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I've got an odd problem with a Dell Latitude D620 laptop.

If the laptop is running on battery alone then it works perfectly, however the moment you connect a power adapter to the laptop it shuts down. If you try and boot the laptop with a power adapter connected it remains powered up for 3-4 seconds before shutting down.

I've tried two different power adapters and both behave the same. The laptop charges the battery normally if it's left turned off.

Does anyone have any ideas on what could possibly be up with the laptop, or other things I can check.

Thanks, Jon.

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  • Do you have a different power adapter to try?
    – Dave
    Sep 24, 2013 at 8:13
  • @DaveRook - Yes I've tried a power adapter from my laptop. It works fine on my laptop but not on the problem laptop
    – ciantrius
    Sep 24, 2013 at 8:47

1 Answer 1

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I think you need to change your power options or your performance optinos.

When plugged in, the system is changing its settings (or it's power plan more accurately) (and this could mean more power to your board/CPU etc which makes it over heat, it could be a brighter screen and a hardware glitch is going funny, it could be the voltage is just screwing something else up).

I suggest you load the laptop up with the battery and open up Control Panel, Power Options. Ensure the settings when plugged in match when you're on battery power (since we know battery power's options work).

If this resolves it, then you at least have a place to trouble shoot (and you can start enhancing the machine slowly to see what is killing it).

If this doesn't resolve it then it's probably hardware (either the power socket on the laptop or the battery itself).

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  • It was working fine last night on battery, but no joy at all this morning. I think your final statement is right, dead hardware and destined for the recycling plant. Thanks for taking the time to reply
    – ciantrius
    Sep 24, 2013 at 8:59
  • @ciantrius Can you try this: remove the battery, plug it in and then try? If this works, then it means you only need a new battery and the machine is probably fine.
    – Dave
    Sep 24, 2013 at 9:19
  • The battery is only a few weeks old and the laptop won't POST with either power adapter connected.
    – ciantrius
    Sep 24, 2013 at 9:30
  • @ciantrius Are you trying this with battery removed? Make sure battery is totally out and see if it boots with just the power adapter.
    – Dave
    Sep 24, 2013 at 9:31
  • Just tried again to be sure. The battery is on the desk next to me. Connect power adapter and power on the laptop, the Num / Caps / Shift lock lights and power light come on solidly for 4 seconds then the laptop powers off again. Tried with two power adapters.
    – ciantrius
    Sep 24, 2013 at 9:46

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