Toshiba a40 battery indicator problem

mikeyslaptops · 06-17-2006, 04:42 PM

have a satellite a40 with what i think is a software problem
the power meter says the battery is dead but the LED's light up as if charging and changes to green when fully charged
disconnect power supply and it still says battery dead but it runs fine for 2hours off battery
CONFUSED

**Joefireline** · 06-17-2006, 04:47 PM

What software are you using?
Try reinstalling the software.

mikeyslaptops · 06-17-2006, 04:51 PM

have put xp home on first then re installed it, then tried xp pro all do same

**hwm54112** · 06-18-2006, 10:21 AM

Check in bios (and in manual) for calibration/recalibration procedure. There are generic ways of doing it but it's possible to damage the "smart battery" circuitry on some batteries

**laboye** · 06-19-2006, 07:49 PM

It would appear to me that the "smart" chipset is damaged or broken. Since the a40's battery uses harder to reach prongs, I suggest removing the battery and cleaning the contacts.

It would also seem that the smart chipset is partially functional, as the hardware can tell the battery's status. I haven't heard of a problem this large, but if this is a reinstallation of the OS, the a40 may require you in install Toshiba's ACPI Common Modules. If not, Impact Computers has replacement batteries available.

http://www.impactcomputers.com/toshi...ite-parts.html

Select your model (On the bottom on a silver sticker) and select "Power Supply".

Keep in mind that if the computer continues to charge a lithium cell that has reached its full capacity, the cell will be irreversibly damaged. In rare occasions, the cell may also short out the other lithium cells. I suggest prompt replacement.

06-17-2006, 04:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
mikeyslaptops Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 7 OS: xp	Toshiba a40 battery indicator problem have a satellite a40 with what i think is a software problem the power meter says the battery is dead but the LED's light up as if charging and changes to green when fully charged disconnect power supply and it still says battery dead but it runs fine for 2hours off battery CONFUSED

06-17-2006, 04:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
Joefireline Enthusiastic TSFer~Joseph Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Portishead (Bristol) England Posts: 5,319 OS: Windows 7 64bit(Desktop) / XP Home SP2(laptop) My System	What software are you using? Try reinstalling the software.

06-17-2006, 04:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
mikeyslaptops Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 7 OS: xp	have put xp home on first then re installed it, then tried xp pro all do same

06-18-2006, 10:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
hwm54112 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 2,233 OS: WINXP	Check in bios (and in manual) for calibration/recalibration procedure. There are generic ways of doing it but it's possible to damage the "smart battery" circuitry on some batteries

06-19-2006, 07:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
laboye TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hollywood, FL Posts: 1,246 OS: Windows xp Pro/Vista Beta 2/Ubuntu 6.06 LTS My System	It would appear to me that the "smart" chipset is damaged or broken. Since the a40's battery uses harder to reach prongs, I suggest removing the battery and cleaning the contacts. It would also seem that the smart chipset is partially functional, as the hardware can tell the battery's status. I haven't heard of a problem this large, but if this is a reinstallation of the OS, the a40 may require you in install Toshiba's ACPI Common Modules. If not, Impact Computers has replacement batteries available. http://www.impactcomputers.com/toshi...ite-parts.html Select your model (On the bottom on a silver sticker) and select "Power Supply". Keep in mind that if the computer continues to charge a lithium cell that has reached its full capacity, the cell will be irreversibly damaged. In rare occasions, the cell may also short out the other lithium cells. I suggest prompt replacement.