battery problem ?

[Jay]

Know that this may be off topic, but hope that someone will help, or suggest
a proper forum: Using an IBM [ante Lenovo] laptop that is about 4 years
old, XP pro - 80GB, with plenty space to spare, and mostly keep it plugged in
when using it, so the battery seldom runs down. Problem is that now, when I
*do* try to use the machine using *only* the battery, it turns off after
about a minute, even tho’ the meter is showing the battery to be charged.
It won’t run on battery alone anymore – is ok. when it is plugged in. Do
I buy a new battery, or a new laptop ? Will appreciate all help. Jay

 

[PA Bear]

1. Buy a new battery. Most only last 2-3 years.

2. Battery storage tips: http://www.batteryuniversity.com/partone-19.htm and
http://www.batteryuniversity.com/partone-21.htm

 

[Malke]

Know that this may be off topic, but hope that someone will help, or suggest
a proper forum: Using an IBM [ante Lenovo] laptop that is about 4 years
old, XP pro - 80GB, with plenty space to spare, and mostly keep it plugged in
when using it, so the battery seldom runs down. Problem is that now, when I
*do* try to use the machine using *only* the battery, it turns off after
about a minute, even tho’ the meter is showing the battery to be charged.
It won’t run on battery alone anymore – is ok. when it is plugged in. Do
I buy a new battery, or a new laptop ? Will appreciate all help. Jay

Batteries don't last forever and yours is definitely past its "sell by"
date. Since the laptop is so old (in computer years), it is probably out
of warranty so replacing the motherboard (in case it's the charger on
the motherboard that is bad) isn't a good idea. Buying a new battery is
the most cost-effective solution. Unfortunately, I don't know of a way
to be sure that problem is with the battery or the motherboard on that
machine. A call to IBM (Lenovo) tech support might answer that.


Malke

 

[db ´¯`·.. >]

with winxp pro and 80 gigs,
i say the laptop still has a
good life ahead of it, especially
since it powers up without
the battery.

a battery would be cheaper
to replace than a laptop.

rechargeable batteries need
to be used regularly to maintain
performance. i recall that in
some cases they need to be
discharged completely in order
to accept a new charge.

but the technology may be different
now a days. however this may be
something to research at the laptops
homesite or the battery's homesite.

--

<)))º>·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><)))º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><)))º>

..

Know that this may be off topic, but hope that someone will help, or suggest
a proper forum: Using an IBM [ante Lenovo] laptop that is about 4 years
old, XP pro - 80GB, with plenty space to spare, and mostly keep it plugged in
when using it, so the battery seldom runs down. Problem is that now, when I
*do* try to use the machine using *only* the battery, it turns off after
about a minute, even tho’ the meter is showing the battery to be charged.
It won’t run on battery alone anymore – is ok. when it is plugged in. Do
I buy a new battery, or a new laptop ? Will appreciate all help. Jay

 

[crazyal]

keeping the laptop plugged in all the time is not good for the
battery, a friend kept his laptop plugged in all time and now if he
unplugs the power cable the laptop turns off.
its time for a new battery

 

[PA Bear]

you sure you got the right end of the stick there, crazyal?

 

[Jay]

Know that this may be off topic, but hope that someone will help, or suggest
a proper forum: Using an IBM [ante Lenovo] laptop that is about 4 years
old, XP pro - 80GB, with plenty space to spare, and mostly keep it plugged in
when using it, so the battery seldom runs down. Problem is that now, when I
*do* try to use the machine using *only* the battery, it turns off after
about a minute, even tho’ the meter is showing the battery to be charged.
It won’t run on battery alone anymore – is ok. when it is plugged in. Do
I buy a new battery, or a new laptop ? Will appreciate all help. Jay

 

[Barry Karas]

About 10 years ago, I read that using the AC constantly on a portable
computer may ruin the battery device.

Barry Karas

Know that this may be off topic, but hope that someone will help, or
suggest
a proper forum: Using an IBM [ante Lenovo] laptop that is about 4 years
old, XP pro - 80GB, with plenty space to spare, and mostly keep it
plugged in
when using it, so the battery seldom runs down. Problem is that now,
when I
*do* try to use the machine using *only* the battery, it turns off
after
about a minute, even tho' the meter is showing the battery to be charged.
It won't run on battery alone anymore - is ok. when it is plugged in.
Do
I buy a new battery, or a new laptop ? Will appreciate all help.
Jay

 

[Jay]

Many thanks to Malke,PABear,db,crazyal,and Barry - and sorry that somehow, I
re-posted the original query. Jay

Know that this may be off topic, but hope that someone will help, or suggest
a proper forum: Using an IBM [ante Lenovo] laptop that is about 4 years
old, XP pro - 80GB, with plenty space to spare, and mostly keep it plugged in
when using it, so the battery seldom runs down. Problem is that now, when I
*do* try to use the machine using *only* the battery, it turns off after
about a minute, even tho’ the meter is showing the battery to be charged.
It won’t run on battery alone anymore – is ok. when it is plugged in. Do
I buy a new battery, or a new laptop ? Will appreciate all help. Jay

Batteries don't last forever and yours is definitely past its "sell by"
date. Since the laptop is so old (in computer years), it is probably out
of warranty so replacing the motherboard (in case it's the charger on
the motherboard that is bad) isn't a good idea. Buying a new battery is
the most cost-effective solution. Unfortunately, I don't know of a way
to be sure that problem is with the battery or the motherboard on that
machine. A call to IBM (Lenovo) tech support might answer that.


Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

 

[Malke]

About 10 years ago, I read that using the AC constantly on a portable
computer may ruin the battery device.

That was then and this is now. Battery technology has changed.


Malke