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Laptop won't run on battery power

post #1 of 31
11/9/09 at 5:32am
Thread Starter 
I've had this problem for years, since I bought this computer new. It has never run on battery power, even out of the box. I should have sent it back but was too impatient and figured there must be a solution. If the computer becomes unplugged while on, the screen goes black and it becomes unresponsive. The same happens if it is booted without being plugged in. If booted on battery power, it will indeed begin the booting process and load right up until the point that the desktop should appear, at which time the screen remains black. Rather than totally shutting off, the hardware and fan will still be powered on and evidently running during these situations. It will not go into standby by pushing the power button and cannot be brought back to life in any way, even if AC power is reintroduced, unless rebooted. The only way to turn it off is to hold the power button down for several seconds until it shuts down and then it can be restarted. I have run the Battery Learning Software twice and it has made no difference. There is a test button on the battery itself which indicates that it is fully charged. The light in the front of the computer indicates that the battery is fully charged (blue light rather than pink). Battery gauging software has also indicated that the battery has a 100% charge. Battery is properly seated in the laptop. Please advise on any possible method of repairing this problem. It's getting irritating after all these years. Every time the plug gets disconnected, even for a moment, you have to reboot and you lose all your unsaved info! Thanks for your time.

Dan
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post #2 of 31
11/9/09 at 5:33am
Thread Starter 
Oh, it's an S7700N. Thanks again.

Dan
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post #3 of 31
11/9/09 at 6:04am
Hi Dan, I personally would try to borrow another battery and see. Symptom does point to a failing battery.

cheers ...
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post #4 of 31
11/9/09 at 6:55am
You can use say Notebook Hardware Control, it is free. It will tell you if your battery can even hold a charge? Try that and see if the batt is fried? You say many things that confuse me. But start there to rule in or out.
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post #5 of 31
11/9/09 at 12:37pm
Thread Starter 
I have used similar programs. That's what I meant when I said "Battery gauging software has also indicated that the battery has a 100% charge."

What's confusing? I'd be glad to clarify. I'd also be very happy to test a different battery to see if that changes things, but I don't know anybody with a matching battery.

Like I said, on the battery itself, if you remove it, there's a little button to push to test the charge. A series of green lights light up signifying how charged the battery is, from no charge to fully charged. Mine reads fully charged. Also, after the computer has sat without being plugged in, the charging indicator lights up pink, signifying that the battery is charging. After a few minutes, it turns to blue, signifying a full charge. So it's not as if there's any evidence to support the idea that the battery doesn't hold a charge. Still, I agree that a new battery may solve it. I don't know if it's quite worth the $70 I've seen them go for, though. Maybe I can find a cheaper or used one. Any good sources? Thanks again,

Dan
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post #6 of 31
11/9/09 at 1:17pm
Thread Starter 
Okay, let me riddle you guys this. Is there a way to tell exactly what kind of battery your computer needs? I'm just getting so confused about this. If you go here, for example, you see three totally different batteries listed for my computer, S7700N. That's just one example. Everywhere I go has multiple batteries listed for this model, and so many different combinations of voltages and mAhs, even with matching part numbers! How could that be so? And is there any way to possibly identify the exactly correct kind of battery that my computer needs? Or doesn't it really matter? If it's the right size and has the correct amount of pins, are the specifications allowed to vary all while still being compatible with the computer?

Thanks,
Dan
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post #7 of 31
11/9/09 at 1:22pm
You can try Amazon or post a query here and Patrick can get back to you:

http://www.notebookforums.com/forum365.html

cheers ...
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post #8 of 31
11/9/09 at 1:35pm
Thread Starter 
My battery is an 8 cell, 14.4V, 4800mAh. This place lists an 8 cell for the S7700N as being a 14.8V, 5000mAh. Why the discrepency, and again, does it matter? Will the computer run on either?

Dan
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post #9 of 31
11/9/09 at 1:42pm
What is your Gateway model?

cheers ...
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post #10 of 31
11/9/09 at 1:50pm
Thread Starter 
S7700N

Dan
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post #11 of 31
11/9/09 at 2:02pm
Thread Starter 
I found a used one for a pretty good price that I would consider picking up. It's specifications list it as being compatible both with my existing battery PN and with my computer.

My old one is 8MSB, 14.4V, 4800mAh.
New one is 8MSBG, 14.8V, 5200mAh.

Do you guys suppose it'll work? Also, can I assume my existing battery charger will work with it as well? Thanks again.

Dan
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post #12 of 31
11/9/09 at 2:07pm
I am not so much concerned about the amperage, the more here the better. Voltage is a different beast.

I checked and most of the replacements mention 14.8V, so we can hope that it is safe. Your Adapter will be fine.

cheers ...
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post #13 of 31
11/9/09 at 2:18pm
Thread Starter 
I might give that one a shot, then. Thanks for your time, much obliged.

