Inspiron 6000 screen flicker with battery

[Guest]

5 week old Dell Inspiron 6000. When I unplug the AC adapter, the screen
flickers/flashes until I re-plugit in.

Went through diagnostics with Dell, new battery, etc. and they said it is
the software related to the power management system. We did get it up in
non-windows environment and it stopped flickering.

They want me to go back and use the factory settings but I would prefer not
to with the programs and data I have since installed. I have a back-up drive
on order anyway. The programs added since new include Adobe's premiere
elements, Canon driver for camera, print drivers, firefox, and AOL including
AIM (teenage girl uses machine).

Any idea of what could be causing this or a "quick" fix. It's frustrating
having a non-portable laptop.

 

[DL]

(teenage girl uses machine). dangerous!
Did this happen prior to you installing these apps?

 

[Guest]

We did not use it without the battery before this incident so I can't know if
it happened straight from the factory - unfortunately this has never happened
to a laptop I owned so I did not think to check it.

PS - we using XP Pro

 

[DL]

You say it doesnt flicker out of win, you've tried turning off all win pwr
management?
It happens in safe mode?
I think you say you've tried a new battery.
PS if you leave a battery connected whilst 'constantly' using mains, this
can cause a battery to fail early.
Not all laptops can be run with battery removed.

 

[Guest]

It does not happen in safemode. I always leave the battery in with the AC
adapter.

Right now the computer is completely dead after the Dell service techician
installed a refurbished motherboard. Complete disaster. They want to
replace it with a refurbished model but I told them that was not acceptable.
They are jerks!

 

[DL]

Obviously the problem was with the mobo video adapter.
Well as I assume youre the otherside of the pond I'm unsure how warranties
work over there, if it was here you'de be entitled, in law, to demand either
a new sys or your money back.
Generally Dell Laptops have a v.good reputation