Problem with second battery with New Embedded Controller....

Message

stingbandel · #1 Post by **stingbandel** » Wed Oct 27, 2004 1:54 pm

Hi,

IBM have just released the newer version of their embedded controller, 1.03. I thought it would be able to solve the problem with the second battery on ultrabay not charging, but it didn't.

Is it me or other people have the same problem?

Do I have to use the 1.01 only to get it to work?

I am in Asia so there is no way for me to call the customer support in the US.

If people who live in the US and have the same problem, maybe they can call the CS and ask why IBM release the newer embedded controller but not able to fix the battery issue.

thanks

friedrich-eugen · #2 Post by **friedrich-eugen** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 6:02 pm

Hello stingbandel,

I'll try once more, tomorrow from my office, to get IBm looking into that affair. Up to now, I'm no more sure, as to the ways getting the nb to use the second battery...

stingbandel · #3 Post by **stingbandel** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 8:42 pm

I have no clue why yours kepping getting problem. Did you try to use the method that I told you? Are you using the 1.01 controller version? If I am not mistaken, you use win 2k. can you try using win xp?

I think there is a way to solve your problem but we just haven't found it.

let me know the progress

friedrich-eugen · #4 Post by **friedrich-eugen** » Mon Nov 01, 2004 6:10 am

Hello Stingbandel,

I have contacted IBM-Support once again.

Both TP A31P notebooks (N-Type and G-Type (2653-R5G & H6G)) exhibit under both operating systems (XP and W2K) after updating both bios and controller to the latest versions the same behavior:

They do not recognize the second battery properly, battery maximizer reports error and the machines produce a flashing (brown) lead...

IBM-software is of latest version, the (important) system-tools are aproximately the same and latest, Norton Systemworks and Zonealarm are latest version on both notebooks. Workload-software is cared for and patched to the latest .

I do think, that IBM in correcting "microcode"-flaws just missed some battery or apm or pci TP-Board-specific bugs/flaws/problems ...

If anyone else is experiencing the same, please contact IBM and let them (and us here) know, so they and/or we migth learn ...

C.Schlehaus · #5 Post by **C.Schlehaus** » Mon Nov 01, 2004 3:03 pm

Hi,
I just updated my embedded controller and the BIOS as well and now I have some strange problem with the second battery. When I bought my A31p, it came with a second battery, which is still working fine (it's used, discharged and charged as well). Using another battery I bought some month ago on ebay from battery.co.uk now failed (while I think this one failed earlier too sometimes) by being not recognized and not charged.
I do not know, whether it's a new or refurbished one and whether this is the problem. but with the "IBM original" installed my A31p with newest codes installed is fine...

CU, Carlhermann

friedrich-eugen · #6 Post by **friedrich-eugen** » Mon Nov 01, 2004 6:44 pm

Good morning CarlHermann,
Good morning Stingbandel.

IBM wrote today:

Dear Friedrich,

It has been determined that your hardware may be faulty. Please contact the IBM HelpCenter or an authorized IBM servicer.

In order to facilitate the repair of your system by an authorized IBM servicer, we recommend that you have your Proof of Purchase with you to show the servicer. Proof of Purchase helps the servicer establish your hardware warranty. By showing your Proof of Purchase it will help reduce delay in getting your system serviced.

I do not believe that this should be called a careful inquiry in that matter or anything like useful support...

the facts: a 2653-r5g-(N-Bios) unit did recognize (XP) the second battery, but does so no more after updating bios and controller to the latest version.

a 2653-h6g (G-Bios) unit, about half a year older but about the same technology, did not recognize the battery (W2K) before and after updating bios and controller.

If it were a hardware-related problem, why did it work before (compensating bugs of hardware and software?) ??
Why do both versions of the notebook exhibit - now - the same mistake??

I'll try to call IBM-Germany tomorrow, but I don't believe "a word"...

stingbandel · #7 Post by **stingbandel** » Mon Nov 01, 2004 8:42 pm

I don't think it's a hardware faulty either.

If they replace it, they will most likely replace the same motherboard.

I don't think they have a newer board as they discontinue the a31p product line off their market.

It's most likely the problem with the embedded controller.

I don't have any problem with 1.01 embedded controller. I also don't have any problem with the latest bios. Just the embedded controller only.

