The last laptop I saw that required the battery to start was over 10 years 
ago.
Terry

"Ken" <ken@invalid.com> wrote in message 
news:mZednXdTTcVH-fjVnZ2dnUVZ_jidnZ2d@comcast.com...
> My son sent me the above computer due to the DC power connector having 
> come loose from the MB.  (A very common problem from what I have read.) I 
> repaired the connector but the battery appears to be weak/bad.  The 
> computer did boot if I charged the battery outside of the computer and 
> installed it, but rapidly lost its charge.
>
> My question is that at the site below Toshiba implies that the computer 
> should start WITHOUT the battery installed.  Does anyone know if this is 
> true?  Many laptops I have seen refuse to start unless the battery is 
> installed.  I hate to recommend a new battery if the charging circuit or 
> something else is also bad.  The comments from Toshiba can be found at the 
> link below, and clicking on the link on that page that says:
>
> 98080952 Computer will not turn on
>
>
> http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/su/su_sc_dtlView.jsp?soid=192203&BV_SessionID=@@@@1195091184.1214507004@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccjadeehgkfedecgfkceghdgngdgnn.0&pf=true
>
>
>
> "3. Connect the AC Adapter to the computer. Leave the battery out of the 
> computer. Try turning the computer on again. If the computer starts 
> normally, the battery may need charging, may be depleted, or may be 
> defective. Turn the computer on, insert the battery, and then leave the 
> computer running for several hours, which will deliver a slow, steady 
> 'trickle-charge' to the battery. Once the battery has been 
> trickle-charged, it may begin working correctly again. If the 
> trickle-charging does not prove effective, see our Support Bulletin 
> Step-Charging the computer's battery."
>
> Thanks.