artemicion
Golden Member
I'm trying to fix my friend's dell laptop, which is hella old and has several problems. One of the problems is that even when it's plugged into AC power, Windows detects it as running off battery power - which isn't exactly true because the laptop will run plugged into the AC adapter endlessly. Rarely the computer will randomly detect the AC adapter, causing the screen to display brighter, etc. I don't know how to make this happen as it seems random, possibly related to jiggling the wires, but I can't recreate the scenario.
I don't think it's an issue with the AC adapter because I've tried plugging it into other AC adapters and the same thing happens.
Anyway, this is problematic because I can't install service packs on it because when I try to, it gives me an error saying that the comp must be plugged into AC power to install a service pack.
So I was wondering if there was a way around this and force Windows to install the service pack. Is there a way to manually override the install, or possibly force Windows to recognize the AC power? Or is there an easy hardware fix I could do?
I'm trying to fix the comp without spending much. Obviously with a notebook this old it's probably better just buying a new one, but my friend just needs 1) internet and 2) Word so he can live with a gimpy laptop. I guess service packs aren't all that important if he's just using the internet and Word, but the security fixes would be nice.
Other possibly pertinent information: when plugged in, the battery indicator light on the laptop flashes orange and green, which I've been told indicates that the battery is dead. I've tried taking out the battery to see if the comp will run with just the AC adapter plugged into it, but the notebook doesn't power on. I don't know if it's designed that way, or if it's indicative of a problem not related to the battery. I don't think my friend wants to buy a new battery because he's fine with a comp that needs to be plugged in all the time.
Thanks!
I don't think it's an issue with the AC adapter because I've tried plugging it into other AC adapters and the same thing happens.
Anyway, this is problematic because I can't install service packs on it because when I try to, it gives me an error saying that the comp must be plugged into AC power to install a service pack.
So I was wondering if there was a way around this and force Windows to install the service pack. Is there a way to manually override the install, or possibly force Windows to recognize the AC power? Or is there an easy hardware fix I could do?
I'm trying to fix the comp without spending much. Obviously with a notebook this old it's probably better just buying a new one, but my friend just needs 1) internet and 2) Word so he can live with a gimpy laptop. I guess service packs aren't all that important if he's just using the internet and Word, but the security fixes would be nice.
Other possibly pertinent information: when plugged in, the battery indicator light on the laptop flashes orange and green, which I've been told indicates that the battery is dead. I've tried taking out the battery to see if the comp will run with just the AC adapter plugged into it, but the notebook doesn't power on. I don't know if it's designed that way, or if it's indicative of a problem not related to the battery. I don't think my friend wants to buy a new battery because he's fine with a comp that needs to be plugged in all the time.
Thanks!
