I purchased an Inspiron 15 7537 four weeks ago. This afternoon, I noticed some odd behaviour with my laptop's battery notification icon in the taskbar ~
Scenario 1
When laptop is NOT plugged in ~
• Taskbar notification on mouseover says "73% remaining"
• Icon shows battery meter with slight drop in usage
• While I am using the unplugged laptop, the battery meter does not drop from 73%
Scenario 2(a)
When laptop is first plugged in ~
• Taskbar notification on mouseover says "No battery is detected"
• Icon shows a dimmed battery, plug on the left, and a red X
Scenario 2(b)
Approx. 60-90 seconds after laptop has been plugged in ~
• Taskbar notification on mouseover changes to "73% available (plugged in, not charging)"
• Icon shows regular battery with a plug on the left side with slight drop in usage
Given these three ambiguous notifications, I don't know if it's my battery that is not working as it should or the notifications icon is on the fritz.
All three scenarios occur regardless of whether the AC adapter is plugged directly into the wall or into a power bar/surge protector
I am using the AC adapter that came with the laptop
The LED on/off light is lit in both Scenario 2(a) and 2(b)
I have not removed the battery and reseated it (involves removing four screws and entire bottom panel and, unless push comes to shove, I'm not comfortable doing this)
I have not checked the BIOS for unusual AC adapter messages (as I have read others have done by pressing F3 during the Dell logo display ~ again, not in my comfort zone, but would do so if I had to)
For what this info is worth, I'm using Windows 8.1 and the default Dell power plan. This is what I get after my laptop has been plugged in and in constant use for nine hours ~
Yes, I am aware my laptop is covered for one year, however, I'm hoping for an easy answer or explanation that doesn't involve me having to send a four-week old laptop to Dell Canada for parts replacement.
Any and all advice and insight is appreciated. Thank you.