hp charge problem

TIP: Post how "old" an item is... and "how" you've been "using" the battery....

Example, are you: Charging it UP and removing from A/C, or leaving the battery in ALL the time while on A/C power. Or removing the battery while using the machine on A/C power, etc.

By the specs and you saying you've been running Linux on it for over a year now I'd say the battery needs to be replaced. (Battery is over a year old)

Battery, depending on how it's used will last about a year +/-

Breakdown of machine ? On most HP's/Compaq's you can go to www.hp.com, type in the model number and get a pdf of the Maintance and Service Guide.

Links which "may" have some useful info:
http://www.laptop-repair.info/index.html
http://schwinger.harvard.edu/~motl/h...classical.html

Here's a manual that may help, give you some ideas:

http://schwinger.harvard.edu/~motl/h...ard/manual.pdf

I have a quite old HP Laptop (Pavilion N3210, AMD K6 433MHz), yet it occasionally has the same problem. What I discovered is that, on a regular basis (About once every three to six months), the battery needs to be "recalibrated". If this isn't done, it can cause the power meter to, for some unknown reason, begin to slip. In the end, even though the battery actually is at 100%, the meter may only read 80% (As is my case), or in more extreme instances, 30% like for you.

My model of laptop included a "battery learning utility". It's a program that boots from floppy or CD. I connect the AC adapter, insert the learning utility disk, then turn on the computer. What it'll do then is run the battery all the way down to absolutely empty (Or as close as possible without flatlining the battery). Then, it'll charge the battery all the way to full. After it is done, it adjusts 0% and 100% accordingly, thereby recalibrating the power meter to where it should be.

Without knowing exactly which model of R3200 you have (R3202, R3205, etc.), it's hard to say for certain. However, I imagine Compaq/HP might have a similar battery learning and calibration utility for your model. Check the HP website, if there is one, that's where you should be able to download it from. If you can't find it on there, then check the manual that came with your laptop, because it could be built in to the BIOS or some other diagnostic program included with the system, and the manual might tell you where to find it.

A battery in a laptop ages more quickly than in other applications because of heat. During use, the inside temperature of a laptop rises to 45°C (113°F). The combination of high temperature and full state-of-charge promotes cell oxidation, a condition that cannot be reversed once present. The battery's life expectancy when operating at high temperature is half compared to running at a more moderate 20°C (68°F) or lower. Leaving the laptop in a parked car under the hot sun will also aggravate the situation. All batteries suffer permanent capacity loss as part of elevated temperatures but lithium-ion is affected more than other batteries.

How to calibrate the battery

If possible, store the battery in a cool place at about a 40% state-of-charge. Some reserve charge is needed to keep the battery and its protection circuit operational during prolonged storage. The most harmful combination is full charge at high temperature. This is the case when placing a cell phone or spare battery in a hot car. Running a laptop computer on the mains has a similar temperature problem. While the battery is kept fully charged, the inside temperature during operation rises to 45°C (113°F).

Removing the battery From the laptop when running on fixed power protects the battery From heat but some battery and laptop manufacturers caution against it. They say that dust and moisture accumulating inside the battery casing could damage the laptop. The dealers will be happy to provide you with a new pack when a replacement is needed a little sooner.

The question is often asked if one should disconnect the laptop From the main when not in use. With lithium-ion it does not matter. Once the battery is fully charged, no further charge is applied. It is recommended, however, to turn the laptop off overnight because of heat harms the battery.