X31 battery jumps from 17% to 5%

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Benja · #1 Post by **Benja** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 3:43 pm

Hello

My IBM X31 has a Battery produced 03/2005. It had 44 loading cylces since then. At least, IBM Battery Tool says that. It also says that the battery is in good condition.

Several days ago I recognized, that the percentages in battery mode go down quite normal from 100% to 17/18%. Than, it crashes directly to 5%.

Is that a normal behaviour ? I know, that if a cell dies, that behaviour occours. But my battery is neither that old nor that often used.

Is this a case for warranty ? Hase any of you experienced similar problems ?

Thank you !

bhtooefr · #2 Post by **bhtooefr** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 3:49 pm

Charge the battery to 100%.

Completely drain the battery, making sure that all of the options to go to sleep when the battery is low are turned off. You want it to hit ZERO percent.

Now, your battery will probably last a LONG time at 0%. Let it go until it dies.

Once it dies, plug it in. DO NOT TURN IT ON UNTIL IT IS FULLY CHARGED. The charge light will be solid green at that point - not flashing.

If that doesn't fix the problem, you'll need a new battery, or if there's a warranty on the battery, submit a claim.

Benja · #3 Post by **Benja** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 3:59 pm

how much warranty dows IBM give for batteries ? I guess it is good to know that I bouht it in Germany. My guess is, 1 year warranty for battery, 3 for the X31.

bhtooefr · #4 Post by **bhtooefr** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 4:03 pm

Push the "Access IBM" button, and pull up the Warranty Information screen.

On an R50e that I just set up, the base warranty was 1yr depot/1yr battery.

AgenT · #5 Post by **AgenT** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 9:50 pm

Could be wrong, but battery warranty is always 1 year. No matter what warranty you buy.

pphilipko · #6 Post by **pphilipko** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 11:25 pm

AgenT wrote:Could be wrong, but battery warranty is always 1 year. No matter what warranty you buy.

Correct.

Benja · #7 Post by **Benja** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 1:46 am

Okay, here is how the story ended:

I called IBMs german hotline yesterday morning at 9:30 am. A guy noticed my complain, told me it should be a case of warranty and a technical supporter will call me during the day.
I had to leave the house at about 2pm and came back at about 6 pm (I forgot that, otherwise I had given my mobile number). As I cam back, no call was on the answering machine. I though, "well, they will call this morning".
Now, at 8:30 am (the next day) UPS express rang my bell and now I have a new battery for my Thinkpad.
I have to send the old one back in 10 days. I just need to call UPS and they will come here and I will only have to hand it out to them.

I know, why I wanted a Thinkpad

AgenT · #8 Post by **AgenT** » Thu Sep 29, 2005 8:38 pm

Nice! Was this in Germany? Overnight shipment and 24 hour turn-around support. WOW!

Benja · #9 Post by **Benja** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 2:08 am

yes it was !
the time between my call and getting the new battery was 23 hours !

X31 battery jumps from 17% to 5%

X31 battery jumps from 17% to 5%

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