Computer Stops Reading AC Adapter

I received the computer about 8 days ago and 3 different times it has stopped reading the AC adapter. Thankfully the alien head will change colors so I recognize the problem before it drains. A restart doesn't necessarily bring it around. Either does taking the AC adapter out and reinserting it. You have to keep screwing around getting it to take again - usually a shut down is in order.

I called Alienware tech support tonight and they said it's a "known issue" and the new BIOS update will fix this. But it's not A09 - it's another one. I had this problem with A08 as well as A09. He would not give me a time frame as to when they would release the new BIOS. I thought it "odd" because they just released A09.

Is anybody else having this problem....

Sandy

 

I assume they sent you a 240 watt adpater, but they have been know to send out 210 watt instead. They probably sent you a Flextronics part# J938H, if so then that is the correct one. They also make a Delta 240 watt adapter that is a substitute for the Flextronics. First I would have them replace your current adapter for a new one. Second I would update all of your current drivers to the newest. They have released a new vbios and ATI 8.763 drivers for the HD5870. If you update these drivers go to the subforum where they discuss how to do this. These two things would be a good place to start. This power problem was suppose to be fixed in earlier bios releases even before A08. Also the way to get it back is to shutdown the computer and disconnect the power adapter. Remove the battery then hold down the power button about 20 seconds or so. Reinstall the battery and connect your power adapter and start your computer as normal. This power-drain procedure has been
around for a long time. When you say that the adapter disconnects, does windows complain about the adapter and show that you are running on battery? Hope this helps.

 

Ronald, what's the diff between the flextronics psu and the delta? Thx.

 

anodize,

I am not sure if there is much of a difference electronically. Early on when Dell was having problems with the Flextronics burning up and sometimes damaging the laptop, they came out with the Delta adapter. The Delta was suppose to be a more reliable adapter, so many people prefered the Delta adapter over the Flextronics. The Flextronics is the original adapter that was included with the M17xR2. It has a lighted ring around the plug where you can change the color of it. The Flextronics is the only adapter that Dell is sending out right now. If you try to order a Delta, they will substitute it with a Flextronics. Other than that, they both put out 240 watts. I am currently using a Flextronics and have not had any problems so far.

 

Thanks for your input it does help.. I have the 240 Delta adapter. I have all the latest drivers as well (8.763 and vBIOS) and have reinstalled Windows from the Dell DVD.

At this point Alienware tech help aren’t going to do anything. They don’t think my adapter is bad and since it’s “known issue” I have to wait for the BIOS update. What struck me as odd is they just released A09… now there is another BIOS update coming because A09 didn’t address this?? I didn’t understand that comment…

Thanks for your input...

Sandy

 

something that i know helps when the adapter is not recognized/not charging is to put the adapter in the electricity for couple of minutes before putting it in.

Other than that, yeah, it's a known issue and i doubt it will ever be fixed.

 

If you installed the drivers from your provided drivers DVD, they may not be the newest drivers. The driver DVDs are not updated very often, so the drivers can be way out-of-date. Dell really recommends that you download and use current drivers from their website when doing a reinstall. Installing old drivers can create problems such as the Alien Control Center driver. When installing the Alien Control Center it updates the AlienFX firmware if needed. So if you install an older Alien Control Center, it could possible currupt the firmware on the AlienFX card. So always use the newest drivers from the Dell website so you won't have any problems. I have assumed you used the provided drivers DVD, so plese forgive me if my assumptions are wrong.

 

I got everything from Dell's Drivers and Downloads - but you were right to mention that in case I didn't.

If this is a known issue I am just wondering if my rate of occurrence for this is the norm... if it happens frequently to other users or not. Is 3 times is 8 days high or low???

Once again... thanks for your insight...

Sandy

 

Ronald, Do you know the part number for the delta adapter? I'm really interested in getting this delta adapter. I have 4 adapters with me and they are all flextronics. I assume it does not have the lighted ring? Thx.

 

I don't know if this helps but I have the Delta with the lighted ring and the model number on it says, "GA240PE1-00."

 

My Flextronics are GA240PE1-00 also. There should be a P/N below that.

 

The Sand,

The number that you gave is the model#. That number is the same one on my Flextronics. I believe the part# for the Delta is J211H. Do a search on that part# and verify it. Like I said before, if you try ordering the Delta adpater they will probably substitute it with the Flextronics since they consider them equal. Also I did not know that the Delta had a lighted ring on its power plug. If you do a search of the forum, there is an extensive discussion about these power adapters and they give you the ordering info also.

 

It does say J211H - it's under "DPN" which is why I didn't know if it was Part Number or not - the D confused me... sorry.

 

I did a quick search and it looks completely identical to the Flextronic. I wonder if it'll help stabilize my system when OC'd.

 

anodize,

I don't OC my system, but I would think that the ability and the stability of a system to OC would vary between different CPU/GPUs. Even though you can do 5% OC in bios or use a seperate program to do so, the stability of your system may be different than someone else with a like system. There is a seperate thread that discusses OC and I am sure that you can find much more info there than what I could provide. Many times they have to raise the cpu core voltage to stabalize it when running at a higher frequency. When it comes to the Flextronics or Delta adapter they should meet the same electrical specifications. They are both 240 watt adapters so the output should be the same. I think the earlier comparison between the two was people felt that the Delta was more reliable than the Flextronics. But that was then. Today I believe the Flextronics is at least on its second revision so the reliabilty is probably the same as the Delta now. Hope that helps a little. Check into the OC discussion forum, I sure that you can find good info there.

 

Lets continue this over @ http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/400988-m17x-battery-not-charging.html

Thanks.