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Power-User

Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: beverly hills
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On / Off Battery Icon in Laptop's System Tray

12/28/2008 8:02 PM

Dear, All

when my laptop is run and the charger is connected, the system icon battery continuosly blinking and my laptop battery is not charging properly. but if i turn off the computer and connected my charger the orange light power on, charging. please advise how to fix.

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Power-User
United States - Member - Popular Science - Weaponology - New Member

Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Springfield, Ohio
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Good Answers: 5
#1

Re: On / Off Battery Icon in Laptop's System Tray

12/29/2008 10:46 PM

That is a very vague question.

Try going to a computer forum and getting help there. You'll probably have better luck. You might be able to reach a better pool of people with more experience with laptop repair.

Regards,

Nick

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Anonymous Poster
#4
In reply to #1

Re: On / Off Battery Icon in Laptop's System Tray

12/30/2008 8:39 AM

Hi,

One different question- After charging 100%, if I connect laptop again for charging , will it affect battery?

Thank you.

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Power-User
United States - Member - Popular Science - Weaponology - New Member

Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Springfield, Ohio
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#7
In reply to #4

Re: On / Off Battery Icon in Laptop's System Tray

12/30/2008 9:29 AM

No, laptops have advanced enough charging circuits that it shouldn't do anything to it.

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Guru
United Kingdom - Member - Not a new member!

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#13
In reply to #4

Re: On / Off Battery Icon in Laptop's System Tray

12/30/2008 8:16 PM

Hello Guest,

trying to recharge the battery again when it is 'full' will do no damage. It may just get a little 'warm' as it does when charging.

Have a great new year..........

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Anonymous Poster
#2

Re: On / Off Battery Icon in Laptop's System Tray

12/30/2008 12:33 AM

I agree that other forums may be of greater assistance, however I've run into this with older laptops. The problem is likely the battery itself. Many older re-chargeable batteries suffered from a sort of memory loss. When not drained completely they would not re-charge fully. As this cycle repeated itself over time, eventualy you would end up with a battery that would appear to be charged but was not able maintain the proper output. The solution in these cases was to drain the battery completely, then re-charge the battery over night without running the computer. The key was to get the battery drained. The other possibility is that the internal back-up battery is reporting a low voltage and needs to be replaced. Sometime this causes the flashing light. I assume the laptop is no longer under warranty and so I would suggest finding a local computer surplus or refurb shop. They should be able to test your main battery as well as the coin sized internal back-up battery and recommend modern replacements as needed. Good Luck!

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Guru
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#3

Re: On / Off Battery Icon in Laptop's System Tray

12/30/2008 1:07 AM

Hello ronron,

It may be that you are using about all the power which is going into you battery. But it changes to a charge light as soon as you switch off because barely any power is being used?

I had a laptop a couple of years ago and I found the same thing as you, with the blinking lights etc. There was nothing else wrong with the machine and I do not know for sure what it was. One thing I did notice is the lights blinked fasted if I was on-line and, even faster when downloading things.

When I was checking my downloaded email, or doing nothing but, the thing was still switched on the blinking slowed down. I think that may have been the computer getting feedback from a battery test circuit that there was nothing being used so it need not 'check' the state of the battery or connection to the charging circuit so often?

Of course this is not 'fact', as, when I got the laptop I did not know how to use it or what was 'happening under the bonnet! (Hood, in the US).

This is my thoughts. But if and when you figure it out, and get a definitive answer, let me know please?

Have a great new year...................

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Anonymous Poster
#5

Re: On / Off Battery Icon in Laptop's System Tray

12/30/2008 9:16 AM

ronron,

How old is the battery? The problem could be that the battery internal leakge plus the load of the computer is equal to or greater than the capacity of the charger.

An indication of poor battery condition is very little or no run time on just the battery alone without the charger plugged in.

It sounds like the solution to the problem may be a new battery.

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Guru

Join Date: May 2006
Location: Placerville, CA (38° 45N, 120° 47'W)
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#6

Re: On / Off Battery Icon in Laptop's System Tray

12/30/2008 9:25 AM

Guest #2 is most likely correct, especially if this computer was mostly used on power, with the battery rarely discharged. If the battery is over three years old, don't bother with any testing- just buy a new one! With the new battery, discharge it (by using the computer without the power adapter) at least once a month or so.

If the battery is 1-3 years old. it may be worth trying to recondition it: Run the computer until the battery is completely discharged (without the adapter, of course). This means that for the last part of the discharge you need to do something unimportant, because you won't be able to save the last work or play. Then plug the adapter into the computer and charge it completely, preferably without using the computer, so all the energy goes to charging the battery. Repeat this process several times. If the battery is in decent condition, you should find it takes longer to discharge each time you do it. If not, just get a new battery

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Associate

Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 33
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#8

Re: On / Off Battery Icon in Laptop's System Tray

12/30/2008 9:47 AM

I read your question.

I could not help myself but think:

"Is the clock brinking?"

"Hit the menu button."

http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=5iAVkUxHhFY

I am certain it is the battery.

