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Red cross appears over battery icon and green 'on' light const


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#1
Azma

Azma

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The computer I have is a Sony Vaio laptop VPCF13Z1E and the operating system is Windows 8. I've had it for about two years.

All of a sudden a red cross has appeared over the battery icon in the bottom left-hand corner of my computer desktop (when I move my mouse over it, it says "0% remaining" all the time. The on button, on the right of the laptop, is constantly flashing green all the time (very distracting!). Also the charging light, a small battery image on the front of the computer, is constantly flashing orange. This is all while the laptop is plugged in.

When I unplug the laptop, it stops working altogether..

When I leave the laptop plugged in, but have it switched off, it still doesn't charge up the battery.

Does this mean the battery is dead?

Is there any solution to this please? The computer/battery is not too old, and I don't understand how the battery can go completely all of a sudden.

I've tried to take the battery out and put it in again several times, but the issue is still occurring.

When fully charged, the laptop would work for about 45 minutes until the problem started occurring today.

If I need to buy a new battery, does it make any actual difference what brand the new battery is please? I don't feel like buying Sony unnecessarily, as they are very expensive and all I've had is one problem after another with my Sony laptop.

Is it possible to buy a battery with a longer life, as even when I bought the computer brand new it only remained on for about an hour if not plugged in?

Thanks in advance for your help.
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#2
phillpower2

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Hello Azma

Have you tried removing the battery and using the AC adapter only to see if the blinking light/s behavior changes/stops.

The battery does sound as though it is dead, do you use the notebook for prolonged periods with both the battery in and the AC adapter connected to the mains power, this will shorten a batteries life expectancy.

Stick with a genuine replacement Sony battery as it will last longer than a cheap generic replacement + it will be guaranteed as compatible.
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#3
Azma

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Thanks a lot for your help.

When I take the battery out, the annoying constant flashing of both the green and orange lights, for power and battery charging respectively, stops.

I'll start hunting for a new battery, unless someone can suggest a fix.
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#4
phillpower2

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Thanks for the update Azma - you are welcome :thumbsup:

If the notebook functions ok with the battery removed and there are no flashing lights the battery is almost certainly bad.

There is no repairing a bad battery but you may be able to have the present one tested by a local tech store such as PC World if only for your peace of mind before you purchase a replacement.
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