bz wrote in message
98.139...
Jim Yanik wrote in
4:

"N_Cook" wrote in
:

....

it's probably just a resistor value that gets read,forms a voltage
divider and the developed V gets read. Simple,cheap to implement.
No resistor,you get the "insufficient supply" message.


[quote from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inspiron]

"AC power adapter type cannot be determined"

When I startup my computer, I get the message "The AC power adapter type
cannot be determined. Your system will operate slower and the battery will
not charge."

This error occurs due to a communication error between an id-chip within
the AC adapter and the laptop. Mostly the issue is due to unprotected
1-wire id-chip getting destroyed, or the laptop motherboard being damaged.
This issue has been known for a long time and DELL has done nothing to fix
it or compensate customers more than replacing the damaged component
within warranty, i.e. AC adapter or laptop motherboard. There are reports
of customers replacing the AC adapter several times. This indicates that
it is a design flaw, wrong construction that can destroy the id-chip. More
info on

http://www.laptops-battery.co.uk/blo...r-type-cannot-
be-determined-solution/#content

[end quote]

--
bz

please pardon my infinite ignorance, the set-of-things-I-do-not-know is an
infinite set.


That 3 wire problem , not a problem. Have the compaq with me now , took dvm
readings, chassis ground to outer face of that 3 way line connector, red
DVM
plus probe to chassis on diode test 0.63V forward V, nothing on neg to
ground . Current limited power up on bench supply, needed to switch on pc
before it would charge (maybe my inadequate bodged up dummy 7.3/5mm
connector). No requirement to have third pin connected for this use. No
popup my side of Vista password entry anyway, perhaps a Dell problem and
third wire problems.