Thinkpad 755CX Battery Problem?

Thad Noles

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Oct 2, 2001, 10:25:39 AM10/2/01

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This has been an ongoing problem, so maybe you guys have some ideas:

I recently purchased a Thinkpad 755CX via Ebay. The Thinkpad had no
operating system, so I installed MS-DOS 6.22, then I attempted to install
Windows 3.1. During the installation, the system would freeze if the
trackpoint was enabled. I posted previously about this and it was
recommended that I update the BIOS (which I believe is the correct step).

But now here's the problem. In order to upgrade the BIOS, the Thinkpad
requires that a charged battery be in place along with the AC adapter
plugged in (just in case, I suppose). Since the old battery was shot, I
bought a lithium ion battery as a replacement. It arrived and I plugged it
in. The thinkpad would not turn on, so I assumed the new battery had no
charge. I currently have the machine off with the AC adapter plugged in in
an attempt to charge the battery.

But now I'm not sure it's working correctly. The battery LED and the charge
LED both flash green at intervals of about 5-6 seconds. As far as I can tell
from the manual, this indicates that the battery is being discharged before
being charged. Do you think this is correct? It has been doing this for
about 24 hours. Does it take that long to "discharge" a battery with
apparantly no charge? Any information or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Thad

Stephe

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Oct 3, 2001, 12:51:07 AM10/3/01

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Thad Noles wrote:

No it doesn't. Sounds like a dead battery and this CAN hurt your system. Do
you have the utility that shows the battery state of charge installed? If
so boot the system and see what it shows if anything with it plugged in.

--

Stephe

JHEM

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Oct 3, 2001, 2:43:12 PM10/3/01

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"Thad Noles" <tjn...@nc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:9pcip...@enews1.newsguy.com...

> But now I'm not sure it's working correctly. The battery LED and the
charge
> LED both flash green at intervals of about 5-6 seconds. As far as I can
tell
> from the manual, this indicates that the battery is being discharged
before
> being charged. Do you think this is correct? It has been doing this for
> about 24 hours. Does it take that long to "discharge" a battery with
> apparantly no charge? Any information or ideas would be greatly
appreciated.

One of two things, you either have a duff battery, or the battery is so flat
that the 755CX charging circuit isn't recognizing it correctly.

I had a bunch of 755 LiION batteries come through a while ago that had sat
on a shelf for a long time and were totally flat. Putting them in any of my
755CDs or 755CXs gave the same response you're seeing with a bunch of
flashing lights evident, but no charging. On a hunch I stuck one in an
85G1522 Travel Quick Charger and it charged right up.

Once I had "conditioned" all the batteries in the quick charger, they all
were recognized and charged properly in the 755CDs and CXs.

Regards,

James

Thad Noles

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Oct 3, 2001, 6:36:32 PM10/3/01

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Thanks for the response, guys. I'll check it out w/ a charger.

"JHEM" <James@NO_SPAM.thinkpads.com> wrote in message
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Thad Noles

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Oct 3, 2001, 9:19:22 PM10/3/01

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Good call on the travel charger suggestion. The battery is working now.

Thanks!

"Thad Noles" <tjn...@nc.rr.com> wrote in message

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