I bought an Inspiron 1520 14 months ago. Early on I noted that the adapter dell sent would sometimes slip out if the laptop was touched. Then at 6 moths I started getting a message on power up -"AC adapter wattage & type cannot be determined". Two weeks later the battery was drained and the system wouldn't recharge it.

I called Dell and asked for a new adapter as I felt that slipping out and "adapter type be determined" message I got on power up meant the adapter was faulty. Dell absolutely refused to replace the adapter even though it (as turns out) Dell KNEW it's adapters were causing MAJOR pc damage. The pc damage caused by Dells faulty adapters is HUGELY profitable as Dell has been using it to sell extended warranties, new batteries, new adapters, and new motherboards to customers. Thousands have been affected by this scam. There are class action suits yet Dell has made no official recall or admission.

These faulty Dell adapters that can't be recognized by your new laptop will eventually cause your battery to be unrecognized by the pc. And the battery will most likely need to be replaced in a matter of months. My 14 month old laptop is on its 3rd adapter, 2nd battery and 2nd motherboard. All because Dell was sitting on a truckload of adapters they knew had serious design flaws and shipping them out with new computers purchased Dell KNOWINGLY sent these adapters to new buyers and as replacements to anyone under warranty.

http://www.laptop-junction.com/toast/content/dell-ac-power-adapter-id-chip-died

http://getsatisfaction.com/dell/topics/_the_ac_power_adapter_type_cannot_be_determined_your_system_will_operate_slower_and_the_battery_will_not_charge

http://chaotictech.wordpress.com/2008/06/19/review-dell-refurbished-adapter/