Dell laptop power adaptor - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: wallis
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2018, 11:30:43 am
content: Hello All,Im trying to repair a dell laptop that keeps coming up with a warning that the power adaptor cannot be identified so the unit will run in a low power state.I have found out that the id signal is sent via a Dallas 2501. I managed to salvage 1 from an old adaptor and wanted to fit it internally to the laptop to prevent any more issues. Only problem is the laptop still displays the same fault.Can I test the dallas 2501 with a scope if so how, many thanks in advance.Kind regardsWallis

author: KhronX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2018, 12:07:33 pm
content: What model laptop is that?

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 26, 2018, 12:18:29 pm
content: Quote from: wallis on March 26, 2018, 11:30:43 amDo you realize it's an EPROM? It needs to contain proper data in it, not to say that laptop may be faulty as well.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2018, 12:18:47 pm
content: Put the pointy end of the probe on the data pin.Did you confirm the fault lays in the adapter? Does it charge at all?i.e. tried another working adapter or checked for broken or intermittent contactsDid you pull a 2501 off an identical adapter?What makes you think the 2501 has the same ID?The ID the 2501 sends could be anything from the wattage to model specific identification.

author: wallis
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2018, 04:01:40 pm
content: Hello its an Inspiron 8600 I had lying around, adaptor is PA-10 Family

author: wallis
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2018, 04:03:43 pm
content: Thats what Im asking , if there is a way to check the data with a scope?

author: wallis
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2018, 04:07:57 pm
content: yes yes the pointy thing indeedI removed the 1205 from a PA-12 that is compatible with the PA-10I wanted to know if there was a way to check the component to see if it was faulty as it does not cure the issue

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2018, 11:54:06 pm
content: since this is an one wire eeprom if you have or can find an programmer / reader to check it ....few linkshttps://hackaday.com/2014/03/03/hacking-dell-laptop-charger-identification/http://www.laptop-junction.com/toast/content/inside-dell-ac-power-adapter-mystery-revealedhttp://www.laptop-junction.com/toast/content/dell-ac-power-adapter-id-chip-diedhttp://320volt.com/en/dell-pa-12-laptop-smps-19v-3-34a-adaptor-semasi/http://www.instructables.com/id/Modify-a-Dell-Laptop-Power-Supply-PA-10/

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2018, 11:57:09 pm
content: oh i forgot, sometime the problem is the center pin who get loose and break in the connector, or the soldering break, i had these problems and resorted to china adapters for 1/3 of the price, up to this day they still get goingWhen i dismantled the connector i found out why it failed ...

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2018, 03:10:43 am
content: Quote from: wallis on March 26, 2018, 04:07:57 pmCheck yes by probing the data pin. Check if faulty means you will have to debug (translate) the communication and ID info that is sent from the 1205, which is not a quick or especially easy for you. To ensure any replacement is 100% the same you would have to program it.Always prove the fault exists before embarking on large wastes of time. It's easy to google and jump right in and think it must be the 1205, reread my earlier post, you have to rule out other assumptions first. If you have already tested continuity and intermittent connections in the signal wire and that the adapter is functioning fine otherwise, the next logical choice is try another identical adapter which should work perfect. Then you know with fairly high confidence something is not right with yours.You might want to check this out because it seems there is other funny business going on with underrated adapters, you need to confirm all this type of stuff first.https://www.dell.com/community/Laptops-General/A-PROBABLE-solution-to-ADAPTER-problems-Inspiron-8600-and-maybe/td-p/1403188