My laptop's battery suddenly won't recharge.

[imported_spinoza]

I have an IBM X40 with an extended battery. It was working fine until this morning. I attempted to recharge it, and it won't recharge (the battery meter stays at 4%). I think the AC adapter is OK because the laptop runs fine when it's plugged in. Any idea why it refuses to recharge? Is there a simple fix for this? I can't believe that the battery died overnight.

 

[montag451]

If you run the laptop on just battery, does it boot up ok, and how long does the 4% last?
If it looks like the battery won't make it, get ready with the AC.

 

[corkyg]

Laptop batteries have a finite lifespan. Laptop charging circuits have also been known to fail, but that is not as common. If your battery is over three years old, I would say - bid it farewell and replace it.

If you can access someone else's X40, try it there. That will rule out a bad charging circuit.

 

[Smartazz]

I think that it could be deep discharge, except for the fact that it reads 4%, but that reading could be wrong.

 

[imported_spinoza]

The extended battery itself is less than a year old. The battery LED just flashes orange when the laptop is plugged in. The battery still hasn't recharged. Odd behavior indeed.

 

[montag451]

Well, how long do you get with this 4%?

 

[imported_spinoza]

About two minutes. The battery has now drained entirely and it won't recharge.

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: spinoza
The battery LED just flashes orange when the laptop is plugged in.

the battery has failed. Replace the battery.

 

[imported_spinoza]

I just want to be sure that it's a battery failure, not a failure somewhere else (like the charging circuit). I know it's not a problem with the AC adapter, because I used a spare adapter and got the same effect.

How can I determine whether the battery or the charging circuit is at fault? I don't want to invest in a new battery (since this one's only a year old) without being certain that it's gone bad (for whatever reason).

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: spinoza
How can I determine whether the battery or the charging circuit is at fault? I don't want to invest in a new battery (since this one's only a year old) without being certain that it's gone bad (for whatever reason).

Like I said, the only non-laboratory way I know to do that is to find someone else with the same laptop and try your battery in it.

 

[imported_spinoza]

I do have another (smaller) Thinkpad battery. I suppose I could insert it to see whether it charges. Then I'd know whether it's a circuit problem or a battery problem.

 

[montag451]

You have to be really careful about swapping batteries between different models.

Firstly, more than likely they won't fit - that isn't a problem - that stops you from hurting your lappy.
Second, the voltages can be different.
Third, The pins/connectors will be in a different pos.

 

[imported_spinoza]

No, I meant that have a spare 4-cell battery (as opposed to the extended battery that's probably dead). I'm not swapping a non-X40 battery.

 

[montag451]

Oh, go for it then.

 

[corkyg]

Exactly! Common sense rules. I have two batteries for each of my two laptops. It's an easy process.

 

[natenut]

hey did you ever figure out if this is the charging circuit? i have an x40 with the same symptoms but it wont charge even with a different battery. I re-soldered the connections on the charging lug, but still no go. anyone know of a fix that is quick and dirty? I'm pretty handy with a soldering iron.

Or if anyone has a x40 with a blown hard drive or bad monitor, i could use the organ transplant of a new motherboard. i will love you long time.

cheers,
nate