Laptop batteries - need advice please

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 2:30 pm

I have a Toshiba laptop, and I wondered if the battery could be damaged if it was not used with battery power. Actually I wondered if it could be damaged if the laptop was not used at all for several months, either from mains or battery. Your advice would be much appreciated, as a replacement battery is not cheap. Thanks.

:-3

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 2:36 pm

Good luck Gill....I don't know...would think that the batter would be drained or rust....

I was just going to ask a battery question for my dell laptop... I bought a new ac adapter, but realize that I need a new battery as my laptop turns on but doensn't charge.

I just purchased one for $180.....oy vey.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 2:38 pm

I'm not sure I understand Gill. Is the battery dead? If you plug it in with the power cord does it charge up? Have you tried removing the battery and putting it back in then charging it up? How old is the laptop? batteries don't last forever.

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 2:40 pm

G#Gill;1157783 wrote: I have a Toshiba laptop, and I wondered if the battery could be damaged if it was not used with battery power. Actually I wondered if it could be damaged if the laptop was not used at all for several months, either from mains or battery. Your advice would be much appreciated, as a replacement battery is not cheap. Thanks.

:-3

My laptop battery is knackered too, will only work plugged in. Have no idea why..

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 2:42 pm

They just don't make them like they use to and they die quickly on these newer Laptops. :-5

[QUOTE]My laptop battery is knackered too, will only work plugged in. Have no idea why..[/QUOTE]

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 2:43 pm

Hi Carla,

I can't even figure out how to open my laptop to insert a new battery. I have a dell inspiron 1525. Dell told me that there's a rectangular know that you push sideways and it should open. Nothing opens....

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 2:46 pm

CARLA;1157788 wrote: I'm not sure I understand Gill. Is the battery dead? If you plug it in with the power cord does it charge up? Have you tried removing the battery and putting it back in then charging it up? How old is the laptop? batteries don't last forever.

Carla, my laptop is not in my possession, and has been that way since November. I am not sure when I shall have it returned either. That is why I was concerned about the state of the battery when left for such a long time. Also, if it becomes knackered whilst out of my control, will it cause damage to the laptop itself ?

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 2:48 pm

$59 here Kathy................

=1525+battery&s[title]=Y&s[short_desc]=Y&s[full_desc]=Y&s[cid]=0&gclid=CMjqh9Kyo5kCFQpuGgod30gypQ"]http://www.discountelectronics.com/inde ... Ggod30gypQ

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 2:49 pm

G#Gill;1157804 wrote: Carla, my laptop is not in my possession, and has been that way since November. I am not sure when I shall have it returned either. That is why I was concerned about the state of the battery when left for such a long time. Also, if it becomes knackered whilst out of my control, will it cause damage to the laptop itself ?

My kids go months without turning on their laptops and other than a dead battery its fine and charges fine.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:02 pm

Kathy turn it over on the back at the top where the lid hinge is you will see the rectangle battery just below that is a push switch, push it you will here the battery snap(release) and it should just come out. That is were the new battery goes.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:16 pm

CARLA;1157815 wrote: Kathy turn it over on the back at the top where the lid hinge is you will see the rectangle battery just below that is a push switch, push it you will here the battery snap(release) and it should just come out. That is were the new battery goes.

Oh Carla:-4

I honestly don't know how to thank you. I thought that there was a little battery that would pop out of a compartment. I just realized that the battery is huge and it must have been dislodged.

I just plugged it in with my new ac charger and now it is working fine.

I can't believe that I can buy batteries cheaper. I thought you could only buy certain dell products from them.

I'm wiser now. Thank you so much Carla...you're a doll:-4

Wooohooooo, I have my laptop back and charging.

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:17 pm

Chezzie;1157809 wrote: My kids go months without turning on their laptops and other than a dead battery its fine and charges fine.

Well I hope you are right Chez. I just understood that any batteries will deteriorate if left unused/uncharged for a period of time. I'll keep my fingers crossed. Thanks everybody for your help !

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:19 pm

Good luck Gill...I hope it will work for you.:-4

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:22 pm

Glad I could help.

[QUOTE]I'm wiser now. Thank you so much Carla...you're a doll

Wooohooooo, I have my laptop back and charging.[/QUOTE]

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:32 pm

chonsigirl;1157807 wrote: $59 here Kathy................

