Group:

I recently had a problem with a Toshiba Tecra 9000 (PT900U-092HS8) 
when trying to operate with the battery installed.

  1. With NO battery installed everything works with no problems other 
than being tethered to the AC adapter.

  2. I've tested the AC adapter (nominal 15VDC/6A) and the voltage, 15 
VDC, is correct with no load and under a dummy load drawing ~5 Amps.

  3. With the system OFF and no battery installed but the AC adapter 
plugged in; the Green Power LED comes on as expected. If I then 
install the battery the Battery LED turns orange (inidicating 
charging) for a short time then turns OFF without changing to green 
(which would indicat a fully charged battery).

  4. If I remove the AC adapter and try to start using only the 
battery I MUST use the power on button even though with the AC adapter 
it will come out of Hibernation when the cover is opened. At best it 
will give a second or so of fan noise and LED flash when on battery 
only. When I do stare via the power button it starts up just as if it 
has come out of hibernation; all windows open as when last in use.

  5. If the system is running with both the AC adapter and the battery 
installed the Battery LED will turn orange (indicating charging) for a 
longer period than in #3 (several minutes). While charging (LED = 
orange) the battery monitor program correctly identifies the battery 
and gives a reasonable number for the % of charge. However, eventually 
the battery LED turns OFF and the Battery monitor program reports "Not 
Installed". Removing and reinstalling the battery will repete this 
sequence of events.

  6. Once running with the battery "recognized" I can remove the AC 
adapter and the system will continue to run.

Perhaps relevent information;

  - The battery is just over a year old and has gotten only light use.

  - The system recently sat off but plugged in with the battery 
charging for several weeks.

  - A second (older) battery gives the same results. (This battery 
gives less than hour of use - Hence the newer battery.)

  - OS is Windows 2000 Pro. Recently recieved and installed a few new 
updates from Microsoft.

  - I've tried "Deep Cycling" the battery by letting it become 
compleatly discharged (Command prompt only mode) and then recharging. 
Interestingly enough it will often recharge from this state with no 
problems.

  - I also entered the CMOS/BIOS setup via Esc-F1 and looked for 
relevent power configuration settings but did not find anything.

  * Recently everything has started working normally with the battery 
recognized and charging as normal. I would, however, very much like to 
understand what was going on.  This laptop is old but serves me well 
and I would not mind putting a modest amount of money (~$100) into 
fixing a real problem. I am also comfortable with taking the thing 
appart and tinkering if something has come loose or needs cleaned.

Any suggestions, or even WAGs, are welcome.

John


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'' Madness takes its toll - Please have exact change. ''

  John Dulak - Gnomeway Services - http://tinyurl.com/2qs6o6