I have a Dell Inspiron 1150 laptop. The hole on the back of the
computer where you plug in the AC power adapter is loose and therefore
only charges some of the time. You need to wiggle it in order to get
it to charge and even then it might stop charging. I called Dell
technical support and they were, besides being hard to understand, of
no help. I did order a brand new power adapter but that didn't help,
of course, because the problem is that something is loose in the
laptop. Is there another way to power the laptop, say for example, can
you charge the battery seperate from the laptop? Is it difficult to
take off the bottom of the laptop to get to the component that the
adapter plugs in to in order to charge? Is there some other option I
have to get the laptop charged?

I had a similar problem and purchased a replicator (docking station)
for about $50 including shipping off of ebay (new with warranty).  The
adapter plugs into the docking station and the laptop connects to the
docking station through a connection in the bottom of the laptop
thereby bypassing the irksome power port on the laptop.

The power socket is mounted on the motherboard, you cannot replace it
without replacing the whole motherboard which would be both difficult
and expensive. Dell are unlikely to repair the issue as it's unlikely
that the port became loose on it's own - that would be classed as user
damage unless the machine had just come out of the box. The dock
suggestion above is much cheaper and more practical then trying to fix
it yourself or paying for a Dell engineer.

My daughter knocked my 6 month old laptop off the couch and now I have
a similar problem.   Can you please tell me the part number of the
replicator--I do not see anything on e-bay.

Thanks much.

I actually ended up taking care of the problem myself. I mailed it to
a guy in Washington, the Laptop-Doctor, who repaired it for $89. Not
bad and good as new. I was happy.

This is a common problem in Dell Inspiron 1159 and 5150 laptops. Is
has to do with overheating of the motherboard causing premature
problems with the power port. In effect the heat weakens the
motherboard in the area of the AC port which eventually cracks causing
an incomplete circuit. I have just ordered a new motherboard at a cost
of $300 but after ordering I found an advertisement online for a NY
based company that claims to be able to repair the problem for less
and permanently. I have not tried them yet but if you want to try it
is www.aqstech.com
I would like to find out how many people have had this problem, if
there are enough perhaps a class action could be generated for a
forced recall.

Wow, didn't realize so many people had the same problem.  I've been
looking for answers for my problem when I found this on Google
answers.  My friend suggested a docking station, but I couldn't really
find anything about it.  Thank You.

And I would be interested in adding my name to any class action.  It's
terrible what Dell is doing.  I've had to replace my power adaptor
about 6 or so times.  It usually worked fine after I would get the
refurbished power adaptor.  Although, I recently had the problem
again, and no amount of wiggle or anything would get that stupid
adaptor to charge my laptop.  Usually the adaptors stop working after
a few months and I figured it was a flaw with the ac adaptors design. 
Now I know better.  I recently called, and they put me through all the
tests, take out the batter, plug in the adaptor, try a friends
adaptor(like I have a friend with a good Dell adaptor sitting right
next to me) that the "tech" person said it's probably the motherboard.
 Ok that's great, they KNOW they have a problem with they're
Inspirons...why do they keep selling them like there's no problem.  It
shouldn't cost us money to fix something they never made right to
begin with.  Although it was kind of them to allow me to keep this
last ac adaptor on the house(I didn't have to send the old one back
again) of course, it didn't help regardless.

I have a Inspiron 5100 since about 2003 or 2004. The problems with
charging started late 2004 I think.  Besides not charging, and
overheating the laptop has been fine.  It's too bad I can't use it.  I
calling Dell right now and hopefully they can replace the problem at
no charge...since it's they're problem to begin with.

I have an Inspiron 6000 and the same exact problem.  It got to where
the computer screen would constantly flicker between bright and dimmed
and ultimately refused to charge the batteries with the original Dell
AC standard adapter I had.   I bought a more expensive combo auto and
AC adapter from Dell which for some reason was recognized the
computer, and I was finally able to get my batteries recharged.   It
still flickers though, even as I type this.   This is absolutely the
last Dell I buy.   If anyone is doing a class action, I would join
too.