very serious problem w/ hard drive & battery

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ThinkPad R · #1 Post by **ThinkPad R** » Fri May 11, 2007 4:09 pm

Hi everyone. This time, it's my turn to ask for your help.

Here's the problem.

When the battery reaches around 65% & is being charged, the hard drive (I'm sure) makes this weird, wheezing noise (like an electric motor that is having a problem with its internal plastic gears) & the battery does not charge nor does not discharge (at least according to the meter).

However, over time, the battery % goes down.... all the way to 0%

In my life, I've never seen a laptop have 0%. Now I know it's possible.

When it goes slightly below 65%, it does not recharge back to 65%. Or at least, maybe it's my illusion that 65% is the maximum.

When I charge my computer at school, it has no problem.

Sometimes, when I turn off everything in my room, etc., the battery has no problem charging. Does this have something to do w/ my hard drive? AC adapter?

By the way, my AC adapter is heavily damaged on the metal cylinder protruding out of the head (there's a curved rip) & some of the plastic holdings inside the cylinder are broken/collapsed.

Also, if I tilt my AC adapter's head at certain angle while it is inserted into the power plug, it does not make the noise again. However, the battery does not charge either. Thanks.

#2 Post by **ryengineer** » Fri May 11, 2007 5:06 pm

ThinkPad R wrote:When I charge my computer at school, it has no problem.

Check the rate at which the household electricity is being supplied at your place. It should remain between 114 and 126 V.

By the way, my AC adapter is heavily damaged on the metal cylinder protruding out of the head (there's a curved rip) & some of the plastic holdings inside the cylinder are broken/collapsed.

I highly suspect your AC adapter is infact the actual cause of this problem. I suggest you should buy a new one.

ThinkPad R · #3 Post by **ThinkPad R** » Sat May 12, 2007 8:01 pm

I suspected both also. Thanks for replying.

One question. Why should the hard drive be the one making all the noise?

#4 Post by **ryengineer** » Sun May 13, 2007 3:32 am

Perhaps for not getting adequate power, it has developed some kind of problem. Buy a new AC adapter and if in case the hdd continues to make that noise then here is what you should do:

Create an image of your hdd or backup all your important data on another drive. Then check your disk for errors (My Computer>Right Click>Properties>Tools>Check Now) and run Defragment tool (My Computer>Right Click>Properties>Tools>Defragment Now).

If one of the procedures fail to perform then you have a bad hdd or will be soon. Also make a note if the hdd keeps on making that noise during these procedures.

Here is some more info regarding hdd making noises and few suggestions if in case you plan on buying a new one:

It is never a good sign when hard disks start to make notice. It means that your drive is starting to fail. Although there are variations, most drives are completely silent when they're running.

The tipoff is either a new noise are an intermittent noise. If the drive has always made a slight clicking noise when accessing data, that's probably nothing to worry about. If it just started clicking, or if it only clicks occasionally, this means something has changed. Change in a hard drive is a Bad Thing.

Grinding or squealing noise is definitely a bad sign and usually means the drive is on its last legs.

There are two ways to protect yourself against a failing drive; the first is to create a backup image of the disk and the other is to move all everything from the failing disk to a replacement drive. Also, make sure you have an up-to-date rescue disk so you can boot your computer even with a failed primary hard drive (the one with the operating system on it.)

Creating an image won't stop the disk from failing, but it will give you a starting point from a known, good configuration if the disk fails. Cloning the disk to a new drive not only moves everything off the damaged drive, but it moves it in total so that you can start working on the new drive immediately.

If you suspect a drive is going flaky, it is relatively easy to cone your disk. Please see Drive to drive: Bring in the Clones for step-by-step instructions on duplicating your disk.

Using your image file, you can also deploy a new drive by restoring that image onto the new drive. Acronis True Image provides necessary tools to create and deploy a new drive.

The good news about discovering a potential hard drive failure today is that hard drives are inexpensive these days and installing a new one is easy. Many retailers and Web sites sell high-capacity hard drives — up to 200 Gb — for $100 or less. If your drive shows signs of failing, replace it immediately — your data is far more important than the price of the disk drive.

