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.