Problems with Replacement Battery from Lenovo?

[smap77]

Hoping someone can lend some advice here about the battery Lenovo sent me to replace the Sony model that is being recalled.

My old battery (6 cell) worked just fine. Nice amount of worktime but not amazing. They sent me a replacement that doesn't seem to charge, cannot power the thinkpad, and has some problems with identifying itself to the power manager utility.

Power manager says the battery has 30% remaining (as it has all afternoon, despite it being plugged into the AC Adapter and the adapter into the wall jack).
"The Battery is in good condition. 90W acadapter is attached"

Status: No Activity
Remaining percentage: 30%
Remaining capacity: 16.82 Wh
Full charge Capaity: 56.16 Wh
Current: 0.00A
Voltage 11.33 V
Temp: 18 C
Cycle count: 0
Manufacturer Name: Panasonic
Manufacture date: -
First used date: 2006-11
Serial Number: 0
Barcoding Number 1Z000000000
FRU Part Number: 92P1129
Device Chemistry: Li-Ion
Design Capacity: 56.16 Wh
Design Voltage: 10.80 V

This is a 2623-D8U T60p with Bios 1.04.

If I have the battery installed and I unplug the ac adapter, the thinkpad immediately turns off, suggesting that the battery actually has no charge at all.

So... Is this battery a lemon? Do I need to perform some kind of voodoo to make it work?

[smap77]

Anyone ever see something like this? Is this just uninitialized NVRAM on the battery which gives bunk identity information? Need I get chicken bones to wave over it with incantations?

[RonS]

It sounds like you got a bad battery. You should be able to just plug it in and away you go... no configuration necessary... at least that's how it's gone with my systems.

You should call Lenovo and get them to replace your replacement.

[smap77]

Follow-up: IBM Customer support ("In Atlanta, Georgia" they proclaim) sent me the 9-cell battery (92P1131) as a replacement for the 6-cell (92P1139) it was supposed to be replacing. Uncool. Very Uncool.

Tally: 24 minutes on the phone talking with 4 different people and I've got a replacement on backorder...

[steveg47]

I've got a replacement on backorder...

Backorder, hmmmm, that would explain why the 9 cell is currently cheaper then the 6 cell. I was wondering about that. (until now ) Another of lifes little mysteries revealed.

[laundromatt]

backorder?

i don't know, i got a replacement from ibm/lenovo for my 6-cell without any problems just the other day. i'd consider myself lucky if they sent me a 9-cell as a replacement for a 6-cell.

[smap77]

Funny, that's what the guy in Atlanta said as well... I think the 9-cell is far too large for the added life it gives. I carry one as the spare, but leave the nice, compact, fit-within-the-outline 6-cell in place most of the time. [Sigh] I'm still waiting for the backorder king to grant my wish...