IBM Thinkpad Battery

[gmitch]

I am using an IBM thinkpad model 390e. Works fine, am using Windows ME (prev was 98se) the problem I am having is charging the batteries. I first replaced the battery with a new LI-Ion battery, it always indicated it was charging but none the less it discharged ( while plugged in to AC) got a new metal hyd adn shows it is charging but does not charge.

anyone got any Ideas?

gene

[no1_vern]

Hi Gmitch,
Welcome to Techimo!

This issue can be caused by any of the following possibilities:

Battery is bad.
Youve already changed so I dont think this is it.

Computer AC / DC cable is bad not allowing the computer battery to charge.
I dont think this is your problem. You have already run the computer while the battery continues discharging but to Verify that the AC and or DC cable is not bad by testing the computer with only the power plug connected and remove the battery from laptop. If the thinkpad doesnt work replace the cable.

This I think is your problem:

Battery charger board is bad.
In which case you will need expensive repairs to fix the problem.

If its under any sort of warranty return the Thinkpad if not, get ready to spend bucks to make repairs.

[gmitch]

n01_vern Thanks for the reply,Yes the Batteries are new and the ac dc supply and cable are fine, as I said the batteries indicate they are charging via the battery monitor but they make no progress charging. I suspect you are correct in that there is a hardware problem, the computer works fine and rarely do I need batteries, I use it mostly in a vehicle with 12v supply. thanks

[gino717]

I have a 310ed with the same problem. It began after I formatted and changed to windows me. Previous os was windows 98. Now that I read your post I think the problem might be OS related. I will let you know if I find anything and would hope you will do same.

[gmitch]

Yes I will let you know, I have installed a different drive with ME on it but I have the original drive with 98 on it, I will stick it in and see, I do not remember if I tried the new battery before I switched operating systems or not, I do know that either the original battery either was not good or it had this problem when I got it. I bought the laptop used.

[hickory]

just curious if you tried the new hard drive and did it work?

[gmitch]

I have removed the newer hard drive with ME on it and installed the original equipment drive with all of the factory drivers and win 98se and it makes no difference, seems either to be the DC to DC board or maybe the systems board. Going to put another DC to DC board in and try that. I usually use either ac or dc (13.8v) but would be nice to be able to use the batteries.

[gmitch]

I solved the problem, I replaced the DC-DC card in the laptop and now all batteries charge fine. I picked up a used card on e bay for about 8 bucks ( new ones for the 390 are not bad) it was and evening job to disasemble and reasemble the laptop, I also found the service manual on a CD on E bay which helped a bunch.
Thanks for all the replies.