Green LCD flashes red in sets of three?

[cloasters]

After spending two hours updating my AV and Anti-spyware progs and scanning the HDD of my Dell Inspiron B130 laptop, all the while plugged in to mains power, things got weird. Soon after reaching 100% charged up, the green LCD that normally blinks red when the battery gets quite low started blinking red three times, turning green for one flash, and then three blinks of red, to green once, etc. The machine sat unused for four months. Unplugging the mains power made it stop acting strange, but connecting it to power made it continue with its confusing unsettling red flashes.

Anyone have a clue? Much thanks!

[robbie]

Take the battery out and try to power it up.

[Aedan]

Like Robbie says, try removing the battery and then re-inserting it.

[cloasters]

With the battery removed, plugging in to mains power runs the machine fine, with no weird red and green flashes from the aforementioned LCD. The red and green fiesta is displayed when running on the battery only, or with the battery in place while plugged in to the wall socket. Further suggestions would be very nice, thanks!

[Strongwolf]

New battery, perhaps????

[cloasters]

~$135 from Dell, plus 1 to 2 weeks delivery. Should have known that it wouldn't be reasonable! Anyone know if I can get the battery elsewhere? I'm well out of warranty, fwiw.
Oh yeah, the normally green LCD flashes: one green, FOUR reds, then one green, four times red, one green, yada. Not three reds as formerly posted. Thanks for the answers, y'all! More suggestions would be great.

[Samuknow]

there are plenty of after market battery sellers on the net. i have used a few in the states. much more reasonable prices.

[cloasters]

Thanks Sam. So brand x batteries are just as good as Dell's?

[Samuknow]

Pretty much. I have never had an issue with them. HP or any other replacement I have done either.

[Gizmo]

Originally Posted by cloasters

Thanks Sam. So brand x batteries are just as good as Dell's?

Without knowing the exact model of the UPS, I can't tell you with certainty what battery pack you'll need. However, we have an outfit here called 'Battery Outfitters'. They specialize in selling batteries of all types: cars, motorcycles, lawnmowers, fork lifts, you name it. I'm sure you can find a similar outfit around your area. Take them the UPS, and they will be able to provide you with a battery pack that will fit.

Alternatively, if you can figure out how to get the battery pack out yourself, you can remove it and take them just the battery pack.

[cloasters]

Looks like the laptop will be sans battery for a while. It's always something, written for the seven hundredth time, LOL!

[robbie]

Originally Posted by cloasters

~$135 from Dell, plus 1 to 2 weeks delivery. Should have known that it wouldn't be reasonable! Anyone know if I can get the battery elsewhere? I'm well out of warranty, fwiw.
Oh yeah, the normally green LCD flashes: one green, FOUR reds, then one green, four times red, one green, yada. Not three reds as formerly posted. Thanks for the answers, y'all! More suggestions would be great.

Laptop batteries and parts for Dell, HP, Compaq, Toshiba, Sony, IBM, and Lenovo. Laptop battery, lcd screen and hard drive store. Talk with Creig, (ext 123) tell him Rob Rodgers sent you.

I found it on there site for $69.
Link.

[cloasters]

Thank you, Rob! Bookmarked the site. I have to wait until Mr Eagle flies again--always something! BTW, is there anything wrong with running the laptop on mains power, without the battery in it? Prolly dumb Q, sorry.

[robbie]

NP George, I've know Creig for at least 10 years (if not longer) He can hook ya up and help ya out.

Not really. But there IS a problem if you NEVER run you laptop on the battery. Basically the battery DOES need some excersize every now and then.

Try this, power on your laptop with the battery in, and then pull the power cord. The laptop will probably die right away. Plug back in let me completely charge back up and do it again. After about 10 times (maybe more) the laptop might stay on for a second or two. Keep doing this till the laptop stays on for a long time.

I've done this on my old Compaq laptop and it worked great. Took me over the weekend to do it but it did work.

Now with yours... your battery might just be sooo far gone it won't work.

[cloasters]

The software "charge meter" says that the battery is at 100%. Confusing, at least for me. Thanks for your help!

[robbie]

Yeah, but I don't know if that is based on current or voltage. ( probably voltage) It's the sustained current ya want though. ( as well as voltage)