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Question

Laptop not recognizing power adapter

by Rewhymo Mar 24, 2015 11:50PM PDT

I have an alienware 17 laptop from dell. last week it shut down on its own. Turns out the power supply died on me.

So my friend lent me a 150w which the laptop needs a 180w. now it got the laptop working but at reduced performance. i wasnt bothered by that.

I ordered a new 180 from amazon and on the package it says 180 but on the adapter it self it says 185. When i plug it in though my laptop sees it as a 150 and runs at the performance of 150.

Do i need to change some function or option for my laptop to see the adapter as a 185 or was i duped on amazon?

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Clarification Request

Dell (and others) use a power adapter ID system.

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Mar 25, 2015 12:21AM PDT

If you get something other than the maker's adapter, such can happen. There are no user settings here. You send it back for the real thing. If the real thing fails, the laptop needs repair.

Why this is, is from the laptop battery fire days. In response makers use an adapter ID system.
Bob

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