Strange Dell Laptop Problem OK it is well known that one of the weak links in the power system of a laptop is the AC adapter cord.→[More:] A couple years ago, this slowly went out, on my Inspiron 2650. It shows up with indications that the battery does not get charged when the cord is plugged in and when the cord is jiggled, it connects, etc. Then is progressively unresponsive to cord jiggling, until ceases to charge, altogether.

So two years ago, got a new cord, problem fixed. Well it started happening again, got progressively worse, until the computer was unusable (this teamed with a worn out battery). Ordered a new cord, and now it works better but not completely. It still phases back and forth between charging and running off the battery when plugged in.

I have read that sometimes the problem is IN the computer in the connection to the motherboard, and the fix for this is a new motherboard, aka, new computer.

But on further inspection of the connection, I noticed that one of the three "male" pins on the computer side of the connection is discolored, possibly with corrosion. I am wondering if I got some contact cleaner and put it on there, if this might help the connection.

What I cannot explain is the fact that this brand new part seems to only make it a little better, but not fix, the problem. If it was the motherboard connection, it seems that a new cord would make no difference at all. If it was the cord, it seems that the new cord fixes it. My only guess left is the physical connection of the pins to the sockets inside the cord plug.

Any other guesses? Has anyone else dealt with this?

In advance, thanks for the hope, bunnies.