laptop battery issue

[sweetbmxrider]

dell inspiron 600m with a brand new genuine dell battery. computer doesn't recognize a battery is in there and will only operate on ac power. wtf :|

[Green_Phoenix_LT1]

Doesnt look good if your not still under warranty.

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/16881317.aspx

[Stevoone]

I had the same issue with an older Dell laptop. Turned out to be the battery/AC controller card. I was able to find a replacement on Ebay fairly cheap. Wasn't too hard to replace either.

[WildBillyT]

Battery is probably old and shot from too many charges.

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

dell inspiron 600m with a brand new genuine dell battery.

Battery is probably old and shot from too many charges.

:lol:

[WildBillyT]

:lol:

Reading FTW. My bad. It's a knee jerk response from dealing with them at work.

[Knipps]

I don't blame you WBT, that seems to be the case with my current laptop.

[sweetbmxrider]

Doesnt look good if your not still under warranty.

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/16881317.aspx

that blows :-x

I had the same issue with an older Dell laptop. Turned out to be the battery/AC controller card. I was able to find a replacement on Ebay fairly cheap. Wasn't too hard to replace either.

do you have a link to what it would be or how i can find the correct one? i'm pretty newb at computer organs. thanks 8-)

[Stevoone]

I looked around last night and wasn't able to find much for that model. My old laptop had a Battery Controller Card, I'm not sure but it looks like they made that part of the motherboard on the newer models.

There were motherboards for your model on Ebay, and if you search on the Dell support page they have detailed replacement procedures.

[sweetbmxrider]

cool i'll check that out. i saw on the help forum that people recommend reinstalling the BIOS so i downloaded it and try to run it but i get an error message saying make sure the ac adapter and battery are plugged in then click continue. i guess i'm SOL there?

[Tru2Chevy]

cool i'll check that out. i saw on the help forum that people recommend reinstalling the BIOS so i downloaded it and try to run it but i get an error message saying make sure the ac adapter and battery are plugged in then click continue. i guess i'm SOL there?

Look in the BIOS install README file. Should have instructions on how to force the update regardless of power status.

- Justin

[sweetbmxrider]

Run the BIOS update utility from Windows environment


1. Double click the Icon on your desktop labeled I600mA17.exe.
The Dell BIOS Flash window appears


2. Click the Continue button.
The message Pressing OK will close all applications, shut down Windows, Flash the BIOS, then reboot. appears.


3. Click the OK button.
The system will restart and the BIOS Flash will be completed.



Run the BIOS update utility from DOS environment (Non-Windows users)


NOTE: You will need to provide a bootable DOS diskette. This executable file does not create the DOS system files.


1. Copy the file I600mA17.exe to a bootable floppy.


2. Boot from the floppy to the DOS prompt.


3. Run the file by typing Y:\I600mA17.exe (where y is the drive letter where the executable is located).

so i have to put the file i downloaded on a floppy? cause i only have a disc drive? or can it be written to a cd?

[Stevoone]

You should be able to run the BIOS update from windows.

Can you get past the error for the battery when you try to update? Some laptops require an operational battery to prevent damage to the BIOS ROM. If you lose power while it is trying to update it may fry the chip, I've had it happen on some older computers.

some good info here http://www.bay-wolf.com/bios.htm . There is a DOS command on that page that will force the update regardless of the battery. Just make sure you have a stable power source.

[sweetbmxrider]

yup, we were talking about it in chat last night. i was downloading the one program to write the cd correctly but i fell asleep :lol: i'll give it a go later today. the ac adapter has worked flawlessly for years.

[sweetbmxrider]

i got the BIOS to update to A17 last night, nothing changed :(

[Green_Phoenix_LT1]

Time for a new laptop or new MB.

[sweetbmxrider]

ya i just wanted to bring it on vacation. oh wells!