OK, I still need help! *be quiet AMN* SMACK!

I received my new battery and let it charge overnight. Today I only had a 21% charge and so I used it a little bit to see if I let it go down a little more, that maybe it would charge. Nothing~ nada, in fact, it's down to 8%, so I plugged into my adapter, so I could investigate online.

When I replug the laptop in, I get this notice:

"Your AC power adapter type cannot be determined. Your system will operate slower and battery will not charge. Please connect to a Dell 65W AC apdapter or higher for best system operation".

My DH took the adapter (which is the one that came w/my laptop) and hooked it up to a thing a ma jiggy tool of his and it showed it was putting out 19.5, which is what the adapter said it should.

I hate getting online w/Tech support. I do have warranty left, so wonder if the adapter would be covered. I'm ready to throw the whole thing out the window. Last time I hooked up w/my tech support, they charged me $275, as they claimed they had to bring a 3rd party in to fix it. AY YI YI!!!!

Any suggestions?

I'd appreciate any help. Thanks alot!

Also, there is a guy in the area, who trouble shoots and fixes pc's~ wonder if that could be an option.


Thanks my friend, Muwah!!!

Well if it's under warranty you should not have to pay them that kind of money. Whenever my Dell's needed repair they sent a box with postage paid and I never gave them a penny. I think I'd be calling someone about that kind of charge.

Ok, to answer your question, yes. My problem with both Dell's was the adapter slot itself. It had a screw loose inside and they fixed it pronto.

If you call, ask to speak with a manager and while you have them ask why they charged you over $200 for a service call if you had a warranty?

Want help? lol

Thanks Sandy! Tech support took control of my pc and worked on it for a couple of hrs last yr, then said they had to bring in a 3rd party, so I was probably hosed.

I notice that my adapter comes loose from my pc easily; I'm always sticking the adapter end back into the pc, so would this be something we could fix?? I mean the tightening?

If I wouldn't have paid so darn much for this thing a few yrs ago, I'd smash it!! *my anger is showing, my bad* My DS ordered it for me and it has everything on it; heck, it's got things I'll never use and you all know I do not know my way around a pc very well. (insert loud scream)

If you attempt to fix it yourself you void the warranty if they find out. If you can get the cover off above the keyboard you should be able to see if the screw is loose inside. If you can't see the area where the plug goes in you may need to take off the keyboard too. My cover pops off and then you unscrew to get to the inside. Dell keyboards are tricky. Don't try to pry it off. There are little thingamabobs at the top of it that you use a flat head screwdriver to hold in while the other hand pops it up. lol

Thanks Sandy! I called Dell Tech Support this a.m. and the tech took control of my pc, which I always think is cool looking. From the info that I gave him, plus the alert re: the adapter message~ he said that even though the meter registered 19.5 on the adapter, it's not giving a consistent signal when plugged into my laptop.

So, they are sending me a new adaptor, as they can wear from the constant inserting etc, or just faulty in the box or wiring w/it. The best part is that b/c it's still under warranty, it's free! So, hope that is my problem!

He was really helpful and while I had him on the phone, I asked a bunch of questions. My SIL had laptop probs and his was out of warranty, so he had to pay $$$$ for his tech support, so I'm lucky to still have that.

Thank you to everyone who tried to help me. I appreciate it, but if the adapter doesn't fix my problem, you can bet I'll be back. I'm so computer illiterate. When I got my education, there weren't any computers, just electric typewriters. How can that be when I'm only 39?????


*crossing fingers~~ grin*

Yeah, I didn't think that one would fly, Anne!

I'm LOL too!!!!

I am only 28. It's a good number and since everyone said we look like sisters you can be 30. Sound good?

Ta Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! I got my new adaptor from Dell overnight and it recharged my and it recharged my battery. Even though the end of the adapter was putting out the correct wattage, when the Dell Tech checked online, it was jumping around from low to high, so wasn't allowing my battery to charge.

The best part is, it was covered under warranty!!! Yippee!!!

Thanks for all the help.

Oh, and Sandy?? You ''could'' pass for 28 and I'll just have to be your much older sister. wahhhhhh!

Now, get out of my room!!! That's what my sister used to say to me, but now wer'e the best of friends.

Now just for curiousity, plug that old battery back in and try to charge it and see if it works!

Wouldn't it make you SOOOOOOOOOOOO mad if you found out the battery was fine and it was the charger all along?