Dell Optiplex, Dimension, Vostro, Inspiron, Latitude, XPS Parts, Dell Laptop Parts, Dell Replacement Parts[search]=1525+battery&s[title]=Y&s[short_desc]=Y&s[full_desc]=Y&s[cid]=0&gclid=CMjqh9Kyo5kCFQpuGgod30gypQ

Chonsi, Thank you soooooo much...Didn't know this site existed.

Unfortunately, I've already ordered the battery and it's shipped. Think I'll just keep it and order here next time.

Thank you. What a difference in price:-5

Post by **spot** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:34 pm

Kathy Ellen;1157800 wrote: Hi Carla,

I can't even figure out how to open my laptop to insert a new battery. I have a dell inspiron 1525. Dell told me that there's a rectangular know that you push sideways and it should open. Nothing opens....

You flip it onto its back. There's a ridged thumb catch that you push toward the side and the battery slides out while the catch is held sideways. Documentation describes doing it.

eta: I just got to the rest of the thread. Out of date info.

Attached files

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:37 pm

Thank you again Carla and Chonsi.....I should have asked for advice in FG before I ordered anything.

Carla, another question....What performance should I keep my laptop on....I have it on high preformance...guess that's no good huh.....Don't know how the power saver works...think that might be best.

I've only had my laptop for a year. So, the battery is still working, but the ac adapter died.....

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:40 pm

spot;1157837 wrote: You flip it onto its back. There's a ridged thumb catch that you push toward the side and the battery slides out while the catch is held sideways. Documentation describes doing it.

eta: I just got to the rest of the thread. Out of date info.

Thank you Spot....I appreciate you help. I really thought it was a wee battery that I would pop out of a compartment. Wow, that battery is big...

Thanks so much:-6

Post by **spot** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:42 pm

G#Gill;1157828 wrote: Well I hope you are right Chez. I just understood that any batteries will deteriorate if left unused/uncharged for a period of time. I'll keep my fingers crossed. Thanks everybody for your help !

That was dry cells back when you bought batteries labelled Ever Ready which were made out of cardboard.

Computer batteries had a year when they were Nickel Cadmium, NiCad, and they sucked. They needed to drain fully before charging or they lost their will to live. Batteries this last five years have been different, they die after a set number of drain-recharge cycles unless they're damaged. They do still need replacing every, say, five years, in consequence, but they're a lot less delicate.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:52 pm

Kathy I have mine on high performance as well it just make the battery time shorter before you have to recharge it. Powersaver is when the laptop does certain things. For instance it will turn off in 30 minutes, or go into sleep mode, or go idle, or the monitor turns off till you hit any key just saves the battery a bit.

If you don't want the battery send it back Dell will take it back. You just need to check that battery and make sure the switch hasn't been hit and the battery doesn't come ajar a bit. When that happens you don't have battery power. Your machine is fairly new you don't need a new battery yet, but thats up to you.

[QUOTE]Carla, another question....What performance should I keep my laptop on....I have it on high preformance...guess that's no good huh.....Don't know how the power saver works...think that might be best.[/QUOTE]

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:56 pm

CARLA;1157849 wrote: Kathy I have mine on high performance as well it just make the battery time shorter before you have to recharge it. Powersaver is when the laptop does certain things. For instance it will turn off in 30 minutes, or go into sleep mode, or go idle, or the monitor turns off till you hit any key just saves the battery a bit.

If you don't want the battery send it back Dell will take it back. You just need to check that battery and make sure the switch hasn't been hit and the battery doesn't come ajar a bit. When that happens you don't have battery power. Your machine is fairly new you don't need a new battery yet, but thats up to you.

Thank you Carla...great advice..I appreciate your help very much;)

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:59 pm

Kathy if you want to change your power setting if you have Vista right click on the desktop select personalize, go to screen saver at the bottom is the "CHANGE YOUR POWER SETTING" click on it and you can see what your settings are.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 4:12 pm

CARLA;1157854 wrote: Kathy if you want to change your power setting if you have Vista right click on the desktop select personalize, go to screen saver at the bottom is the "CHANGE YOUR POWER SETTING" click on it and you can see what your settings are.

Thanks Carla, but I'm going to leave it on high performance. I have an ac adapter that can recharge it easily. I mostly use my laptop around my home. I just wasn't sure of how power saver worked.

I leave my laptop on as I'm doing my scoolwork/housework so I like it available ALLLLLL the time.

Thanks Carla;)