Question for computer wizards.

[noelle12]

I am currently in the hospital where I have been for 5 weeks now. My laptop is my connection with the outside world. For the past few days now the icon that shows whether the computer is pulling from the battery or from the power cord has indicated only pulling from the battery, even though I keep the computer plugged in all of the time. When I first noticed it, the battery indicated that it was at 74% remaining. Today, two days later, it says 68% power remaining in the battery. Is it possible that the cord is continuing to support the battery, and the computer is not being powered by the cord?

[Cold_War_Warrior]

You could have a poor connection where your power cord plugs in to the laptop or anywhere along the line back to the wall outlet.

Some power adapters have plugs on either end of the transformer block (that’s the black square in the cord) so, check each plug by physically disconnecting them and plugging them back in.

If your battery has been being used for two days and its only down to 68% then you’ve got a good battery.

I’m not familiar enough with the icon usage to tell if it is actually displaying correctly. Most laptops will dim the screen to a setting that is other than full brightness when operating only on battery power. Is that what is also happening when your icon says it is on battery power?

[noelle12]

The computer (and battery) are 4 years old. I don't think the battery is in that good of condition.

The connection into and out of the transformer block is good.

The battery power only seems to go down when the cord is disconnected. I don't dare unplug it or mess with it too much because my laptop is my lifeline right now.

[Cold_War_Warrior]

I guess it will be ok for now then. If it isn’t shutting down unexpectedly while you’re using it then the power cord must be supplying the power despite what the icon says.

I would suggest shutting down and powering off completely overnight to see if the battery power recharges to near full capacity as a test.

(Don’t use standby since that will continue to use power)

I hope your stay in the hospital isn’t prolonged and wish you well.

[noelle12]

I guess it will be ok for now then. If it isn’t shutting down unexpectedly while you’re using it then the power cord must be supplying the power despite what the icon says.

I would suggest shutting down and powering off completely overnight to see if the battery power recharges to near full capacity as a test.

(Don’t use standby since that will continue to use power)

I hope your stay in the hospital isn’t prolonged and wish you well.

Thank you.

I have been shutting the computer down completely over night, but the battery does not charge. I'm not too worried right now, because at least the computer seems to be working, but I'm going to try to get another one here that will work better.

[jimjames418]

Thank you.

I have been shutting the computer down completely over night, but the battery does not charge. I'm not too worried right now, because at least the computer seems to be working, but I'm going to try to get another one here that will work better.
If the battery is 4+ years old, it is a good bet that the battery is completely gone and the computer is running off the house power.

[Striker8440]

I work in the IT field and have more than enough experiences with issues like this. More than likely what is going on is 1 of 2 things. Either your powerpack is going bad and not providing enough juice to charge the battery or the dc adapter on your board has a loose connection. If you take the plug on the back of the laptop and wiggle it LIGHTLY, does it seem to move alot or just a litle. If it seems loose than its prob the dc connector on the board. IF you have somebody that can take the board out of your laptop it will cost around 100.00 to have the dc connector replaced by a repair shop. If you know somebody who can solder on pc boards you can buy the dc adapter for around 30.00 or so.

[Striker8440]

If the battery is 4+ years old, it is a good bet that the battery is completely gone and the computer is running off the house power.

My personal laptop is over 6 years old on the original battery, it still holds a charge and will recharge with no problem.

[Clamp]

I work in the IT field and have more than enough experiences with issues like this. More than likely what is going on is 1 of 2 things. Either your powerpack is going bad and not providing enough juice to charge the battery or the dc adapter on your board has a loose connection. If you take the plug on the back of the laptop and wiggle it LIGHTLY, does it seem to move alot or just a litle. If it seems loose than its prob the dc connector on the board. IF you have somebody that can take the board out of your laptop it will cost around 100.00 to have the dc connector replaced by a repair shop. If you know somebody who can solder on pc boards you can buy the dc adapter for around 30.00 or so.


I'd also pop the battery out of the laptop and clean the contacts. Dirty contacts will cause it to not receive a charge, or give a false reading to the system regarding amount of charge it has...

If you have no way to clean it, put the battery in and take it out several times. The insert/removal sometimes will clean the contacts via the pins in the battery compartment rubbing on the contacts of the battery.

[PercyVere]

I am currently in the hospital where I have been for 5 weeks now. My laptop is my connection with the outside world. For the past few days now the icon that shows whether the computer is pulling from the battery or from the power cord has indicated only pulling from the battery, even though I keep the computer plugged in all of the time. When I first noticed it, the battery indicated that it was at 74% remaining. Today, two days later, it says 68% power remaining in the battery. Is it possible that the cord is continuing to support the battery, and the computer is not being powered by the cord?Two days later you say, but how much usage are you talking about, half hour per day, contant usage, minutes?

I suspect we need to use Occam's Razor here. If the icon says you are on battery power, and that battery reserve is decresing, i suspect this is exactly what is happening ... i.e. you are using the computer for a short period each day, and your battery charge is dwindling.
If that's the case your external DC supply is faulty. This could be a whole bunch of things ... power connector on laptop, power connections inside laptop, faulty transformer in adapter, faulty wiring in adapter, faulty plug or socket.

You happen to know anyone with the same adapter / brand of laptop in there? If so, try swapping temporarily.

[PercyVere]

I'd also pop the battery out of the laptop and clean the contacts.Come to think of it ... take the battery out, then try to power it up on mains alone ... that should give you a clear indication of the state of health of your external power supply.

[noelle12]

I tried powering up the computer with the battery pack out. It would not power at all.

I have the computer on for hours at a time. In fact it has been on all day today. The battery charge went from 68% this morning to 67%. It went down 1% when I removed the cord from the transformer block to check the connection.

[PercyVere]

I tried powering up the computer with the battery pack out. It would not power at all.

I have the computer on for hours at a time. In fact it has been on all day today. The battery charge went from 68% this morning to 67%. It went down 1% when I removed the cord from the transformer block to check the connection.It does sound like you have only partial external power ... perhaps the transformer is a bit stuffed or rectification is not working correctly. However, if it is maintaining battery power, even at this low level, it may be enough to get you by.

If you do encounter anyone with a laptop of the same brand, test out their power adapter to see if it makes the icon go away.

[noelle12]

It does sound like you have only partial external power ... perhaps the transformer is a bit stuffed or rectification is not working correctly. However, if it is maintaining battery power, even at this low level, it may be enough to get you by.

If you do encounter anyone with a laptop of the same brand, test out their power adapter to see if it makes the icon go away.

Thank you.