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Strange Battery Behavior

Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 5:47 pm
by rgrthat
Hello All,

I have had a T61 widescreen (6465CTO) since January 08'. I use the laptop while plugged in most of the time. I also put the laptop in Standby mode overnight or when I am not using it. I unplug the laptop while it is in Standby mode. Usually the laptop will only use up 10% of the battery overnight while in Standby. I am using the standard 6-cell battery.

Recently, the battery has been losing a 100% of its charge overnight, and sometimes when I am using it and the power dips below 80%, the laptop will go into hibernate unexpectedly claiming I am out of battery power. I realize it's been almost 3 years, and I could probably use a new battery, but I thought could get by without spending $150 for a while.

However, I was on vacation last week and I shut down the laptop before I left. When I came home and plugged it into the wall, the battery light changed to orange for 3 seconds, and then the plug-light and battery light both turned green as if the laptop was charging. The problem is: The laptop no longer turns on. Even with the battery out of the laptop, it will no longer start up when I press the power button.

Has anyone experienced anything like this? I have no problem buying a new battery, but I can't even be sure IT IS the battery since the laptop won't power on. I only bought a 1-yr warranty, so I can't really contact lenovo for support without getting charged (per their website). I appreciate any ideas or suggestions people have.

Re: Strange Battery Behavior

Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 6:11 pm
by Harryc
With the battery out and the power plug removed, do the following; Hit the power button 10 times for a second, then one more time for 30 seconds. Plug the power back in and try to start it.

Re: Strange Battery Behavior

Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 7:43 pm
by rgrthat
I tried what you said: Took out batt and plug, pressed power 10 times for 1 second, and once for 30 seconds. I then tried to power it back on with it plugged in and it still didn't work. I left the battery out after I plugged it in.

Even with the battery out, it exhibited the same behavior: battery light was orange for a few seconds, and disappeared, and then the green plug light appeared.

Re: Strange Battery Behavior

Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 4:34 am
by Harryc
Remove the memory. Does it beep when powered on?
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 63769.html

Re: Strange Battery Behavior

Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 8:15 am
by crashnburn
Harryc wrote:With the battery out and the power plug removed, do the following; Hit the power button 10 times for a second, then one more time for 30 seconds. Plug the power back in and try to start it.
My T61 had gone blank and wouldnt power up at all.

I once used this thing on someones suggestion and it worked.

Apparently it releases some kind of static energy.

Re: Strange Battery Behavior

Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 11:20 am
by rgrthat
Harryc wrote:Remove the memory. Does it beep when powered on?
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 63769.html
I took out the RAM and tried to boot it up. Same behavior.

When I plug it in, the battery light turns orange breifly, and then turns off. The plug light is illuminated, but the power button does nothing. I didn't even have the battery IN IT when I tried to turn it on.

Re: Strange Battery Behavior

Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 12:18 pm
by Harryc
IT IS a bad systemboard ...and you'll be needing a new battery as well.

Re: Strange Battery Behavior

Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 1:05 pm
by rgrthat
Harryc wrote:IT IS a bad systemboard ...and you'll be needing a new battery as well.
Computer is almost 3 years old. I am already on the second battery.

A new one (6-cell) is $150 and a new board on top of it. I will probably just get a new laptop.

Re: Strange Battery Behavior

Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 1:30 pm
by rgrthat
Is there an easy way to take out the HDD?

Re: Strange Battery Behavior

Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 1:49 pm
by Harryc

Re: Strange Battery Behavior

Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 1:55 pm
by rgrthat
Thanks. Removing data via Magic Bridge now.