Jump to content

Welcome to Geeks to Go - Register now for FREE

Need help with your computer or device? Want to learn new tech skills? You're in the right place!
Geeks to Go is a friendly community of tech experts who can solve any problem you have. Just create a free account and post your question. Our volunteers will reply quickly and guide you through the steps. Don't let tech troubles stop you. Join Geeks to Go now and get the support you need!

How it Works Create Account
Photo

Dell Laptop Battery Problem


  • Please log in to reply

#1
Sheogorath

Sheogorath

    New Member

  • Member
  • Pip
  • 3 posts
I have a Dell XPS M1710 which is three years old. Back in August I was having problems with the battery. It was slowly decreasing over time, while still plugged in, until the power icon by the time dropped to about 20%. It said that the battery was charging even though it clearly wasn't. We got a new battery, but it wasn't the right one so we sent that back and got a new one. This one when plugged in exhibited the same problem where it started at ~94% capacity and since then has decreased to 64%. The exact wording is "64% remaining (charging)" but instead of the number increasing to 100% it's decreasing.

I'm wondering whether or not this is a battery, computer, or AC adapter problem. Advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
  • 0

Advertisements


#2
rshaffer61

rshaffer61

    Moderator

  • Moderator
  • 34,114 posts
The issue with any rechargeable battery is they have a memory. So when you charge them and then take them off charge to use before they are fully charged the battery will then only charge back to that charge point.
Now i would say that could be a cause but it sounds like also your ac adapter may be faulty. Do you have a battery store there that you could take the battery to and see if they can put a full charge on it? This would tell you quickly if the battery itself is faulty.
  • 0

#3
Sheogorath

Sheogorath

    New Member

  • Topic Starter
  • Member
  • Pip
  • 3 posts
I don't know of any battery stores off the top of my head. Are they specialty stores or like Best Buy? I just checked the Voltage coming off of AC adapter and it was at ~20V and it's supposed to be 19.5V.
  • 0

#4
rshaffer61

rshaffer61

    Moderator

  • Moderator
  • 34,114 posts
Do you have anything like Batteries Plus there?
You may have to call the big name stores and see if they can test the battery for you. Stay away the from the Geek Squad at all costs.
  • 0

#5
phillipcorcoran

phillipcorcoran

    Member 1K

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 1,293 posts
Whilst it's true some rechargeable batteries suffer from the 'memory effect', the latest battery types do not. The first laptop batteries were Nickel-Cadmium (NiCad) and they did suffer from memory effect, but modern Lithium-Ion (Li-ion)types do not. Most new laptops are now supplied with the Lithium-Ion type, so your problem must be caused by something else.

Whilst on the subject of laptop batteries, if you regularly use yours from the mains over long periods, you should fully charge the battery then remove it and store it away. This will give the battery a much longer working life before it finally expires permanently. This applies to all laptop battery-types. The rechargeable battery which lasts forever does not yet exist.

Edited by phillipcorcoran, 03 January 2010 - 08:46 AM.

  • 0

#6
rshaffer61

rshaffer61

    Moderator

  • Moderator
  • 34,114 posts
The next item I would look at is the AC adapter itself.
Other then the battery issue is the system itself running correctly? If so then i would not suspect the system as being the problem.
  • 0

#7
123Runner

123Runner

    Member 4k

  • Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 4,526 posts

I just checked the Voltage coming off of AC adapter and it was at ~20V and it's supposed to be 19.5V.

That is nothing to worry about.
  • 0

#8
Miss Kris

Miss Kris

    Member

  • Member
  • PipPip
  • 15 posts
Can I add a similar question to the original post? Or should I start a new topic?
  • 0

#9
rshaffer61

rshaffer61

    Moderator

  • Moderator
  • 34,114 posts
Direct to: Miss Kris

Please start your own topic
Although your issue may seem similar there can be other factors that may need to be resolved.
By bumping on someone's topic it makes it confusing for the tech to understand who they are helping. This can in turn cause the wrong support to be given and can cause instability or worse to happen to your system.
Thank you for your cooperation.
  • 0

#10
Miss Kris

Miss Kris

    Member

  • Member
  • PipPip
  • 15 posts
Thank you for your rapid reply. :)
  • 0






Similar Topics

0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users

As Featured On:

Microsoft Yahoo BBC MSN PC Magazine Washington Post HP