It's normal for laptop batteries to die after a couple years, right?

[Infohawk]

I have a compaq presario which I bought in late 2001. I've been using it a lot. Recently, the laptop indicator would say it was full but if I unplugged the computer, it would power off. I tried taking the battery out and putting it back in again hoping it would recharge. In linux it just says the battery is full but it's at 67%, but it still doesn't keep the computer on.

Is this normal? Anyway to remedy this without buying a new battery?

Thanks

 

[InlineFive]

I think you might need a new battery. I bought a laptop and it's battery only lasted 20 minutes, probably from long use. My new battery lasts 4 hours. Some people say you can try fully charging and draining the battery a couple of times and see if that fixes it. Otherwise just make sure to follow the basic care for a battery.

1. Fully charge and discharge it once a month.
2. Try to almost run the battery all the way down before charging. This will wear the battery down "evenly" so to speak.
3. If it just sits at home as a desktop consider removing the battery and just using the AC adapter.

-Por

 

[PhlashFoto]

Lithium-Ion batteries have a few yrs life span... even if you dont use it. Once the battery is manufactured the clock starts ticking on the life of it.

My own laptop battery is dead for the most part. The only thing is to buy a new battery as best i know. Hope this clears it up and best of luck to you.

 

[bacillus]

Originally posted by: PorBleemo
I think you might need a new battery. I bought a laptop and it's battery only lasted 20 minutes, probably from long use. My new battery lasts 4 hours. Some people say you can try fully charging and draining the battery a couple of times and see if that fixes it. Otherwise just make sure to follow the basic care for a battery.

1. Fully charge and discharge it once a month.
2. Try to almost run the battery all the way down before charging. This will wear the battery down "evenly" so to speak.
3. If it just sits at home as a desktop consider removing the battery and just using the AC adapter.

-Por

if you have a Li-ion battery then do NOT use suggestions 1 and 2!

 

[WobbleWobble]

Right. Never run down a Li-Ion to 0%. If you choose to cycle, then 3-5% is what I recommend. Li-Ions have a short lifespan, after the first year you'll probably only have 75% life left in it and after 2 years left than 50%.

I wouldn't say your situation of a non-working battery is normal. It's time to replace the battery in your case.

 

[WackyDan]

NIMH(?)-(Nickel) batteries= lots of charging cycles but feature that dreaded "memory" problem if you leave them plugged in all the time or never completely drain them before charging again.

L-ion batteries= less charging cycles than NIMH, but don't have the memory/capacity problem of the former.

See what type you have. If you can get a L-ion for your laptop, by all means by that instead of a NIMH battery.