63 · Answer

If the LED on the adapter goes out on connecting it to the notebook, the mainboard is faulty. Though the boards are relatively inexpensive, it may not make sense to buy one for a system this old:

http://www.parts-people.com/index.php?action=item&id=1167

Remember you're asking for support on a system now about 6-7 years old, and you did not purchase it from Dell - would you reasonably expect much free manufacturer support on a 6-7 year old used car you bought from a private party?

Locked Topics – Laptops General

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