Last but not the least, how old is your hdd? Does the hdd make noise in your school too?

ThinkPad R · #5 Post by **ThinkPad R** » Sun May 13, 2007 4:42 pm

Computer itself is 3 years old.

Yes, it makes the exactly the same sound you described.

Here's another thing. Even when the computer's turned off,

when not placed right the power cord causes the HDD to make the sound.

IsHDD supposed to be like that or could it be something else then?

I bought another AC adapter. Maybe it will arrive in 1 week. Yeah, I can hope for the best now.

Atschool, I don't recall my computer making such sound. I'm guessing that I'm too busy to notice ... or actually I almost neverrecharge at school.

#6 Post by **ryengineer** » Sun May 13, 2007 6:24 pm

No, I don't think hdd is supposed to act like that.

Also, I was about to say "Thinkvantage Active Protection System" (shock detection, which provides airbag-like protection for your hard drive) could be the reason your hdd making that noise while it's powered off but the chances are very slim as your R40 does not support it.

So far I believed it's just the AC adapter but I think perhaps your hdd is dying too. But I won't be certain to say that unless you run the above procedures once your AC adapter arrives.

ThinkPad R · #7 Post by **ThinkPad R** » Sat May 26, 2007 9:33 am

Ok. I got the new ac adapter.

Here's the thing. It's not manufactured by IBM, but it still shares some features with IBM's AC adapter. Probably for licensed-manufacturing for 3rd world countries.

For example, it has the tilted rectangle for the "IBM" tricolor signs, but the space is empty. It has the striped surface for better grip.

But, the connector for the ac adapter to the ac outlet is 3-thronged, and so is the ac outlet itself.

The new ac adapter is slightly bigger than IBM's, although at the same time it feels slightly lighter. And I even noticed the color difference of the metal of the power plug for the computer.

A minor disappointment (before the major) is that the length of the cord between the adapter and the computer is about half that of IBM's---> bad design.

Now, the major disappointment is that the battery still won't charge. I did it upstairs, downstairs... is it really the house that's not having enough electricity or what? Still 0% while battery's green.

Nonetheless, the new ac adapter caused less of a hard drive squeak than the old one.

Actually, the old one makes the hard drive continually squeak unless you tilt it at a certain angle... the new one can be left alone plugged and (HDD will squeak at the beginning, slightly) HDD won't squeak anymore.

Is it that the new AC adapter is not compatible with mine (although the seller claimed that it's for R40)? Should I try for refund and get another one?

#8 Post by **ryengineer** » Sat May 26, 2007 4:58 pm

ThinkPad R wrote:Here's the thing. It's not manufactured by IBM, but it still shares some features with IBM's AC adapter. Probably for licensed-manufacturing for 3rd world countries.

It's not original (as you quoted too) is third part made but still will work.

Now, the major disappointment is that the battery still won't charge. I did it upstairs, downstairs... is it really the house that's not having enough electricity or what? Still 0% while battery's green.

Can you charge the battery with the new adapter at some another place like your school? If so then your place has electricity problems as I previously mentioned too, if not, then battery needs to be replaced too imo.

Nonetheless, the new ac adapter caused less of a hard drive squeak than the old one.

That's a good news.

Is it that the new AC adapter is not compatible with mine (although the seller claimed that it's for R40)? Should I try for refund and get another one?

If you're not happy overall with what you received then you can refund it, if it's possible and take a look at this.

ElbertR · #9 Post by **ElbertR** » Sat May 26, 2007 10:15 pm

How old is your battery? Most laptop batteries will last about a year with normal use.

A battery is a 'consumable' that should be replaced at certain intervals.

Have a hard time believing that a noisy harddrive can be caused by a faulty adapter.

Can you still here the noise when you have the adapter plugged in with the computer shut down?

In that case it is not the harddrive but the charging circuit on your system board that is going bad. This is definately the case if you get a new battery and it also won't charge.

