Battery life

[Brownlow]

I didn't use my laptop on battery power, until well after the warranty had run out. When I did, I found that the battery lasted a few seconds before becoming completely flat, despite the computer telling me that it was fully charged and even giving me the battery life...on standby, or in use. When I plug it into the mains it take a while to recharge.

So, I don't know if I should buy a new battery, or have the laptop seen to, in case there's a fault, which is causing the battery to discharge, after such a short time.

I read, recently, that having a laptop connnected to the mains, for long periods, with the barttey still connected, could effect its life, considerably.
Can anyone confirm this, or positively refute it?

[fo3nix]

Yes entirely.

Batteries like to be charged and discharged semi-regularly. Not doing this can affect the battery's life.

Assuming it is the battery, get a new one and see if it helps. But if you've not had cause to use it on battery in the past year, perhaps you won't this year either. Thus, perhaps don't bother buying a battery at all, if you accept that you have to use it as a desktop machine.

[Brownlow]

Thanks, fo3nix.
I would like to use the laptop, away from home, and on battery power, but haven't been able to, because of the problem that I described.
Of course, new batteries are not cheap. So, I hope that it is the cause of the trouble...fingers crossed, eh?

[fo3nix]

Yea, guess so.

If you know of a friend with a laptop that carries the same battery (make sure it's just right!), then try that before ordering.

But otherwise, I guess it's fingers crossed.

It certainly seems like the most likely situation.

[LeMarchand]

Visit the manufacturer's site, they sometimes offer a bit of "battery check" software.

[Brownlow]

Thanks guys.
I've ordered a new battery, from 'Global Batteries', which only cost about �40. So, I'll have to see what happens.