Dell Inspiron 1501 AC Adapter Q&A

Q: When I turn on the computer I get an error message that starts "The AC adapter type cannot be determined..."
- The green light on the adapter is on.
- When I ran the dell inspiron 1501 battery diagnostics, the adapter failed with a error code of 3600:0649.
- When I press the battery status light on the battery, none of the LEDs illuminate.
- I can power the computer with the dell adapter, but the inspiron 1501 battery will not recharge.
Is it the charger, the battery or something else

A1: The Dell 1501 ac adapter (possibly other Dell’s as well) has been known to be problematic because of its lack of a plug to jack secure fit. You will notice that the plug can all too easily be pulled from the jack, as opposed to other systems where the plug fits more securely onto the jack. The plug and jack combination is poorly designed so that over time, the plug will come unseated depending on how much movement the machine is subjected to. This will result in power error messages or outright power-up failure. So before assuming you have a faulty adapter, make sure that it is not just a loose plug that is causing the problem. If you look inside the jack, you will notice that there is a 3mm region of non-conductive material nearest the surface of the jack. Use a strip of standard electrical tape 3mm wide and long enough and wrap it around the base of the plug (you may need more than one layer of tape to get a good fit). I have used this method to secure my plug and it has served me well. If the tape comes undone over time, just simply replace it. A more “elegant” method would be to use an “O” ring of the appropriate size (about 6mm) around the base of the plug in lieu of the tape.

A2: It's the adapter. What's happening is the adapter is going out and isn't feeding enough power to the machine. It's feeding just enough to run it, but not enough run and charge the battery. Replace the dell inspiron 1501 adapter ( dell inspiron 1501 charger) as soon as you can, this could cause damage to the machine or a component. Replace it with a Dell adapter, and do not replace it with a Targus universal adapter. The Targus adapters do not work with Dell machines. With that said, I'm assuming that your adapter is a Dell adapter. If it's a Targus, then there is your problem.

A3:One of two (a possible thrid) things is going on here. If you have more than one of these laptops or you have a friend/colleague with similar Dell Laptop, check and ensure the power adapters are not mixed up. Some Dell laptop models use 65W inspiron 1501 adapter, others require 90W.

If none of the above apply or you are certain you have the AC adapter for the laptop, then I am afraid the adapter is faulty and needs replacing.

It is however possible that the power jack on laptop has become loose. Before you commit to purchasing anything, check if the jack is loose or smells "burnt". If the jack is at fault, you may need a specialist to service the laptop.

Now, assuming it is just the AC adapter, then you may raise a warranty if your are covered by Dell Warranty. If not you may purchase the AC adapter from Dell one any laptop accessory sites.

Informations from: http://www.fixya.com/support/t838436-dell_inspiron_1501_ac_adapter_error

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