Workaround for Dell "Power supply not recognised" issue

Question

I have a Dell Inspirion and the power supply port appears to be damaged.

Basically when I plug it in I get a nice popup telling me that it couldn't detect that its a Dell power supply so it won't charge the battery and underclocks the system. It still works for other purposes (that is, giving power).

I thought it was the actual power supply cable so I bought a new one, that worked for a while, provided I inserted it at JUST THE RIGHT angle. But now that's not working anymore, so I assume its the part which connects to the computer.

The battery charging I can live without, the underclocking I can't. I'd like a way around this issue. Things I've tried:

1. Updating the BIOS
2. Replacing the power supply cable
3. Inserting it at different angles
4. Turning it off and on again
5. Swearing at it
6. Twisting it while inserting it

So, is there a workaround somehow? I'd like to avoid taking out my soldering kit and risking permanently damaging expensive equipment if that's allright. I'm hoping for a software solution.

Added: The exact model is a Del Inspirion N5010

Solution 1

If you're ready for a hardcore solution, you can unsolder the ID chip from the AC adapter and solder it to the laptop's motherboard or even create a fake ID chip.

An ideal solution would be to patch the BIOS, but I've found only this discussion, nobody did it (yet?)

Can something be done on the software side?

Yes! At least, we can overcome underclocking. Battery won't load.

Linux:

Add processor.ignore_ppc=1 to GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX in /etc/default/grub, then run update-grub. Reboot.

Windows:

This paper describes Windows XP performance control policies and mentions this:

NOTE: All policies will always respect the highest available performance state currently available as reported in the _PPC method by system firmware, when using the ACPI 2.0 interface.

So, no native support. But there are third-party tools. I personally had success with RMClock, other people in this thread suggest using ThrottleStop instead.

Solution 2

This solved my issue in two laptops, I searched and never came across this so I wanted to post it for someone else. These dell laptops were purchased refurbished with 3rd party chargers, batteries are dell.

8/17/2018 RE: Problem with laptops (E5430)

REINSTALL BATTERY DRIVER - Shut down the laptop - Unplug the AC Adapter from laptop - Remove the battery - Reconnect the AC Adapter to the laptop - Power on - Go the Start and type in Device Manager (search program and files) then Enter - Under Batteries, uninstall Microsoft AC Adapter and Microsoft ACPI- Compliant Control Method Battery (both) - Please note that this will auto-install for you again - Shut down laptop - Remove the AC Adapter from laptop - Insert the Battery and reconnect the AC Adapter - Power on the computer - You should now see the message, Plugged in, Charging

Solution 3

FWIW: I "solved" it by disabling the SpeedStep Technology part in the BIOS.

Although the description there implies that this will then run the CPU at full throttle 100% of the time this not the case in reality. TaskManager shows the frequency to go up and down according to the load.

This does not fix the actual "PSU not recognized"-issue, but at least the machine isn't stuck at 1.18GHz anymore because of that.

Solution 4

My solution is ridiculously simple. But it works. First unplug the power cable from both ends. Also unplug the adapter. Then plug in everything and power up the computer. Then, when the computer is on, unplug the adapter, wait a few seconds and plug it back in. That's all. Don't know why, but it works.

Solution 5

Okay, this is a well known issue. For whatever reason, on the power pin, Dell included a signal to tell the laptop what kind of power supply is connected. This does not always work right. In fact, there are MANY reports of this failing. There is usually a setting in the BIOS to fix this - you will have to boot to the BIOS and look around. The setting is usually about detecting power supply and to inactivate this feature.

Note: Seems from searching, some versions of the BIOS don't have the ability to shut off AC Adapter detection. Just have to try and search yours.

View more solutions

Comments

[Haedrian]

Interesting to learn the theory behind why its causing the issue, but it doesn't help my issue.

[Ljubomir Đokić]

I have Dell Inspiron N5010 and I had exactly the same problem. I took it to the service and got it replaced for around 20€. Then I replaced cooler (20€). Then I replaced one chip for screen (50€). Screen was all white. Then my video card died because of overheat. That one he saved (50€), how I don't know. And now it can't recognize battery and won't charge it. Guess what laptop I am not going to buy next.

[Blaine]

and #5 DIDN'T work?! That's a first

[Haedrian]

Its a Dell Inspirion N5010, I updated the original question.

[jlacroix82]

From what I can tell by searching around, this is a model that does need soldering. Unfortunately, software cannot solve this. It's possible a BIOS hack could, but that would be a lot of work for something that's going to get worse anyway. Eventually no electricity will get to it at all. Your only recourse is soldering a new DC jack onto the board, or buying a replacement board. It's also very hard to say, given that the laptop is not in front of me.

[Haedrian]

Well that sucks. I guess I'll back up everything very deeply and replace it. I'm not really the kind of person to open up a laptop and play around with the insides unless its really dead. THe connector does feel loose and it feels like its not entering correctly (I can see the metal a bit) - does that tell you anything?

[jlacroix82]

Sounds typical. I get this problem with my repair business every now and then. If you aren't comfortable opening it up, you'll have to replace it. Otherwise if it at all lasts until it dies all the way, use it until it breaks and attempt to repair yourself if you want. Keep your data backed up.

[user.dz]

It does work well with Dell Precision M4800 Windows7. Tested it on 2 laptops. Thank you.

[Ashad Nasim]

removing and then adding works

[ChaimG]

Simple fix. Downside is that the CPU dos not not get throttled as much even when it's not needed at full power.

[John Harris]

Im hoping this resolves my issue, I already bought a new power jack, a battery and a new current adapter. But I have no hard drive (just bought it from internet and Im waiting for it) so I have no OS. I want to revive my laptop.

[Garrett]

On my Dell Precision M5520 with Ubuntu 18.04, doing this brought the frequency from ~600 MHz to 800 MHz (800 is the CPU min MHz outputted from lscpu in the terminal). Still far off the 2900 MHz max.

[Garrett]

On my Dell Precision M5520, doing the Linux steps doesn't seem to stop the underclocking.