My Gateway laptop MP8708, battery will not charge. I ran it completely down (red indicator light) a few weeks ago while burning a C-D, it went down fairly quickly(15-20 min. total run), although I don't know how charged it was? I kept it constantly plugged into A/C after that, while in use or off for a few weeks, (w/purple charging light); after 2 weeks the charging indicator went to blue, indicating charged, but that was the last time. I have since run it very breifly on the battery and it has since always shown to be charging and has warned of a low battery. The indicator in the past would show charged quickly after a minimal use period predictably while using A/C.
I normally use the A/C adapter and briefly or accidently use the battery only on occasion. It did keep powered fine for 3 or 4 hours a few months ago
I have since found out about the need to run the BIOS to condition the 8-cell-LI-ION, however as far as I know this was unfortunately not ever mentioned in any of the original documentation.
I have tried to BIOS condition the thing 3 times:
1- The first was for 3 or 4 hours, it started at 19% charge and 3% completed and went to 3% charge 3% completed; I shut it off to use the computer before completion. [/font]
2- Started at 3% charge and 3% completed and went to 1% charge 0% completed; after 7 hrs. I shut it off before completion.
3- started at 1% charge and 1% completed and went to 3% charge 1% completed; I shut it off after 12 hours, again before completion.
I have heard some have had luck with flashing or updating their BIOS to get the battery back on track, there is an update available. I am on 72.09 w/XP currently, the update would be 72.14 for XP/Vista, (and may be intended for a planned upgrade to Vista??, which I am not planning on doing).
I also wonder if I could cause some other problems unnecessarily, by flashing or upgrading a possibly fine working BIOS?
My DVD/CD burner also went a few days ago: no spin or recognizing media, just clicks.
I id order another A/C adapter, just in case it is not producing enough power. I probably should have borrowed a meter and checked the old one first.
If you have any insight or experience on any of this I would appreciate hearing from you.
I normally use the A/C adapter and briefly or accidently use the battery only on occasion. It did keep powered fine for 3 or 4 hours a few months ago
I have since found out about the need to run the BIOS to condition the 8-cell-LI-ION, however as far as I know this was unfortunately not ever mentioned in any of the original documentation.
I have tried to BIOS condition the thing 3 times:
1- The first was for 3 or 4 hours, it started at 19% charge and 3% completed and went to 3% charge 3% completed; I shut it off to use the computer before completion. [/font]
2- Started at 3% charge and 3% completed and went to 1% charge 0% completed; after 7 hrs. I shut it off before completion.
3- started at 1% charge and 1% completed and went to 3% charge 1% completed; I shut it off after 12 hours, again before completion.
I have heard some have had luck with flashing or updating their BIOS to get the battery back on track, there is an update available. I am on 72.09 w/XP currently, the update would be 72.14 for XP/Vista, (and may be intended for a planned upgrade to Vista??, which I am not planning on doing).
I also wonder if I could cause some other problems unnecessarily, by flashing or upgrading a possibly fine working BIOS?
My DVD/CD burner also went a few days ago: no spin or recognizing media, just clicks.
I id order another A/C adapter, just in case it is not producing enough power. I probably should have borrowed a meter and checked the old one first.
If you have any insight or experience on any of this I would appreciate hearing from you.
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