Battery charging on Dell Inspiron 600m laptop

[Sam Goldwasser]

This computer had the power jack totally ripped off and basically rattling
around inside. Anyone familiar with this type of jack knows that to do
that takes some effort. I'm not sure if even dropping the laptop to
dangle by the power cord could it.

With the jack replaced, everything seems to work except that
the battery won't charge, both based on the charge percent not changing
on the software charge meter and that it dies immediately trying to boot or
run with only the battery as the power source. The system knows when the
battery is installed and says it's charging but the percent doesn't change.
Originally, the battery read 7 percent; now after a couple weeks of being
idle, it is 0 percent.

I do not know the history of this computer. Can this be anything other
than a problem on the mainboard? I'm assuming the battery itself is good
but have no means of testing it. I was quite careful when replacing the
power jack but it's possible there is a soldering problem, or even that
some itty bitty SMT part popped off when the power jack broke off and is
lost. It's such a pain to get the entire thing apart that I'm not inclined
to do so unless there is a good chance it's something obvious.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Thanks.

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
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[Meat Plow]

This computer had the power jack totally ripped off and basically rattling
around inside. Anyone familiar with this type of jack knows that to do
that takes some effort. I'm not sure if even dropping the laptop to
dangle by the power cord could it.

With the jack replaced, everything seems to work except that
the battery won't charge, both based on the charge percent not changing
on the software charge meter and that it dies immediately trying to boot or
run with only the battery as the power source. The system knows when the
battery is installed and says it's charging but the percent doesn't change.
Originally, the battery read 7 percent; now after a couple weeks of being
idle, it is 0 percent.

I do not know the history of this computer. Can this be anything other
than a problem on the mainboard? I'm assuming the battery itself is good
but have no means of testing it. I was quite careful when replacing the
power jack but it's possible there is a soldering problem, or even that
some itty bitty SMT part popped off when the power jack broke off and is
lost. It's such a pain to get the entire thing apart that I'm not inclined
to do so unless there is a good chance it's something obvious.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Assuming the battery is ok why not spend a couple bucks on a down loadable
service manual? This would show how to disassemble the unit and quite
possibly some tips on your problem. I've had a couple Dell Inspiron
laptops apart and they weren't really such a pain to get apart. Main thing
was to figure out how to get the keyboard out then the rest was just
removing the right screws.

 

[CheetahHugger]

I had exactly that happen on a dell inspiron and it was not charged
for 2 weeks, dead battery.
Definitely worth checking the battery.

Cheetah

 

[Sam Goldwasser]

I had exactly that happen on a dell inspiron and it was not charged
for 2 weeks, dead battery.
Definitely worth checking the battery.

I think that must be the next step. It's also what the brain dead Dell
Wizard suggests (buying directly from them of course).

It will not charge either with the computer on or off.

(BTW, it's a 700m, not a 600m, my mistake.)

Thanks.

P.S. Whatever happened to batteries with just a + and - you could charge
from a DC supply??? Yes, I know the answer....

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
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[JW]

I think that must be the next step. It's also what the brain dead Dell
Wizard suggests (buying directly from them of course).

I would try these folks - I've dealt with them in the past, and had a
positive experience:
http://www.batteries.com/productprofile.asp?appid=389268

I'm sure it's quite a bit cheaper as well.

 

[Sam Goldwasser]

I would try these folks - I've dealt with them in the past, and had a
positive experience:
http://www.batteries.com/productprofile.asp?appid=389268

I'm sure it's quite a bit cheaper as well.

No doubt.

But I'm not willing to take the risk of buying a new battery just yet.
Need to find someone with a known good battery and try it.

When I got the computer to repair, the battery had some charge in it
so it had been able to charge relatively recently. I'm still suspect
of the charging circuitry.

Thanks.

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
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[JW]

No doubt.

But I'm not willing to take the risk of buying a new battery just yet.
Need to find someone with a known good battery and try it.

When I got the computer to repair, the battery had some charge in it
so it had been able to charge relatively recently. I'm still suspect
of the charging circuitry.

Thanks.

It's likely that what you have is a "smart" battery. FWIW, There's a bit
of good info on them here:
http://www.buchmann.ca/article21-page1.asp

 

[[email protected]]

But I'm not willing to take the risk of buying a new battery just yet.
Need to find someone with a known good battery and try it.

Is this battery covered under the Dell recall?

TM

 

[Jerry Peters]

No doubt.

But I'm not willing to take the risk of buying a new battery just yet.
Need to find someone with a known good battery and try it.

When I got the computer to repair, the battery had some charge in it
so it had been able to charge relatively recently. I'm still suspect
of the charging circuitry.

Thanks.

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
+Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm
| Mirror Sites: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_mirror.html

Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above is
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I've had a seldom used Latitude ruin a battery that was left in it
for several months without charging it. The symptoms I get are that
the battery will start charging for a few minutes, then the charging
light on the laptop changes to orange. If I press the button on the
battery to view the charge all of the leds light, then one of them
flashes slowly. I have 2 different model Latitudes and the ruined
battery will not charge (or work) in either of them.

Jerry

PS, Another source of Dell laptop parts I can recomend is
parts-people.com.

 

[Sam Goldwasser]

It's likely that what you have is a "smart" battery. FWIW, There's a bit
of good info on them here:
http://www.buchmann.ca/article21-page1.asp

Interesting. I'm sure this is a "smart" battery, perhaps too smart
for its own good!

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
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subject line. Or, you can contact me via the Feedback Form in the FAQs.

 

[Sam Goldwasser]

Is this battery covered under the Dell recall?

We are going to check that.

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
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[Jerry G.]

My thoughts are on the battery. I would first look to see if there is a way
to test the charging circuits. I realize that some of these are complex,
because the charging current will not come on unless specific criteria from
the battery load is visible to the charger.

I have an Acer Centrino laptop. After about 3 years, I noticed the battery
starting to not hold its charge. Then soon, it would not charge very well.
I simply ran out and bought another battery. So-far, I have no complaints.
With the new battery, the computer is working the way it should.

--

Jerry G.
======


This computer had the power jack totally ripped off and basically rattling
around inside. Anyone familiar with this type of jack knows that to do
that takes some effort. I'm not sure if even dropping the laptop to
dangle by the power cord could it.

With the jack replaced, everything seems to work except that
the battery won't charge, both based on the charge percent not changing
on the software charge meter and that it dies immediately trying to boot or
run with only the battery as the power source. The system knows when the
battery is installed and says it's charging but the percent doesn't change.
Originally, the battery read 7 percent; now after a couple weeks of being
idle, it is 0 percent.

I do not know the history of this computer. Can this be anything other
than a problem on the mainboard? I'm assuming the battery itself is good
but have no means of testing it. I was quite careful when replacing the
power jack but it's possible there is a soldering problem, or even that
some itty bitty SMT part popped off when the power jack broke off and is
lost. It's such a pain to get the entire thing apart that I'm not inclined
to do so unless there is a good chance it's something obvious.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Thanks.

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/
Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/
+Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm
| Mirror Sites: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_mirror.html

Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above is
ignored unless my full name AND either lasers or electronics is included in
the
subject line. Or, you can contact me via the Feedback Form in the FAQs.