So my laptop doesn't seem to be recognizing that the power is plugged in, so it is still in battery mode and draining away. The taskbar icon has switched a couple of times to AC power and began charging, but then goes back to battery. Any suggestions? (I just noticed that it's 4:20 and I'm at 46% charge, though I don't believe the two are related

I have a similar problem, but it happens very rarely. What brand/model is it? If you notice a burning smell or discoloration of the plug (on the laptop side), get a replacement immediately.

It's a Dell Latitude D510. There's no bad smells or discoloration, it just won't switch to AC power when plugged in. The laptop does get pretty warm after a while of use, but it doesn't seem to be the battery that's hot. I'm thinking about taking the battery out since it is plugged in most of the time anyway...

Ok, so I'm a dumbass...it won't run w/o the battery installed. This leaves me really fucked, because there's only about 40 min left on the battery and I don't know how to make it see that it's plugged into the damn wall.

The only thing that I've ever found to work is to turn the machine off and unplug the power. Let everything cool off for a good while, then try again. I know from experience how frustrating this problem can be.

Yea, I did try that...didn't work. Thanks anyway.

I've heard of this before, and it's an issue where the power socket is getting detached from the mobo and not making contact.

Thanks devil...that's definitely what's happening. I'm sitting here holding the plug cause there's one pain-in-the-ass-to-find spot where contact is made and charging begins

DUDE! you got a dell! alright! maybe don't buy the yugo of computers next time......

Touche. However, this belongs to the company I work for, so I don't have to take the blame.

so why not take it to them and tell them it doesn't charge? do they not care ?

Yeah, they care and I'm working out the details as we post. Unfortunately, they are about 100 miles away & I'm too damn busy to make a trip...but I've found a way to 'hold' the plug so the mobo reads the socket (and the battery charges), and it looks like that may be my temporary solution until I can get back home.

this problem is actually a common one with laptop computers. I worked at CCity and saw laptops from EVERY brand that had the issue where users had to apply pressure in a certian way for it to charge. Its possible to fix it, but to do that you would have to be very skilled at soldering and an electrical engineer. Now considering this is Rolla, that isn't as much of a problem as it usually is. However, it's probably a better idea to get Dell to RMA it. If you have a service plan, its not likely a probelm - if you dont you may have to fight before they admit its under warranty. (if its not under warranty anymore - you're fucked)

Yep, that's exactly what's happening. Since it's my work's computer, I'll let them worry about fixing/replacing it...and just deal with the inconvenience until I get back home. Thanks for the info.

So my temporary solution seems to be more temporary than I'd hoped...applying pressure doesn't work anymore and I'm not comfortable digging inside to re-solder the connections. Does anyone know if there are any other ways to charge the battery besides through the laptop, i.e. a separate battery charger? If so, where's a good place to find one?