Battery Error and iGo

[Dale H. Cook]

On the eve of a business trip the shield in the cable of my T60 (Intel graphics) 65 watt power adaptor broke for the second time. I repaired it for the second time, but bought an iGo everywhere85 and relegated the Lenovo adapter to backup. I bought the iGo partly because I could get it immediately (since I was on the eve of a trip), partly because it is an AC/DC unit, and partly because I could get a tip for by backup machine, an i1300.

The iGo powered the T60 fine (which was already fully charged), so I packed it with the T60, leaving the original adaptor at home. I ran on the iGo after reaching my destination, but late in the day had to run on battery for a while. That evening in the hotel I connected the iGo and the battery started charging. I left the T60 in standby connected to the iGo overnight to finish charging.

This morning the battery gauge was showing 100%, but the battery LED was flashing amber, and moving the mouse pointer over the gauge showed the dreaded "A battery error has occurred" message. This battery is the original 6 cell, about 21 months old and down to about 45 minutes of running time.

I wonder whether the battery failure is related to its first time being charged with the iGo, or whether it is coincidence. I have ordered a 9 cell for the T60, but also wonder whether the iGo is not all it is cracked up to be. What say you?