Dell laptop power supplies (for the Inspiron 8600 for example) are a special case in that there is an extra pin in the connector that sends a signal to the laptop. If this connection is broken then you will get an error message on startup that reads something like “the ac power adapter type cannot be determined. this will prevent optimal system performance” and the laptop will power on but will not charge the battery. If the connection problem is in the power jack, as it often is, then the power jack pin has to be resoldered very carefully on the opposite side of the motherboard from the other power jack pins. So when you take your laptop in for repair and you have a power supply with a very thin central pin in the connector, make sure that the technician is proficient in replacing this type of power jack.