Battery Question, Please help!

[misellu]

I got my T42 about a week ago and everything have been working fine. But the problem happened about 10 mins ago.

My battery stopped recharging. I started using it without the AC adapter until the battery reached 54%. So I close the lit (went to stand by mode), then plug-in the AC and got the computer working again. I notice even after 10 mins the battery still remained at 54% and there was no activity in the battery (it usually charges really fast).

I started to get nervous (after reading some of the posting about battery in this forum), another 5 mins gone by still 54%. So I did the hibernate thing and unplugged the battery and it works again.

In you guys opinion, should I call IBM and maybe get another battery or this is normal?


Believe it or not, this problem actually happened while I was reading another posting about the same problem, it's VERY strange to me.

[XCoalMiner]

I'm also experiencing a strange battery charging problem. It worked find until yesterday. This is on a three-month old T41.

Battery wouldn't charge above 67%. So I ran on battery to fully discharge (~5%), and after leaving on adapter all night and morning, it now shows 9%. Rebooted, and strangely, the battery MaxiMizer in the taskbar failed to show up. So I restarted that, via the IBM wizard, and still seeing 9%.

If it doesn't correct by tomorrow, I'm going to call and ask about warranty replacement.

[Flightvector]

Forgive me if I wrongly assume that you may be unfamiliar with the computer, but this is just to be sure it is not a small setting error.

What percent-value setting did you set for the charge-below threshold in the Improve battery health dialog?

On the Battery Maximiser icon in the taskbar:
1. Left-click to open the battery menu
2. Click "Improve battery health" and check what the top value is

The charging threshold indicates that you want the laptop to wait until it is below this value before ever commencing with charging. This feature on the T42 is very useful since it increases the longevity of unused Lithium Ion batteries. Unplugging the battery exempts it from this threshold for one cycle, because it figures that you are switching batteries purposely.

It sounds like the above addresses your problem completely Misellu, since you were at 54% and have only owned a T42 for a week, it may be likely you have not discovered this setting.



As for XCoalMiner, this is may not be your issue given that you have a T41 which I think does not even have this battery health threshold feature?? (somebody verify this for me?) Also you have charged many times given that you owned this for 3 months, and you had issues even at 9%. Unless you set the charging threshold at 1% by mistake (if the T41 even has this feature), I definitely think something is up. Try unplugging and giving it a try, if the problem persists, first ask for a new battery, then if that doesn't solve it, a battery voltage terminal could be bent or damaged on your T41.

[misellu]

Oh I have checked out the Battery Maximiser program when I first encounter the problem. It's been always set to automatically recharge when the battery is below 96% and it has been working great ever since I got it until now.

The battery would always recharge quickly but there simply was no progress and was stuck at 54%. Even I plugged in the AC and checking to found out there is no activity within the battery (no signs of charging). I'm trying to use only the battery now and see the problem shows up again.

[XCoalMiner]

As for XCoalMiner, this is may not be your issue given that you have a T41 which I think does not even have this battery health threshold feature?? (somebody verify this for me?) Also you have charged many times given that you owned this for 3 months, and you had issues even at 9%. Unless you set the charging threshold at 1% by mistake (if the T41 even has this feature), I definitely think something is up. Try unplugging and giving it a try, if the problem persists, first ask for a new battery, then if that doesn't solve it, a battery voltage terminal could be bent or damaged on your T41.

Thanks FV. My T41 does not have a way to set the recharge threshold. There is a battery health feature, (left-click taksbar icon > Battery Information > Status Tab > click Battery Health, mine shows Green and says 'The battery is in good condition', interestingly cycle count = 49) but I'm now stuck at 30%. Running on battery now, it goes down real fast, like 1% every 60 seconds. Will shutdown and inspect terminals, etc. Then call in warranty if no resolution.

[marsters]

I have the battery not charging problem on my T41 - see my post here...

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... highlight=

I also could not find the "Improve battery health" button - looked all over. The Battery Health help does mention the feature but does say "some systems only".

I don't believe this feature is activating for me because 1) I don't seem to have it available and 2) whatever is going wrong goes wrong when the battery is very low.

[skanky]

I also could not find the "Improve battery health" button - looked all over. The Battery Health help does mention the feature but does say "some systems only".

i think this is only on T42(p) machines, i couldnt find that option on my T40, even with the latest battery maximizer installed.