I think they release the software without checking bugs first.

ramcelroy · #8 Post by **ramcelroy** » Mon Nov 01, 2004 10:08 pm

Same problems as described above A31p 2653-R6U with XP SP2

C.Schlehaus · #9 Post by **C.Schlehaus** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:26 pm

Hi,
I just tried to re-charge my two Ultrabay Accus using the external two battery charger (02K6718), as this should not be affected by any change to the embedded controller update. Both batteries showing the problem not to be recognized at all in the A31p do also not charge in the external charger or are perhaps charged but not recognized in the Ultrabay...

Carlhermann

gregpilot · #10 Post by **gregpilot** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 1:52 am

I just "upgraded" to the new embedded controller 1.03 (1NHT06WW) and BIOS 1.07 (1NET13WW).

Am running A31p, (2653R9U) with a second ultrabay battery installed in the left bay. CD-DVD combo in RH bay. No battery problems before the update. WinXP SP1, 1gb.

I ran the updates to fix an intermittent resume from standby issue. I should have read this forum first.

Selcting BIOS defaults, and saving has no effect. If I insert the second battery with XP booted I get the system to recognize the device, however the charge light will begin to flash yellow. Of course, the IBM thinkpad config utility reports "ERROR" in the field for battery 2.

I have heard rumors attempts to downgrade with the non-floppy based program will fail....but we all know the a31p has no floppy. What about booting and running the (floppy) util from the CD? Or is there a command line to force a downgrade on the controller?

My machine is still under warranty...I have a second level support phone number which is old (the person no longer works for IBM) but I thought I would try a few extensions in the "blind" as the first level people (I spoke with two on Friday) are useless. Sorry, for the insult, IBM. But in my case it was true.

stingbandel · #11 Post by **stingbandel** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 6:03 pm

you can always downgrade it by downloading the 1.01 version.

I always be able to downgrade when there's something wrong with the controller.

gregpilot · #12 Post by **gregpilot** » Fri Nov 19, 2004 10:42 am

Well I found the 1.01 version and sure enough, the flash from OS version (no floppy) *will* allow downgrading to an earlier version.

The second battery is recognized fine now. I am convinced this is a bug in the firmware of the 1.06 version. My A31p uses the "N" bios.

friedrich-eugen · #13 Post by **friedrich-eugen** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 4:46 am

Hello Stingbandel and Hello gregpilot,

I did try the latest versions of Bios (18/11) and controller(15/11): nope

IBM just wrote:

Dear Friedrich,
Please follow the link below and contact nearest IBM technical support in your country http://www.pc.ibm.com/qtechinfo/YAST-3P2QYL.html
Regards
...
IBM Personal Computing Division
http://www.ibm.com/pc/support

The link leads to telephone-number-finder, depending on type and place.

Could anyone let me have Version 1.01 of the embeded controller for both types of 2653- N-Type and G-Type ?!

Thanks in advance

Zeitgeist · #14 Post by **Zeitgeist** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 6:47 am

friedrich-eugen wrote: Could anyone let me have Version 1.01 of the embeded controller for both types of 2653- N-Type and G-Type ?!

Thanks in advance

www.tpdrivers.com -> A31 -> bios

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-45771

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-45662

Scroll down.

friedrich-eugen · #15 Post by **friedrich-eugen** » Thu Nov 25, 2004 6:18 am

Hallo Zeitgeist,

Try it, You'll arrive at Version 1.03

...

stingbandel · #16 Post by **stingbandel** » Thu Nov 25, 2004 6:40 am

give me your email and I will send you the version.

I will have my machine replaced by IBM in Indonesia. They claim there's a new board that has different version.

I haven't received any calls from them. They will replace my board probably next week or so.

I will update to you guys what will happen later on.

mean while, fried, send me your email address and I will send you one

Zeitgeist · #17 Post by **Zeitgeist** » Thu Nov 25, 2004 12:03 pm

friedrich-eugen wrote:Hallo Zeitgeist,

Try it, You'll arrive at Version 1.03

...

Really? I get the file "embu 1g14.exe" when I click on embedded controller 1.01 and "1ghj04us.exe" when I click on 1.03.

Of course I don´t want to download and install the old version since the new version works perfectly with my A31P (but I don´t have a 2nd battery).

friedrich-eugen · #18 Post by **friedrich-eugen** » Thu Nov 25, 2004 6:49 pm

Hello Zeitgeist,

tbut that is my problem, the TP has to run during business trips, and that means hours without ac.