ThinkPad R · #10 Post by **ThinkPad R** » Sun May 27, 2007 10:53 pm

The battery is 3.5 years & so is the computer. When the battery does get charged, it retains about 3 hours of battery life, so I don't think the battery's at fault.

I was guessing that maybe the damaged ac adapter (crushed at the metal point) caused internal circuits to go wrong & make the computer require more powerful current to get charged.

Yes, sometimes it makes the sound even when shut down.

I haven't tried charging somewhere else yet, the problem is that I've gone to ebay & chose an ac adapter with an agreeable pic... just like that one

but it was 3rd party-made. Yeah, I'll try to get it refunded. Thanks.

ElbertR · #11 Post by **ElbertR** » Sun May 27, 2007 11:13 pm

ThinkPad R wrote:The battery is 3.5 years & so is the computer. When the battery does get charged, it retains about 3 hours of battery life, so I don't think the battery's at fault.

I was guessing that maybe the damaged ac adapter (crushed at the metal point) caused internal circuits to go wrong & make the computer require more powerful current to get charged.

Yes, sometimes it makes the sound even when shut down.

I haven't tried charging somewhere else yet, the problem is that I've gone to ebay & chose an ac adapter with an agreeable pic... just like that one

but it was 3rd party-made. Yeah, I'll try to get it refunded. Thanks.

3 hours of battery life with a full load or in standby? Even a new battery hardly lasts 2 hours with a full load.

If you have the 'Thinkpad Configuration Utility' and the
'Battery MaxiMiser and Power Management Features package' installed you can check out a lot more details on your battery (such as the actual charge it is still holding). The 'Battery Health' function will tell you if the battery needs to be replaced.

When looking for a replacement adapter (or any other part) find one with the same FRU part number ('Field Replacement Unit') as the orignal.

#12 Post by **ryengineer** » Mon May 28, 2007 12:05 am

ElbertR wrote:3.5 hours of battery life with a full load or in standby? Even a new battery hardly lasts 2 hours with a full load.

I think he said about 3 hrs. and not 3.5 hrs. I am not surprised as my X31's 3 yrs. old battery still holds exactly 2:50 mins. of charge.

ElbertR · #13 Post by **ElbertR** » Mon May 28, 2007 12:33 am

ryengineer wrote:I think he said about 3 hrs. and not 3.5 hrs. I am not surprised as my X31's 3 yrs. old battery still holds exactly 2:50 mins. of charge.

I corrected my post. I don't now about the R or X series, but 3 hours is still a lot for an A31 battery. These machines use a lot of juice. With a full load on the battery you are lucky if you can get 2 hours on a fresh battery. That is why I carry an extra battery and an ultrabay battery.

#14 Post by **ryengineer** » Mon May 28, 2007 12:59 am

ElbertR wrote:I corrected my post. I don't now about the R or X series, but 3 hours is still a lot for an A31 battery.

The original poster has a R40 machine and not A31. I have owned A31p and it never held any more than 1.5 hrs on the battery. However R40 is a totally different machine than A31 and can do what the poster is describing.

ElbertR · #15 Post by **ElbertR** » Mon May 28, 2007 1:11 am

ryengineer wrote:
ElbertR wrote:I corrected my post. I don't now about the R or X series, but 3 hours is still a lot for an A31 battery.
The original poster has a R40 machine and not A31. I have owned A31p and it never held any more than 1.5 hrs on the battery. However R40 is a totally different machine than A31 and can do what the poster is describing.

I know he has an R series, that's why I wrote that line. 3 hours is still a lot for a 3.5 year old battery for any laptop and I have seen a lot!

To back to the issue at hand, he should try a new ac adapter.

Also try and see if the noise is still there when you have the laptop hooked up without the battery present.

