Expected Vdc output on a laptop w/BSOD

[Essiesc]

Terrible question, but necessary since I'm not an AC/DC expert. Would a laptop power adapter connected to a laptop that only booted to the BSOD and would not boot to the operating system (Windows) be expected to produce a lower output than normal (15.1 Vdc vs the listed 18.5 Vdc)? Or should a power adapter always produce the same Vdc output regardless of whether a laptop boots to the OS, BSOD or has no OS installed at all?

Adapter Specifications:
65W; 50-60 Hz
Input: 100-240V~1.7A
Output: 18.5V/3.5A

*The laptop PSU/rechargeable battery had also been removed at the time of the Vdc reading, if that makes any difference.

Thank you in advance for any insight!

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... 1) a Power Supply/Battery can have a higher "Open circuit" voltage than a "Loaded one"
2) a "Battery Pack" in anything can go BAD... failure modes include "shorted" "open" between the installed multi cells themselves.
3) There are 'regulated" and "Non-regulated" power supplies... normal "open circuit" and "closed circuit" voltage reading/characteristics between them will be different.

1) is this the original power supply that came with the laptop?
2) How old is the battery in it?