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Resolved Laptop charging error

Discussion in 'Mobile Devices' started by Barry, 2014/11/21.

  1. 2014/11/21
    Barry

    Barry Geek Member Thread Starter

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    My son is still waiting for the RAM to be delivered for his new computer (supposed to have been today), but, in the meantime, his laptop is acting up. He has a weak battery and needs to use AC to run it. Unfortunately, he keeps getting this message. What are your suggestions regarding fixing this glitch. Sometimes he can restart his computer and all works fine. Is there a way to test the charger to determine if that is the problem and needs to be replaced?

    By the way, I did measure the voltage of the cable coming into the converter and it is 110vac. The voltage coming out the the cable (which enters the laptop) is 20vdc.
     
    Last edited: 2016/01/17
  2. 2014/11/22
    retiredlearner

    retiredlearner SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Hi Barry, This beggars the question - Is this a Dell Laptop using a non-Dell charger?
    Also, will the laptop operate with just the charger and no battery? Neil.
     

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  4. 2014/11/22
    Barry

    Barry Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Hi Neil. Thanks for the reply. This is a Dell Precision M4300 laptop using a Dell charger. My son hasn't removed the battery to attempt operating with just the charger, so we'll have to check that out. When I move the cord around, nothing changes, so it doesn't look like an obvious break in a wire. There are so many things it could be (low amps, a disconnected center pin that lets the computer know it is a Dell charger, defective cable between the computer's input and motherboard, or even the motherboard itself). Are you aware of any quick and easy ways to test these, or other potential problems? Unfortunately, we don't have another charger to swap it out with. I have a multimeter, though not aware of how to test the amps with that center pin needing to be connected. I appreciate the help.
     
  5. 2014/11/22
    retiredlearner

    retiredlearner SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    This may be a faulty laptop charge connector. If your charge unit is showing an output voltage through the cable - the laptop connector becomes your next problem.
    Most laptops will have that as a replaceable part which will require a partial strip down of the laptop to renew it.
    Have a read at this Dell Forum:http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19245752
    Neil.
     
  6. 2014/11/22
    Barry

    Barry Geek Member Thread Starter

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    The more I read, the more I sense this isn't going to be an easy fix. Apparently, the power connector is the weak spot for all electronics that have these connectors, but Dell took it further by putting a pin on their charger to verify it is genuine Dell. It seems like it is this choice by Dell that creates most problems for most people. People offer many potential solutions:

    Disconnect the internal BIOS battery under the keyboard (keep disconnected for 1/2 hour – 8+ hours). Reconnect the battery, plug in the adapter and fire the computer. Getting to the battery is easy. 1) Remove hinge cover, 2) remove keyboard, 3) gently disconnect the battery from the motherboard (it is on the right under the keyboard - a flat pancake battery about the size of a nickel). Leave it disconnected for a while then reassemble, plug in adapter and restart computer. If a short period of disconnection doesn't work, do it longer. That seems to give the computer enough time to reset the algorithm that is causing the problem.

    Boot the laptop first, without the adapter, and then plug in the adapter when the login screen appears.

    Remove and then reinsert the adapter with more pressure than usual, holding it in place until the charging light comes on.

    Get some needle nose pliers and bend the needle very slightly so it could still plug it in but enough to make sure it is bent and then plug it in.

    Remove the battery and then clean the motherboard pins where battery pins connect to it and put the battery back in and switch on the AC power.

    1) Remove battery and ac adapter
    2) Press the on/off button for 20 seconds
    3) Replace battery and adapter and try it.

    1) Unplug AC adapter
    2) Shut pc off normally
    3) Take out battery
    4) Plug in ac adapter
    5) Open device manager
    6) Go to battery tab
    7) Disable Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery
    8) Shut off normally, unplug ac adapter, put in battery, plug in ac adapter


    Here is an option to move the Dallas DS2501 (the problem component) from the adapter to the laptop: http://jack380.wordpress.com/2009/03/06/how-to-solve-the-problem-dell-ac-power-adapter-type-cannot-be-determined/

    Here is a YouTube video that shows how to refurbish the connection between the charger and laptop: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI7DBtZg-QQ

    Here is another YouTube video which describes how to check the amps on the charger (though I don't have the connector cable that would allow me to test this with my multimeter): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJaVIqT-OaU

    When my son returns tomorrow night, we'll check out some of these options, but I wonder if it might be worthwhile to just buy a cheap charger that is designed for this laptop. If a new charger doesn't work, the problem is probably in the laptop connection between the power receptacle and the connection to the mobo.
     
    Last edited: 2014/11/22
  7. 2014/11/23
    MrBill

    MrBill SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    The power connector on the MOBO on "ANY" laptop is usually a problem. Have a friend that probably changes out 3 or 4 a month because one of the legs breaks the solder connection.
     
  8. 2014/11/23
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Tip: When plugging the power adapter into the laptop, do NOT wiggle the connector up, down, left or right, or push it in too hard. Straight in, straight out, gently.
     

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