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    Charging..when Permanently Plugged

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by kylerg, Jan 25, 2008.

  1. kylerg

    kylerg Notebook Consultant

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    I just had a strange issue that I do not ever remember observing until tonight. After doing my usual insomniac surfing I decide it is finally time to attempt slumber.

    I power off the notebook and alas, a green light catches my eye. Was it the HDD indicator showing some last bit activity of Windows shutting down? No! It was the battery indicator. This is strange, I think to myself, as I am always plugged in. I reboot and look at the battery power program. One bar reading 99% and another 98% showing either "charging" "complete in 4 minutes" and "complete in 6 minutes." At least 5 minutes (perhaps less but anxious minutes) and similar descriptions.

    What is going on? I close the lip and inspect the bottom. I had leaned it over to read the service tag (for a ridiculous story that could span more paragraphs) and check to see if anything is loose. Can't find anything strange.

    Then it finally finishes charging. Was there some phantom activity, something loose or just a random quirk in something?
     
    kylerg, Jan 25, 2008
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  2. Soulburner

    Soulburner Notebook Evangelist

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    Any recent power problems at your place?
     
    Soulburner, Jan 25, 2008
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  3. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    I don't know the specific arrangements for Dell notebooks, but most notebooks are set to not keep the battery continuously topped up but only trigger a recharge when the charge level drops below a defined value (eg 95%). This avoids the battery getting worn out by lots of little top-up charges. Your notebook might have just reached the threshold for a top-up.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Jan 25, 2008
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  4. Mt9

    Mt9 Notebook Consultant

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    mine new 1530 did the exact same thing and ran pretty slowly. turns out my ac adaptor was too loose. opted to replace system.
     
    Mt9, Jan 25, 2008
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  5. Sukanta

    Sukanta Notebook Guru

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    Charging battery while always permatantly plugged in is not phenominal issue.. Battery looses power when not in use..(plugged in).. so after in goes some thresold value and trigger the top up charge to charge it to full.... and you dont need to be panic as there are overcharge protection circuit in laptops so cannt overchange it.. but asMt9 says..it may be a problem of your adaptor or the power supply also.. try remove the battery and use the computer for some time.. if it restart abrabtly.. then you know you smell a problem..
     
    Sukanta, Jan 25, 2008
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