T40 Bios update when laptop doesn't recognize the battery

[hlovepenn]

I have searched this fine website for a solution to our T40 not recognizing the battery.
1. I tried the on-off ten times, etc. method and it did not work.
2. I have tried using a genuine IBM battery, not fully-charged, so the generic battery problem should not apply.
3. As is commonly reported, with a fully-charged battery, (spent $25 for a shop to charge a generic battery for me!), I am not able to complete the latest bios update because the software does not recognize the fully-charged battery.
4. I have seen a work-around, but it seems to apply to Linux and we also don't have a USB floppy.

If there is a work-around for XP or other Windows OS, I'd buy a floppy--they're not that expensive. Also, the fully-charged battery that I have is generic--is that a problem?
Any help will be greatly appreciated. Happy 4th of July!!

[Brad]

Welcome to the forum!

Sorry for your trouble.

I think that the generic battery is the problem.

I would try the fully charged genuine battery. If it is not recognized I think you are out of luck.

Your ThinkPad only will work from the a/c adapter correct?

Brad

[BillMorrow]

(spent $25 for a shop to charge a generic battery for me!)

erk..!
someone sure took advantage of you..
$25 for plugging a battery into a charger and going to lunch..?
i would be ashamed..!

Also, the fully-charged battery that I have is generic--is that a problem?

its hard to say..
just how generic IS that battery and is it really compatible with your thinkpad..?
is there another, known good, thinkpad you can check the generic battery IN..?
to see if the battery applet can see the cpu and read it..

not able to complete the latest bios update

aside from the above, just how important IS IT that you update the bios..
is there an issue that updating will resolve..?
if not, perhaps you should rethink THAT particular issue..