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Dell Inspiron not charging - not recognising AC power

  • 25-07-2010 1:14pm
    #1
    convert
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,339 ✭✭✭


    I'm using a Dell Inspiron at the moment that as and of this morning the battery will no longer charge.

    When I plugged in the charger this morning a notice/warning flashed up on the screen saying that the laptop did not recognise the AC power adaptor (I can't remember the exact wording, but it was something of the same effect - I didn't want to plug it in again incase it caused problems). I'm not the most technical of people, so I was just wondering does that message mean that it is most likely the charger that is the problem? I don't want to spend 80 euro on a charger only to find out it was actually something else.

    The only other thing I've noticed recently is that the battery light is flashing orange all the time, regardless of whether or not the charger is plugged in, so I assume that means that the life of the battery is coming to an end?

    The laptop is about 5 years old, so it really doesn't owe me anything (even though it's got relatively light use - mainly word, excel and powerpoint so nothing too taxing/heavy), but if at all possible I'd like to avoid purchasing a new laptop (I'm a broke postgrad student!) and wait to buy a 'good' laptop when I get the money together. I checked the Dell website and I can still purchase a charger and battery which are compatible with my laptop, but at this stage do you think it's worth replacing these items or should I just cut my losses and get a new laptop.

    I'd really appreciate any help/advice. Thanks!


Comments

  • #2
    corkcomp
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,114 ✭✭✭corkcomp


    the battery light is most likely flashing because of low charge state related to either faulty charger or mb connector.. you wont do any harm by reseating the laptop psu and trying again


  • #3
    convert
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,339 ✭✭✭convert


    Cool. Thanks for the advice/info!


  • #4
    HavingCrack
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,847 ✭✭✭HavingCrack


    I had this problem myself with a one year old Inspiron and I brought it to a computer repair shop and they told me I'd have to replace the entire motherboard as the connector between charger and laptop was bent out of position. Replacing a whoel motherboard seemed crazy to me so when I got home I fiddled aroudn with two needles and eventually straightened out the connection and it works fine now.

    So it might be worth having a look at the connection to see is that where the problem is rather than the battery.


  • #5
    convert
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,339 ✭✭✭convert


    HavingCrack wrote: »
    I had this problem myself with a one year old Inspiron and I brought it to a computer repair shop and they told me I'd have to replace the entire motherboard as the connector between charger and laptop was bent out of position.

    :eek:
    Replacing a whoel motherboard seemed crazy to me so when I got home I fiddled aroudn with two needles and eventually straightened out the connection and it works fine now.

    So it might be worth having a look at the connection to see is that where the problem is rather than the battery.

    Yeah, I think I'll have a look at doing something similar (well, getting one of my more technical friends to do it!) and see what can be done. Though having had a quick look at it from the outside the connection doesn't seem to be bent or misaligned.

    And the reason you outlined above is one of the reasons why I don't like going to computer repair shops unless I'm absolutely stuck!


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