Gdetrailer wrote:
I guess YOU better call my IT dept and tell them this.. They have for many years replaced the Dell Laptop chargers with GENERIC UNIVERSAL power bricks whenever someone loses one or they need an extra one..
Dell uses the same coaxial plug as the rest of the laptops, it is a DC only output on the charger and is typically 19V to 21.5V DC depending on the model.
I'm not going to call your IT department, but you could pass along some reading material if you'd like. The Dell power plugs are NOT the same as the rest. They use a 3rd wire to read a memory chip in the power supply. The laptop will accept the generic power plug, but without the proper power supply identification it will refuse to charge the battery. From one of the linked sites below:
"...had the explanation confirmed by the Dell engineer, here is what happens:
The power connector consists of 3 pins, 2 are power and earth, the 3rd is a signal line to identify the PSU as a compatible (Dell) unit. If the Laptop does not get the signal, it does not allow the PSU to charge the battery, it will, however, allow it to power the laptop."
An example BIOS message is:
"The AC power adapter type cannot be determined. You system will operate slower and the battery will not charge."
https://nctritech.wordpress.com/2010/01/26/dell-laptops-reject-third-party-batteries-and-ac-adapterschargers-hardware-vendor-lock-in/http://superuser.com/questions/319684/dell-inspiron-1545-plugged-in-not-charginghttp://techmonks.net/bypassing-the-dell-unrecognized-adapter-issue/http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19245866http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/55106-2-dell-laptop-bypass-center-power-supplyhttp://www.laptop-junction.com/toast/content/inside-dell-ac-power-adapter-mystery-revealedhttp://hackaday.com/2014/03/03/hacking-dell-laptop-charger-identification/https://hclxing.wordpress.com/2014/02/09/hacking-the-dell-laptop-power-adapter-part-ii-2/http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/9519-2-dell-laptop-power-jack-pinouthttp://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/16047/3-contact-laptop-power-supplyhttp://superuser.com/questions/104023/dell-inspiron-6400-indicates-the-wrong-power-adapter-is-plugged-in-and-will-not
