Major Battery Problem

[natasha]

ThinkPad Z60t 2511-E7U

Description: P M 760(2GHz), 2 GB RAM, 100GB 5400rpm HD, 14in 1280x768 LCD, Intel 900, CDRW/DVDRW, 802.11abg wireless, WWAN, Bluetooth/Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, IEEE 1394, Fingerprint reader, 7c Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro
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So I don't use battery that often ... actually I use it very rarely. However, about a week ago I've noticed that it's stuck at 90% charge. So I tried powering it of the battery -- no go, nothing. Updated all drivers, BIOS, controller, etc. No change at all. So I figured out the battery is dead and I purchased new one that arrived yesterday.

Cool .. the new battery is charging fine ... final test, trying to run ThinkPad on battery power -- huge disappointment, nothing again. No sign of life at all. When I power it up, there is a barely audible sound coming from the area where the battery is located and if I leave it in that state it will loose some charge in a few hours. when I connect power adapter, the battery will charge back to 100%.

It's a mistery to me. I tried everything that Lenovo suggest on their support site ... about

The surge protector in the battery might be active. Turn off the computer for one minute to reset the surge protector; then turn on the computer again.

and other stuff related to the battery/power management problems.

Let me say that, this Z60t is running as a champ and everything else is functioning as it should.

So a few questions:
1. anybody knows how to make this battery thing work?

2. if not ... is there any manual reset (like a button or similar) for the surge protector in the battery?

3. I'm starting to suspect that maybe a part on the motherboard that sends battery power to the rest of the computer may be dead or damaged ... how likely is that since I don't have any other performance or functionality problems with this ThinkPad when power adapter is used?

4. The Power Manager seems to suggest that everything is OK and condition "good". Also, Microsoft utility reports the battery to be online. However, I've noticed in the Power Manager Battery Info that it reports CURRENT: 0.00 A, while everything else looks OK (Voltage 12.44 V, Temperature 27 C, Cycle Count 1, Design Capacity 65.52 Wh, etc). Could this 0.00 A be a clue?

Both the original and the new battery are SANYO Li-Ion FRU Part number 92P1125.

The system is under warranty, so I have some time to deal with this, but would hate to be without this computer for a week or so if I need to send it to Lenovo service.

Any ideas?

[medevilenemy]

check your battery manager settings. To test to see if the battery actually works or not set the battery to begin charging at 50% and stop at 100% (not good for the battery, but it will see if the charging circuit is functional and if the battery can hold the charge). Let the battery charge for a few hours. Then try to run the notebook on battery power only.

Chances are, if this doesnt work (that is, if the notebook will not power itself off battery power only after the charging cycle) it is probably dead.

[natasha]

check your battery manager settings. To test to see if the battery actually works or not set the battery to begin charging at 50% and stop at 100% (not good for the battery, but it will see if the charging circuit is functional and if the battery can hold the charge). Let the battery charge for a few hours. Then try to run the notebook on battery power only.

Chances are, if this doesnt work (that is, if the notebook will not power itself off battery power only after the charging cycle) it is probably dead.

Thanx for your response. The new battery is definitively charging and holding the charge. Communication between the chip in the battery and ThinkPad is also working and reporting correctly. Since my last post I've also ran all the diagnostics test including the battery and no problems reported at all. Also, I restored the system to the factory settings yesterday, and no change. Reverted to the original BIOS and controller and still no change.

I thought that this may be the issue of overcharged capacitors aas reported with some other ThinkPad models, so I dit try to discharge capacitors by removing the batteryand mains and holding down the power button for 2 minutes ... and similar excercises just stopping short of voodoo .. lol.

I'm really puzzled since everything else is working perfectly fine .. no freezes or random crashes, system is fast, and all features work. But still cannot start or run this laptop on the battery power. when I press power button and try to run it on the battery , nothing happens at all ... actually something does happen -- it seems that computer is trying to start up but never gets into BIOS or anything else. At that point if I connect power adapter, the computer starts booting right away (I don't need to press power-on button). So it seems, that the power state is on even tho there is no boot up sequence happening or any system sounds that would indicate any problems.

I'm getting the third battery (and an additional power supply/adapter tomorrow), just in case that I'm so unlucky to end up with 2 new defective batteries. So we'll see tomorrow and I'll let you know how it goes.

[medevilenemy]

dont bother with a third battery, the problem is obviously with the power system itself. If the batteries are holding their charge, and charging when they are supposed to, the problem is most likely with the circuit that supplies power from the batteries. It is buried deep within the internals of the thinkpad itself, so dont try digging around to find it.

My suggestion: just call tech support and get a replacement thinkpad. And start using that voodoo you were talking about.

[natasha]

Tested again with another brand new battery -- no go. Called IBM/Lenovo support and they think that it's the mainboard problem. They are sending a box for shippment to their depot.

Otherwise, calling their support was surprisingly pleasant -- almost no wait once you listen carefully to the automated options. Talked with their support in Atlanta, Georgia.

For you who are interested how to discharge an overcharged capacitor on Z60 -- disconnect power, take out battery, press the power button 10 times quickly (1/sec) and then hold it pressed for 30 seconds (that's according to the IBM/Lenovo tech support guy).

Otherwise, the documented problems in regards to a good battery not powering Z60 is related to the Intel Dual-Frequency Graphics Technology -- the option needs to be unchecked.

And now, waiting time (3-7 days) . Let you know when it comes back.

[medevilenemy]

As i said, the problem is probably with the power system in the thinkpad itself. Good luck on the repair/replace. Hopefully they will be able to fix the problem.

On another note, what are you going to do with those two extra batteries?

[natasha]

Well ... my pleasant experience with IBM/Lenovo support continues.

- 05/23/2006 noon - called Lenovo support
- 05/23/2006 1:27 PM - prepaid box shipped to me (DHL)
- 05/24/2006 10:00 AM - received box
- 05/24/2006 2:55 PM - shipped computer (DHL home pick up)
- 05/25/2006 8:50 AM - computer being repaired
- 05/26/2006 8:20 AM - computer repaired and shipped back to me
- 3 day weeked (Sat, Sun, Memorial Day)
- 05/30/2006 9:30 AM - received computer (DHL)

I mean this is great and if my timing was better to avoid the weekend and one day holiday I'd have computer back in 3 days.

Besides the speedy repairs, other positives are:
- the problem was fixed by replacing the motherboard -- works great now;
- no scratches/dirt on screen or body (it seems like very carefully handled)
- there is a neat personal touch when your computer comes back it includes a letter with info on who was the repair tech, whom to call if there is any problems about the work done
- what was replaced/fixed (hardware) -- in my case, the "planar card (mobo)"
- what was updated -- in my case BIOS/embeded controller
- info on how to handle encryption and and whom to call
- and if Certificate of Authenticity is new due to computer base change

I'm not sure if my positive experience is the standard, but it should be. My computer was repaired in Solectron facilities in Memphis, TN; support call handled by Lenovo in Atlanta, GA.