Dan
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post #14 of 31
11/9/09 at 2:31pm
Good lucks Dan.

cheers ...
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post #15 of 31
11/9/09 at 6:20pm
Thread Starter 
This is all Gateway has to say about the problem:

I can understand the situation you are going through, however, I am extremely sorry to inform you that as per Gateway policy we are unable to provide any support for MPC customer. All service and support for your product is being handled by MPC. For product information, downloads, installation questions, and e-Mail or chat support, please contact MPC at the following address:

http://support.mpccorp.com.

For all your support needs please contact MPC toll free at 877-485-1464.


I never even heard of MPC, though my computer must have come from them in some form or another. Too bad that they don't exist any more and that both this web address and phone number are inactive. I told them to inform their supervisors to stop sending customers inactive links and phone numbers, though I somehow doubt that anything will change overnight. They built the computers, why can't they provide support?

Dan
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post #16 of 31
11/9/09 at 6:30pm
mpccorp did take over the support for Gateway,

http://www.gateway.com/about/news_info/transition.php

But right after this MPC went into liquidation, so customers are being left in a limbo. Hopefully Acer will take a 2nd look into this and straight things out.

We are trying here at NBF what we can for the members though

cheers ...
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post #17 of 31
11/9/09 at 6:32pm
Don't be surprised however, Gateway is known for killing off companies that they assimilate eMachines, now MPC ...

They do put out some good solid machines now and then. Most of us here are still buying and using Gateway.

cheers ...
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post #18 of 31
11/9/09 at 9:09pm
Thread Starter 
The computer has served me extremely well and I'm very pleased with it. The issue stated is the only one I've ever had with it. It's many years old and still very fast. I doubt support could have done anything for me anyway. My only assumption is that the hardware is the problem, and I doubt they'd have sent me a replacement battery for free. You guys have been great!

Dan
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post #19 of 31
11/12/09 at 7:34pm
it looks just like a NX850/860, you could always try a battery from one of those. it could be the battery causing the issue but I am going to lean towards the mainboard on this one.

best of luck.
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post #20 of 31
11/13/09 at 12:23am
Dangerous sorry did not get back sooner. I guess I was not as clear as I wanted to be in first post about say Notebook Hardware control. I do not want to know the % charged. This is very important. If the battery can only hold 1% of the original charge when new, at that moment 1% of original capacity is now 100% charge. My battery has wear it can no longer hold full original charge. But when it gets to the max it can currently hold it still says 100%. Do you see how that 100% is meaningless as gives no quantity. What's more 100% of 1 or 1% of 100? Yea the same? The application I mentioned tells things like actual quantity of charge and even wear level.

I thought this was very important to rule things in or out. I still need to know to comment. 100% charge tells me nothing, a batt that cannot hold a charge is 100% charged with 0. I am confused by the fact your lights on the battery do still work and the notebook posts on batt? Also you say it has been since new? A three year old battery not being able to hold an adequate charge is common, less so on new batt.

Michelle's thoughts on mainboard is entirely possible. But the fact battery seems to be recognized. Does start charging and can post and fire up are strange to say the least. MoBo failure more likely all or nothing most times. Meaning the battery might as well not even be in? But MoBo is still maybe the problem. Like I said first time confusing.

I am hoping that what I suggested shows the battery cannot hold adequate charge. That would indicate the battery is the problem. If so I would feel comfortable recommending replace. If all tests showed battery not the issue I would likely recommend not wasting $70 on a replacement. I would go more toward Michelle's thoughts.

You need to do some diagnostics. Please try and answer what I asked about the batt not just the % charge. Ruling out is just as important as ruling in.

On your question of 14.4v vs 14.8v is of no concern. The system can handle the voltage. Have a look at your AC adapter, what like 19v? 14.8v will not damage your notebook as it can clearly handle higher.

Here is how it works. Your batt is made of cells correct? With batteries all whether flashlight or other. You can either connect in series or parallel. If I take two batteries say 1.5v flashlight batts and wire parallel I get the same voltage 1.5v of course I get more capacity than just one but that is it. Now if I take the same two and connect in series my voltage goes to 3v? Lithium cells if you look up used to be about 3.2v according to wiki. Looks like they have gotten better. My 6 cell is 11.1v. So my cells are 3.7v, X3=11.1v. So my 6 cell connects 2 groups of 3. That gives the desired voltage and the second group connected does not alter voltage but adds capacity. You have 8 cells with 4 in series to get a voltage and the second group parallel to add capacity. The cells from 14.4v (3.6x4=14.4) jumped to 14.8v (3.7x4=14.8) not a big deal. And an improvement.

Good luck.
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