Check the manufacturer, get the model number, go online to search their site to see if your model qualifies for a recalled item. Battery desing is no clean cut science when we purchase our raw materials and components from a competitive, global network of suppliers. I would say it is a bit of a black art, where constant supervision of the quality of the raw goods can only ensure you don't put out any "Real Crappy Appliance", but you might have to discontinue a great product often.

Maybe you just used a generic power supply and damaged your battery.

Maybe a power surge did the trick on the battery.

I hope you enjoy the PhoneJacker bit. I spent 9 months in England last year and this radio DJ kept me smiling through the warm winters in Yorkshire!

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Power-User

Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Valdosta, GA
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#9

Re: On / Off Battery Icon in Laptop's System Tray

12/30/2008 11:02 AM

I had an old laptop once that did the same thing. Turned out that the battery was not making good connections. I cleaned the connections with some spray switch cleaner and also had to shim the battery door with a little piece of foam rubber to put more pressure on the connection plug. This fixed it. Battery still does not charge as well as it should but not a problem.

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Power-User

Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Colorado, USA
Posts: 202
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#10

Re: On / Off Battery Icon in Laptop's System Tray

12/30/2008 1:00 PM

Depending on how old your laptop is, it can have one of three different battery types in it.

The oldest type is nickel-cadmium (ni-cad), this type of battery was notorious for having 'memory' problems, i.e., if the battery was not often discharged fairly deeply, the battery would develop a significantly lower charge capacity. This battery also suffered from common shorting in its cells, further reducing capacity and terminal voltage. The most common 'fix' for the memory problem was to totally discharge the battery to near zero volts and then fully recharge it. This 'fix' has limited success and decreasing effect with battery age. Shorting could be 'fixed' with a high current discharge into the battery but this usually had limited success as well. These problems could easily cause your blinking battery icon.

The second type of battery, the nickel metal-hydride (Ni-Mh) had greater capacity the Ni-Cads and also a somewhat decreased proclivity for 'memory' and shorting problems. Often, a Ni-Mh battery pack can be found as a replacement for the Ni-Cad but not always.

The third and newest type is the Lithium-ion which generally does not have either 'memory' or shorting problems. As with any of these battery types, they do have similar decreasing capacity with use but the curves are different with each type.

When you are operating the laptop on the charger, the charger is supplying the difference in power that the battery cannot, hence, the steady charging icon. Because the battery is 'weak', you will have a flashing icon either immediately after unplugging the charger or within a short time afterwards, depending on how weak the battery is.

Essentially, a new battery pack is in order.

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Guru

Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 501
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#11

Re: On / Off Battery Icon in Laptop's System Tray

12/30/2008 1:05 PM

I have had this problem and it turned out to be the connector on the computer. You can sometimes prove this by moving the connector back and forth to get a better connector.

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Anonymous Poster
#12

Re: On / Off Battery Icon in Laptop's System Tray

12/30/2008 2:47 PM

hallo,

Just reset your lap-top means take out your battries wait for a few monute and then refit it. I think your problem will be solved.

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Guru

Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1758
Good Answers: 6
#14

Re: On / Off Battery Icon in Laptop's System Tray

12/30/2008 8:38 PM

Regards.

This is an indication of bad or no connection between battery & charger.

In these batteries there are 2 additional connection for charging control

If the Control circuit built-in battery is faulty it will not charge.

Try to check in another laptop if available.

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Participant

Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 2
#15

Re: On / Off Battery Icon in Laptop's System Tray

12/30/2008 8:45 PM

Had the same problem for weeks. Just received my laptop back today! It cost $150.00 - It was a loose connection inside, needed to be re-soldered or replaced.

Good luck!

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Power-User

Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: beverly hills
Posts: 116
#16

Re: On / Off Battery Icon in Laptop's System Tray

12/30/2008 9:31 PM

Dear, All

when my laptop is turn on with AC adapter connected, the system tray icon battery/ac power on and off, and my laptop battery is not charging. but if my laptop turn off and the ac adapter connected, it does charge. plaese advise how to fix the system icon battery/ac power on/off.

Regard's

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Power-User

Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Valdosta, GA
Posts: 361
Good Answers: 8
#17
In reply to #16

Re: On / Off Battery Icon in Laptop's System Tray

12/31/2008 3:29 PM

Isn't this the original question? Why are you posting it again? You are not supplying any additional info. We have taken our best guesses here but ultimately I think you need to take your laptop to someone that knows what they are doing.

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Power-User

Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: beverly hills
Posts: 116
#18
In reply to #17

Re: On / Off Battery Icon in Laptop's System Tray

01/04/2009 11:49 PM

Dear, All

i did sent my laptop to the manufacturer to diagnose, it was the battery faulty. they replace new one. now my laptop is working well. thank to all your contribution.

Regard's & Thanks

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Anonymous Poster (3); babybear (2); dkwarner (1); Electronic Wiz (1); Haajee (1); jmart23 (1); Keywalker (2); MiCar (1); Nickjd (2); robert_cameron_jr (1); ronron (2)

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