Dell laptop doesn't recognize the ac adaptor

"Basically when I plug it in I get a nice popup telling me that it couldn't detect that its a Dell power supply so it won't charge the battery and underclocks the system. It still works for other purposes (that is, giving power)
I thought it was the actual power supply cable so I bought a new one, that worked for a while, provided I inserted it at JUST THE RIGHT angle. But now that's not working anymore, so I assume its the part which connects to the computer.
The battery charging I can live without, the underclocking I can't. I'd like a way around this issue. Things I've tried:
Updating the BIOS
Replacing the power supply cable
Inserting it at different angles
Turning it off and on again
Swearing at it
Twisting it while inserting it
So, is there a workaround somehow? I'd like to avoid taking out my soldering kit and risking permanently damaging expensive equipment if that's allright. I'm hoping for a software solution.
Added: The exact model is a Del Inspirion N5010"
Answer:" I suppose that there would be a few models that DO have more than two wires going down the ac cable; however if you follow my trouble shooting guide your problem will be solved.
1: Check battery
2: Check AD adapter
3: Check DC power jack to motherboard connector/wire/ whatever it is
if it is not one of those three things then you have faulty circuitry on the motherboard that can be repaired by someone with experience - not by the folks at Best Buy - not likely at any local computer repair shop either... you need a tech that has advanced skills (and tools) <br />
if your problem is the Dell DA130PE1-00 ac adapter because Dell has a build in mechanism to make sure the adapter is Dell before allowing it to charge the battery. However, even if the adapter is Dell, if the identifier chip inside the adapter is broken, the laptop would refuse to recognize the Dell XPS 15 L502x adapter and stop charging. It seems that your laptop was starting to have the problem when it shows you the message that ac adapter cannot be recognized.
You can follow this Dell's troubleshooting guide to try to get the laptop to recognize the charger. It might not work for your laptop because it is a bit outdated.
http://ftp1.us.dell.com/diags/R66243.htm

If the troubleshooting does not work, most likely, you will have to buy a new adapter for Dell XPS 15 L502x since the laptop cannot identify the charger as Dell anymore. However, before you buy a new charger, borrow someone else's charger to make sure it will charge the laptop and that is the problem for sure. I wouldn't want you to waste money on a part that is not necessary."