#16 Post by **ryengineer** » Mon May 28, 2007 3:00 pm

A31p:

-The battery pack is an internal power source to the computer when the ac adapter is not available. The battery pack is rechargeable and is charged using the ac adapter with the system.
-A six-cell Li-Ion battery pack is shipped with the system. This same battery is also available as an optional feature for the A31 so that you can order a spare battery which works only in Ultrabay 2000.
-Output voltage: 10.8V.
-Charging current: 2.8A maximum (system on or off.
-Approximate operation and charging hours are:
-Battery operation 2.0 to 2.5hr (*1) depending on model.
-Power off/suspend charging (*2) 2.6 hr.
-Charging during operation (*2) 3.5 to 6.0 hr.

Results obtained using eTesting Labs Inc's BatteryMark (TM) Version 4.0.1. Battery life will vary based on many factors including screen brightness, applications, features, power management, battery conditioning, and other customer preferences.
Note: (*1) BatteryMark (TM) is a trademark of Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc., an affiliate of eTesting Labs Inc., in the U.S. and other countries. (*2) Recharge time will also vary
Battery overview document. See this

.

R40:

-The battery pack is an internal power source to the computer when the ac adapter is not available. The battery pack is rechargeable and is charged using the ac adapter with the system.
-You can determine how much battery power remains by using the fuel- gauge ThinkPad utility program, which displays the percent charge remaining.
-A different Li-Ion battery pack fitsinto the Ultrabay Plus sothat two batteries can beinstalled to increase battery operating time.
-An eight-cell Li-Ion battery pack is shipped with the system.
-Li-Ion battery pack: 10.8V, 4.0AH
-Approximate operation and charging hours are:
-Power off/suspend charging (*1): 3hr
-Charging during operation (*1)(*2): 3.5hr
-Battery operation (*2):

System Configuration LCD size
13.1 14.1 15.0
Pentium 4 and Celeron models Li-Ion with out wireless 4.0hr 4.0hr 3.6hr
Li-Ion with wireless 3.8hr 3.8hr 3.4hr
Pentium M models Intel Centrino models (XGA) NA 6.1hr 6.1hr
Intel Centrino models (SXGA+) NA NA 5.0hr
ThinkPad 11 a/b Wireless models NA 6.2hr 6.2hr
Non-Wireless models (XGA) NA 6.2hr 6.2hr
Non-Wireless models (SXGA+) NA NA 5.7hr

Notes:

(*1) Recharge time also varies.
(*2) These model numbers achieved eTesting Labs, Inc.'s BatteryMark 4.0.1 Battery Rundown Time of the times shown above. A description of the environment under which the test was per- formed is available at: www.ibm.com/pc/ww/thinkpad/batterylife.html
Also See this.

The original posters machine/model/type (ThinkPad R40 2897-B4U) would hold about 6.2hr of charge with a new battery according to lenovo's spec, under their specified environment ofcourse.

ThinkPad R · #17 Post by **ThinkPad R** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 11:39 pm

Yes. R40 has about 6 hours at new full charge under normal usage - if you turn off wireless & maintain medium brightness (which is very dim to begin with).

I've concluded that there are 2 scenarios.

1) Circuit problem and/or problem w/ battery. Only thing I can remember is that I left my computer in the car. It was pretty warm when I got back to it. Actually, the problem with charging exacerbated gradually. Sometimes battery would charge and sometimes it wouldn't. Now, it almost never does.

2) Malware. I've already met several malwares (undetectable, but I can see) that break audio functions (makes buzzing sound, can be fixed by re-installing audio driver) for my thinkpad, Access IBM program, wireless, etc.

I'll see if #2 is the case by factory installing my computer.

The reason why I suspect #2 the most is that Battery Information shows that the battery is green.

PC Doctor 5 test concluded that battery is able to charge/discharge.

And, I am using this computer downstairs - where our house also holds a desktop computer. I'm going to assume that our Dell would consume, if not less, just as much or more energy than my laptop. Thanks.
:UPDATE: No. Reinstalling the computer to factory state didn't do anything. So... I'm doomed! ahhh

very serious problem w/ hard drive & battery

very serious problem w/ hard drive & battery

Re: very serious problem w/ hard drive & battery

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