IBM T21 won't charge the battery

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elportugues · #1 Post by **elportugues** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 7:48 am

I have this laptop and can not charge the battery. Took out the mainboard and attached to another computer and have the same problem.
Any idea?
Thanks,

Website · #2 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 8:06 am

Similar to the T23, I would check the square black inductor on the top side of the systemboard, to see if the solder contacts have broken loose. I will try to find Ray's picture, so that you will know which inductor.

#3 Post by **rkawakami** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 8:07 am

Well, if you also used the same battery after you moved the motherboard into another system, then that really doesn't prove (or exclude) anything.

Two possible problems:

- your motherboard has a defect or disconnected part in the battery charging circuit
- your battery is defective/old

I would try another battery; borrow one if possible, and see if that one charges. If it does, then your battery is at fault. Otherwise, if the other battery also does not charge, take a look at this scan which was provided by another member here:

http://www.rkawakami.net/ibm_t2x/t21_mo ... legend.jpg

and look at location "G6". The blue/black component with the "150" on top may be loose, or some other component around that area.

I guess a couple of other questions need to be asked as well:

- what color is the battery LED on the right hinge when the AC adapter is plugged in?
- is it steady or does it blink?
- does the laptop operate at all with just the battery?

edit: Ha! Beat you to it Steve!

#4 Post by **dorronto** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 8:24 am

rkawakami wrote: edit: Ha! Beat you to it Steve!

you gotta love it when we all work together

I just had to say that. Again appreciate all the help Ray and Steve...

Ron

ArtShapiro · #5 Post by **ArtShapiro** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 4:45 pm

elportugues wrote:Any idea?
Thanks,

Is it a non-IBM battery?

It's been pretty well established that the latest BIOS & Embedded Controller have been spiked to only charge actual IBM batteries on the T2x series.

Art

Msmax · #6 Post by **Msmax** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:33 am

Interesting...

What are the latest BIOS en EC version of which it is known to work with NON IBM batteries?
(for T23 and T22 machines)

Thanks for your help.

Msmax

#7 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:47 am

I run my T23 (2647-4MU) with a non-IBM battery without any issues.
BIOS Version: 1AET64WW (1.20)
Release Date: 2006/10/31
Emb. Controller Version: 1.06a (1AHT23WW)
Release Date: 2004/08/06

Raceboy · #8 Post by **Raceboy** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:06 am

Same here!

RealBlackStuff wrote:I run my T23 (2647-4MU) with a non-IBM battery without any issues.
BIOS Version: 1AET64WW (1.20)
Release Date: 2006/10/31
Emb. Controller Version: 1.06a (1AHT23WW)
Release Date: 2004/08/06

ArtShapiro · #9 Post by **ArtShapiro** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:07 am

Msmax wrote:What are the latest BIOS en EC version of which it is known to work with NON IBM batteries?
(for T23 and T22 machines)
Msmax

I can't explain the subsequent comment by RealBlackStuff refuting this allegation - perhaps some non-IBM batteries have more smarts in their electronics than do others. Here's my own recent thread where going back to the 1.05 EC reproducibly allowed the non-IBM battery to charge in a T23. My IBM battery worked fine at any level.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=57208

There are other similar threads.

No experience with the T22.

Art

IBM T21 won't charge the battery

IBM T21 won't charge the battery

Re: IBM T21 won't charge the battery

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