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    Inspiron 6400 does not recognize PA10 power adapter

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by lm3, Oct 7, 2012.

  1. lm3

    lm3 Notebook Guru

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    tried 3 different adapters. boots fine but cannot charge battery.
     
    lm3, Oct 7, 2012
    #1
  2. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    If you tried 3 known working adapters, it could be the battery or the motherboard. Do you have access to another Dell battery?
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Oct 8, 2012
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  3. Dellswapnajan

    Dellswapnajan Company Representative

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    Hi,

    Have you tried charging the battery using a Dell Adapter? When you have the PA10 adapter connected to the system, please login to BIOS by tapping F2 during the Dell logo at the start. Check the information under the Battery info tab and confirm the AC adapter wattage is same as the adapter what you had initially, also check the Battery Health and confirm battery is fine.

    You may try updating the BIOS. Please use the below mentioned link to download and update the BIOS if required.

    Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]

    I hope this helps. Please do write back in case you need any further assistance.

    Thanks & Regards
    Swapnajan MC
    #iworkfordell
     
    Dellswapnajan, Oct 8, 2012
    #3
  4. lm3

    lm3 Notebook Guru

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    Bios is most recent. It still shows unknown power supply with known good power supplies.
     
    lm3, Oct 8, 2012
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  5. Dellswapnajan

    Dellswapnajan Company Representative

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    Hi,

    “Unknown” error message occurs either because of the adapter or the motherboard. Please use a good known Dell charger and check the BIOS message about the adapter. In case it is still listed as “Unknown” in BIOS, it indicates that the issue is with the motherboard. You may consider getting the laptop serviced.

    I hope this helps. Please do write back in case you need any further assistance

    Thanks and Regards,
    Swapnajan M C
    #iworkfordell
     
    Dellswapnajan, Oct 9, 2012
    #5
  6. cmaniutiu

    cmaniutiu Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi,
    i'm thinking that there is a small connection problem between the charger and the motherboard, if you look at the adapter it has a small pin in the middle, that's the pin that tells the motherboard what kind of adapter he is, without that no adapter will charge the battery.
     
    cmaniutiu, Oct 10, 2012
    #6