HP TC1100 battery charges, but doesn't power it

I have recently acquired a second-hand HP/Compaq TC1100, which except for the battery, is in perfect condition. The problem with the battery is that even though the battery charges fine, and all three lights on the back of it light up when the button is pressed (to see the current charge), the battery does not power the tc1100 and it immediately turns of whenever the power cable is removed, instead of running on the battery. If it matters, I am running Ubuntu 10.10, as it was the only debian-based linux distro that I found that came with the wacom drivers and the wifi drivers out of the box. Also, in addition to charging properly, the software says that it's charging, and can get all the information about the battery (charge, serial number, etc). This would lead me to believe that some contacts of the battery aren't working, but I have the battery screwed in and it doesn't budge. Maybe the charging board is fried? Any help would be appreciated.

System Specs (In case they are needed):
OS: Ubuntu 10.10, Linux Kernel 2.6.35
CPU: Pentium M 1ghz
RAM: 512MB (The onboard ram)
If it makes any difference, I'm using the stylus from a TC4400, and a HP PPP09S charger (18.5v, 3.5a)

Reply 1 : HP TC1100 battery charges, but doesn't power it

I TRIED TO HOOK UP A NETGEAR WIRELESS ADAPTER TO MY DELL INSPIRON N7010 PURCHASED AT XMAS. THE CLERK AT BEST BUY SAID IT WOULD WOULD ON MY LAPTOP SINCE IT HAD AN iNTEL i3 CHIP. WHEN I TRIED TO START IT UP I HAD NO CONNECTION. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THE DELL N7010 HAS WIDI BUILT IN?? ANY WAY TO GET IT UPGRADED TO RECEIVE WIRELESS DISPLAY??

Reply 2 : HP TC1100 battery charges, but doesn't power it

You need to get that CAPS LOCK button on your computer fixed.

In any case your post has nothing to do with laptop batteries, the problem mentioned in the first post, so no help can be given in this discussion.

I suggest you create your own thread once you have got your keyboard sorted out.

Most of today's Dell Inspiron 17R N7010's come with wireless built in. Did yours?

Mark

Reply 3 : HP TC1100 battery charges, but doesn't power it

MarkFlax there is nothing wrong with my KEYBOARD. If you have nothing positive or helpful to write then don't. I posted to the thread because I could not find the link to begin a new thread, not that I owe YOU an explanation.

Reply 4 : HP TC1100 battery charges, but doesn't power it

One, fix your keyboard or stop using all caps. If you don't you will get replies about that.

Second, don't hijack other discussions. Create your own so folk will write about your issue and not get confused about the topic.
Bob

Reply 5 : HP TC1100 battery charges, but doesn't power it

I would have to assume that on a system that old, the battery has long since been consumed, and it has simply failed due to old age.

Most laptop batteries are good for around 300 charge cycles (full to empty), and if yours is just now starting to fail, then you should count yourself lucky because you got the iron man of batteries.

You should probably now remove the battery from the system, because once it's failed like this the next stage is a gradual swelling of the internal power cells. Those will eventually cause permanent structural damage to the laptop, and possibly even rupture causing hot battery acid to start leaking out. Great way to ruin a weekend. It's also possible, though considerably less likely, that the battery could simply explode. Any of these things could happen tomorrow or ten years from now, but they WILL happen... And probably a lot closer to tomorrow than 10 years. Take the battery out, and maybe call around to see if any local retailers will take it for recycling. You can then choose to either run the system without a battery, or see if you can find a third party battery to replace it.