Power / Charging Problem

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jsteele · #1 Post by **jsteele** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 4:54 pm

I just got home and powered up my T40 (2379-D5U). When I plugged in the charger I did not hear the customary 'beep' as it switched to AC mode. Same whn I unplugged it.

The Battery Maximizer icon shows that it is connected to AC even though it isn't and the battery charge indicator shows that it is discharging.

I've tried power off/power on cycles, removing/reinstalling the battery etc., to no avail. Is there any kind of 'reset' that I can do that will get it back to 'normal'.

erasmus · #2 Post by **erasmus** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 5:26 pm

Hi,
The same happaned to me this weekend. Don't know if its a Sp2/PM issue? But I finnally found out that if you let it run down the battery and remove it for some minutes then it should reset and start re-charge. You might have to disable the shut-off timers. At 1% mine still would not recharge, but disabling the shut of timers helped to get it totally drained.

jsteele · #3 Post by **jsteele** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 5:41 pm

A bit more on this ...

It is APPARENTLY not discharging while on AC. I say APPARENTLY because right now the change indicator is sitting at 80% but obviously it could be 'stuck' --- time will tell if it shuts down in a few hours

I measured the output of the charger and it is all over the place from a low of 10v to a high of 28v --- if I had to guess something went wrong with the charger and the overvoltage output damaged the charging circuit.

I have it running on another charger that is within output specs and its running but not charging.

jsmit86 · #4 Post by **jsmit86** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 5:48 pm

was this an IBM power supply?

jsteele · #5 Post by **jsteele** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 6:03 pm

Yep, genuine IBM

jsmit86 · #6 Post by **jsmit86** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 6:11 pm

jsteele wrote:Yep, genuine IBM

Wow - that sucks. I hope they take care of the damage.

jsteele · #7 Post by **jsteele** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 6:26 pm

Well its still in warranty so I doubt there will be a problem (maybe I can get my USB 2 problem fixed at the same time

The only problem is I will be going through Thinkpad withdrawl until I get it back ...

mier · #8 Post by **mier** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 10:14 am

I just wanted to add that I saw something very similar to this just now on my T40. I had the machine hooked to AC for a while (maybe an hour) and looked down and noticed that my battery gauge was still at 80%. Looked inside and there was 'no activity' in regards to charging or discharging (in battery maximizer).

Lots of variables here. I just recently upgraded to 3.08a BIOS and 3.03 controller versions. Also, I'm using 2 batteries, the main was fully charged the entire time, the battery in need of charging was the li-polymer ultrabay battery. Also, I'm not currently using the power brick that came with the T40, but one I got from work that's a bit more compact but has the same exact power specs (16V 4.5A). I'm using WinXP w/ SP2.

However, after removing the ultrabay battery and reinserting it after, say, 30 seconds or so, it started charging ok.

mier · #9 Post by **mier** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 8:06 am

Just thought I'd add another data point. I had this same thing (failure to charge) happen to me last night at home. At home, I've got the laptop on the power adapter it came with, otherwise everything else is the same.

Also, this time the ultrabay battery was completely dead and the main battery was at 90% (due to receive charge next). Oddly enough, removing the ultrabay battery and reinserting it got the main battery to start charging and it charged the main & the ultrabay successfully after that.

jsteele · #10 Post by **jsteele** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 11:22 am

An update on my 'power problem'...

Last Thursday (9/16) I shipped my T40 off the EasyServ for repairs. This Thursday (9/23) came around so I did a followup to see where things stood. According to the nice lady at the 800 number there had been a problem in transit and my T40 only just arrived at the depot that day (yesterday). They would be getting to it that day and would advise me where things stood.

Today (9/25) I was late to the office and the receptionist told me that there was a DHL package for me ---- my T40!

Anyway, according to the repair sheet they replaced the system board and updated the BIOS. The power problem seems to be corrected and I'm using it right now. Unfortunately the problem I reported with the 'dark area' on my LCD was not corrected however.

Also my USB 2.0 problem was not addressed as I had requested, but MAYBE that will be corrected by the system board replacement (I've seen one posting that indicated that this might be a system board also so we shall see tonight when I get home)

There was a note in the package that my AC adapter is defective --- which I sort of knew and I'm certain caused the systemboard problem to begin with. But they did not replace the adapter, apparently I have to call the Parts number and request a replacement. Strange that the depot can change the system board but can't replace the AC adapter.

They also say my battery is defective and that I should call to get that replaced as well although I have not had any problem with it.

Anyway I have my T40 back and my 600X can go back to sleep. Thinkpad withdrawl ended.

jsteele · #11 Post by **jsteele** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 5:28 pm

One final update on this...

The USB 2 problem 'appears' to be corrected by the system board replacement. i have tried my USB HDD several times now and it connects at USB 2 each time.

Power / Charging Problem

Power / Charging Problem

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