Hello Stingbandel, I'll send You a private note, thank You. I used to keep older versions on my external support drive, but for some stupid reason I did not do so of the older controller Versions.

Dear IBM,

I do not guite understand how You can come to think that such a reply is of any help, whatsoever....? I do repeat my service-request once again:

"Dear IBM-Support,

I.the warranty-status of both machines is out of question: (...)

II. Your answer is not adequate:

As described in my mail, both machines (differing in Bios (G and N) and differing in age behave very similar now, after updateing to the latest bioses and controller-software.

Before, they did exhibit different behavior (probably as the bios-update-status did differ):
My Windows 2000(DE) machine did not recognize a second battery in the left ultrabay-slot, the Windows XP(EN/GE) machine did recognize and use the second battery.

Now, as You might see from threads at Bill Morrow's thinkpads.com, this is not (!) a singular event, but seems to happen more often. Some user do believe, that while debugging prior bios- and/or controller-versions, a new bug did emerge.

As You surely do "repair" bioses and/or controller code on a international basis and You surely have the capacity to look into that special process, I (and some more IBM-users) would be very happy to hear from You...."

Let me add, that even the latest version (Bios/controller) did not solve this problem.

As that problem is primarily a system-software related problem, not (!) a hardware related one (Since the 2nd battery problem did emerge after a bios- and controller-update), it does make sense, IBM-system-engineers go and solve the problem rather than sending in a laptop and exchanging hardware without getting rid of the bug.

Lets wait and see

Zeitgeist · #19 Post by **Zeitgeist** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 6:30 am

IBM listened to you:

http://www-306.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-45662

"Version 1.04 - 1NHT07WW

(Fix) Charge stops on some ultra bay batteries"

friedrich-eugen · #20 Post by **friedrich-eugen** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 2:25 pm

Hallo Zeitgeist,

I saw IBM posting the patched controller, Friday I think, but I did not yet have time to test it . And I havent seen a corrected version for both types of bioses and both types of updating-technique (diskette, non-diskette).

They did make it a case:

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 7:28 pm Post subject: A31P, Windows 2000 or XP and a 2nd battery i ultrabay 2000

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello All,

I've got NEWS:

IBM called me this morning at my office to let me know,

- that they did escalate "my case",
- that IBM in Japan is dealing with the problem and
- that a corrected version of the embedded controller software will probably be published soon... ''

They know (and seem to accept), that I 'll post the information with thinkpads.com, as I did refer to threads here several times and I told them so.

Let's wait - a little bit longer - and see
_________________
________friedrich-eugen_______________
started "demolishing" an IBM-XT (80186 / Win3.1) and restoring it, loosing on AST-Ascentias in the 90ties, today relying on IBM's Thinkpads (770X, lately on A31Ps) ...

Let' s test and see

P. S.: As it is, IBM has redone all controller-software for both systems (N and G) but missed changing Date and Version for the non-diskette-G-embedded-controller-link. Although it says 2004-11-15, it actually is 2004-12-17 and version 1.04.

So after all, both types of machines and both OS (XP and 2000) may now be tested....

stevenvh · #21 Post by **stevenvh** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 10:09 am

Hi all, I just finished rebuilding Windoze on my A31P-H6U (G-type BIOS) and also updated to 1.11 (1GET39WW) BIOS and 1.04 Embedded Controller. I am happy to report that all issues with the Utrabay battery seem solved. Mine's recognized and charging as I write this.
I do seem to have another problem though.
The LCD display occasionally defaults to 1600x1200 even though I use 1024x768.
The driver version is 8.051 (1rd612ww).
I think I've heard this issue discussed before.

Otherwise, I'm happy again.
Steven

friedrich-eugen · #22 Post by **friedrich-eugen** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 8:42 am

A happy new Year to all of You...

despite all the news ...

The embedded controller (N & G) in Version 1.04 do fix the problems and the batteries do work now !

at least ...l

stingbandel · #23 Post by **stingbandel** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 7:33 pm

yes, it solves the problem. I just look at it and I am a happy man now hehehe...

Merry X'Mas and Happy New Year to all of you...

Problem with second battery with New Embedded Controller....

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