battery wont charge... options?

[Ursus]

I have a T60p with original battery running XP SP3. I use it in the docking station all day every day and hardly ever take it out. Last week I needed to take it with me on a trip, and prep for travel was to drain and recharge the battery. Battery died almost immediately when disconnected from dock, then started slow recharge for 2% ... 3% ... 4% ... then showed 100%. Disconnect and same pattern, rapid discharge then slow recharge up to about 4% then shows 100% and no more charging.

I thought the batteries on these were supposed to be smart?

What are my options? What should I do?

[Harryc]

You need a new battery.

[Ursus]

No way to force a discharge / recharge? What's the point of it being smart?

[Harryc]

No. The same question could be asked about a 'Smartie'. Tastes good, but nothing smart about it.

[giorgosvam]

Harryc: Nice comparison indeed!

Ursus: Whatever electronic circuitry is used to support and optimize the charging and discharging cycles of a battery, there are some physical and chemical constraints that cannot be overcome. Batteries age and loose their properties with time and/or use. There is a lot of information about them and their properties on the net if you're interested.

George

[Ursus]

I know about batteries, I thought the point of having a chip in it was to give better control over discharge and recharge. Little did I know that "smart" referred to calling a dumb battery "smart" so they could charge more for it and generate annoying messages if you dared to buy off-brand!