Laptop battery death

[stickybones]

I'm using an ancient IBM Thinkpad 765D to run Turbo Link. The last time I used it (a few months ago) everything was fine. Fired up the laptop over the weekend and the battery was dead. It wouldn't take a charge either. Is this normal? I'm not the most computer savvy person. I thought that although the battery may have drained while dormant, I figured it would charge up again when used with the adapter. Am I expecting too much out of my battery by expecting it to last at least a few hundred charging cycles?

Thanks
Mike

 

[turbot2112]

sounds like its beat to me. somebody gave me a old laptop and i tried charging the battery for 3 days and nothing. got a new battery and it works fine now.

 

[turbojimmy]

I've had that problem with all 3 of my Thinkpads. If they sit too long without being plugged in, it seems the batteries die and then won't take a charge. They're expensive, too. I just keep them plugged in now. If you don't want to drop $100 on a battery, get a power inverter for your car. Should cause half as much.

Jim

 

[stickybones]

I have a power inverter for the car. However (maybe it's just me and my car), if the car is off and I'm running it off the cigarette lighter, the laptop cuts off when I turn the ignition over to start the car. That's why I want the battery to be good. For that one instant when starting the car.

I hate rebooting. Especially when this happens since it goes thru the "you didn't shut down properly" scolding rountine.

 

[turbojimmy]

Originally posted by stickybones
I have a power inverter for the car. However (maybe it's just me and my car), if the car is off and I'm running it off the cigarette lighter, the laptop cuts off when I turn the ignition over to start the car. That's why I want the battery to be good. For that one instant when starting the car.

I hate rebooting. Especially when this happens since it goes thru the "you didn't shut down properly" scolding rountine.

No, it's not just you. The power drops when you start the car. I bit the bullet and just bought a $100 battery for my DirectScan laptop for the same reason. I keep it plugged in in the garage all the time to keep the battery charged up.

Jim

 

[GN owner]

Laptop Battery

If you don't use the laptop for a period of time then you should take the battery out. The battery is being drained eventhough the laptop is turned off.

 

[GNandTTA]

Leaving it plugged in is not the best idea either. Even the best designed charging circuit will burn out the battery eventualy. I think the best solution is leave the battery disconnected from the laptop when not being used BUT do not let it sit too long without getting a charge because it will discharge even when disconected. Make sure it is fully charged before removing it.

 

[turbojimmy]

Thanks for the tips - I'll pull the battery when I'm not using it.

Jim