Re: Battery plugged in, not charging

pigeon-wing wrote:


I'm running Windows Vista on a Gateway NX570X laptop. About a year after
I bought it, it slid off the table and bent the connecter for the
original AC adapter, so I bought a new adapter online. It's an off-brand
adapter, but the voltage outputs and inputs are the same as my old
adapter, and it charged the battery fine for about two months. Then the
battery started charging halfway and then less and less until finally it
reached 0% available (plugged in, not charging). Now, this still wasn't
an immediate problem for me because my laptop is stationary most of the
time; however, since last October the adapter has had to be plugged in
at a certain angle or it won't power the laptop at all, and now it has
taken to shutting off randomly or whenever the connecter is nudged.
Highlights:

* Gateway NX570X laptop with Windows Vista
* Off-brand AC adapter worked for about two months before malfunctions
began
* Battery life reads 0% available (plugged in, not charging)
* Adapter must be inserted into the laptop at just the right angle to
turn it on
* Computer shuts down randomly, ranging between minutes, hours, and
days after starting it up

I have tried:

* Removing and replacing the battery while the computer was on and off
* Reinstalling Microsoft ACPI Compliant Control Method Battery

I contacted one of Gateway's online reps about the matter, but he told
me to jiggle the battery before instructing me to buy a new one (then he
closed the chat). Is this definitely a battery problem? I don't have
much money to spend, so I'm not sure whether to spend it on a new
battery, a new AC adapter, or on taking it to a repair shop (if my small
town even has a reputable computer repair shop); or whether this might
be a problem with Vista.

Thank you for the very clear and thorough explanation of your issue. I'm
sorry to tell you this but I don't think it is a battery problem at all. I
think you damaged the charger component on the motherboard. If the computer
is under warranty, contact Gateway tech support to replace the motherboard.
If the computer isn't under warranty, I'm afraid replacing the motherboard
will be quite expensive. You can find out how expensive by calling Gateway.

I have heard of people fixing this if they have good skills with a soldering
iron, and if it's a question of that or replacing the entire motherboard it
might be a viable alternative. After all, if they destroy the motherboard
in the process you're not any worse off than you are now. You'd need to
call around and find someone who is truly skilled in laptop repair,
including soldering, and not just saying they are to have a hope of this
working.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Battery plugged in, not charging
    ... you have damaged the power jack on your laptop. ... original AC adapter, so I bought a new adapter online. ... and it charged the battery fine for about two months. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.vista.hardware_devices)
  • Battery plugged in, not charging
    ... I'm running Windows Vista on a Gateway NX570X laptop. ... original AC adapter, so I bought a new adapter online. ... and it charged the battery fine for about two months. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.vista.hardware_devices)
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    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware)
  • Re: basic question
    ... There is no harm in what you are doing, in terms of the AC adapter. ... Batteries ARE damage by being left in a laptop that is constantly plugged in. ... The culprit is a combination of slight overcharging and heat (from other components of the laptop, and possibly from being slightly but continuously overcharged). ... -Plug the power supply into a battery backed up outlet of the UPS ...
    (alt.sys.pc-clone.dell)
  • Re: system configuration data updated ERROR
    ... I turned it on and beeped twice and gave me an error ... I'm not sure what BIOS is in those gateway laptops; on an Award BIOS, 2 short beeps means damaged config data; so that would be pretty consistent. ... The most common cause of the CMOS failing is a dud battery - ie, not the main laptop power battery, but the very small battery on the motherboard which keeps the CMOS memory intact when the laptop is turned off. ...
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