My Battery Icon Doesn't Show "Charging" Status

Hi. It's been a while since I've been here.

I have plugged in my DC/AC adapter to the power outlet. The light on the adapter shows that there is power going through. The other cord on the adapter is connected to my laptop. The light for my battery charging on the side of my laptop is on. However, right now "7:36 P.M." my battery icon on my desktop is showing that my adapter isn't plugged in and there is a warning sign that my battery is at 17%.

I have constantly tried to un-plug and replug all cords to their respective outlets (adapter to plug, cord to laptop) and have restarted my computer a few times. Sometimes, when I turn on my laptop and plug in the cord to my computer, the battery icon shows that my laptop is charging.

Windows Vista 32-bit operating system
4gb ram
nvida geforce 8600m gt

gotta restart this laptop, battery is at 4%
ask me for more specs if you need them

thank you

 

Try this for the heck of it. Shut down the laptop, disconnect the power cord from it and remove the battery. Leave it out a acouple of minutes then put it back in. Boot up an dsee if the battery drains a bit more (if possible). Then connect the power to the laptop.