Slightly OT: Dell Laptop Power On Error Message

When powering on one of my Dell Inspiron-15-3565 laptop PC, I got the following error message:


The AC adapter type cannot be determined. This will prevent optimalsystem performance.
Strike the F3 key if you don't want to see power warning message again.
Strike F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility. Press F5 to runonboard diagnostics.
Or Unknown or incorrect AC adapter detected.


I discovered that the USB Fan Cooling Stand Pad was running, so when it is off the error does not appear. That indicates the fan is drawinga tad more than the system likes.

Some PC's, not all, have one USB slot that provides more power than others. Check or try different USB ports and see if that makes a difference.

But, at least you know what is causing the error message.

Some Dell chargers have a USB charging port on the AC adapter. Do you have the fan plugged into the PC or into the AC adapter itself?

I would be surprised if something plugged into the PC actually affected the communication between the adapter and PC, unless there was some really poor isolation between the 19V circuitry and the PC USB ports.

PolarNettles said:

Some Dell chargers have a USB charging port on the AC adapter. Do you have the fan plugged into the PC or into the AC adapter itself?

I would be surprised if something plugged into the PC actually affected the communication between the adapter and PC, unless there was some really poor isolation between the 19V circuitry and the PC USB ports.

The fan is plugged into the USB and the mouse wireless bud is as well. The error has not occurred since and if it does I'll ignore it.

fireberd said:

Some PC's, not all, have one USB slot that provides more power than others. Check or try different USB ports and see if that makes a difference.

But, at least you know what is causing the error message.

Yes, I expect random errors now and then so it is no big problem. it appeared only once so not worried. Thanks.

dustymars said:

I discovered that the USB Fan Cooling Stand Pad was running, so when it is off the error does not appear. That indicates the fan is drawing a tad more than the system likes.

FYI, you can check what maximum power USB devices are designed to draw using Uwe Sieber's free, small and portable USB Device Tree Viewer.

Select the connected device using the left-hand pane then scroll down to the Configuration Description section in the right-hand pane to see the MaxPower value.

For example, my scanner:


Alternatively, Nir Sofer's USBDeview (also free, small and portable) shows the same information (by default you need to scroll quite a way to the right in order to see the Power column):


Hope this helps...

Thanks....