HP Pavilion zx5000 Battery Problems

[bjwilley56]

My Battery won't hold a charge for more than 30 minutes. I've tried the troubleshooting I found in the HP support. I tried downloading what I thought was a new driver but all I got was a new headache with Websearch Toolbar. I've had the motherboard replace in this under waranty about 6 mos ago. It's coming up on it's one year anniversary. Any suggestions?

[david eaton]

The battery is either dead, or dying, would be my first thought. One other thing to check is the mains charger. Is it putting out the correct voltage, so that the battery is getting charged?

[PrntRhd]

In addition to what David posted:
The AC adapter provides the power but the control for the battery charging process is performed by a dedicated internal board in the notebook. That battery charge control board may go bad and cause battery charging issues.

[bjwilley56]

How do I test the battery charge control board? How long do batteries normally last?

[Mark Miller]

I have a very similar notebook as you and the battery should last at least 3.5 to up to 5 hours.
Mark

[david eaton]

How do I test the battery charge control board?
Without the circuit diagram, and experience in troubleshooting electronic assemblies - you don't. It is most likely integrated with the motherboard, so not possible to replace anyway.
Check that the mains adapter is pushing out the correct voltage, and if it is, the only alternative is a new battery.

[bjwilley56]

What is the average life span of a battery?

[bjwilley56]

Without the circuit diagram, and experience in troubleshooting electronic assemblies - you don't. It is most likely integrated with the motherboard, so not possible to replace anyway.
Check that the mains adapter is pushing out the correct voltage, and if it is, the only alternative is a new battery.

OK How do I check the Mains adapter. (Guess I'm not the expert I profess to be ;) )

[ranjit jacob]

call up HP and inform them the same they can ship u a different battery .. but do it before ur warranty expires

[bjwilley56]

Thank you I wll do that.

[rtjacks2]

In addition to what David posted:
The AC adapter provides the power but the control for the battery charging process is performed by a dedicated internal board in the notebook. That battery charge control board may go bad and cause battery charging issues.

David, I have a zx5000 that I've had for seems like 7 or 8 years w/ no major issues. The laptop is a solid machine. Recently I've started to have the battery charging issue. The laptop will charge for about 10 minutes and then it will go to battery power. From there, if I remove the power supply and reinstall it most times it goes back to charging and if I do it enough it will charge the battery until "100%". Other times the battery charging light just flashes and it doesn't recognize the AC plug. In the past I had to replace the battery w/ a 2nd hand battery for another issue, but this problem is fairly new.

The battery seems to hold it's charge, but I don't know if it is fault free. I don't want to spring major funds for a new battery or even more massive funds on a new laptop, but something has to give. I've tested my power supply and it is registering 18.64V so I guess it is good. Should I try a new battery or the mother board? I am dangerous enough to try the mother board, but I don't know if it is worth it. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks,

Ron