New Battery Dilemma

Hi,

I'm a fairly new poster, sorry if I've bypassed the protocols not introducing myself and the like - I mean no disrespect...

Well... Here is my problem:

Acer Aspire 9300-3089, Vista Home Basic... (specs are: 2.2gHz AMD Turion, 3 GB DDR2, Bios Version 1.2)

(lots of other people with numerous brands of notebooks have similar troubles... I googled and got countless sites and no relevant solutions)

I bought two new batteries, thinking "I've learned alot about caring for Lithium Ion batteries in the last year or so, and I need a new battery anyhow, why not buy two so i can compute for hours and hours away from power outlets". It was pricy, I don't have to tell you... and... being that I'm a moron, I ordered and bought the batteries at the exact store I bought the computer from (Staples in Sherbrooke, QC), and they were, on the recommendation of the Staples employee, the only available replacement battery for my model.

Two important factors to make note of at this point...
1) The original battery was 11.X volts... X number of mAh
2) The new batteries are 14.8 volts... x number of mAh

Despite this incongruency, the staples employee and I had every reason to believe that this battery would be compatible with my system, as all the websites and catalogs listed this new model battery as the replacement battery for my model notebook. I was assured it would be an Acer battery, but it appears to be third party - bear that in mind also.

However, these new batteries are not recognized by Windows Vista (SP1). I've tried them both. I've tried removing and replacing both while on AC power, and I've disabled my ACPI-Compatible Controller and re-enabled it, I even uninstalled and allowed windows to reinstall... Then I checked for physical problems - like lint, dust, bent copper connections, any kind of irregularity, nothing... This is key: when I put my old (now dead) battery back in, the battery indicator recognized it and indicates that it is charging, normal.

So... It doesn't seem like its software related, that's fair to say I think. It's probably the battery. But could it be that the ACPI drivers just don't dig the new 14.8 v battery(the only available replacement battery)? I ask this because... (this is the bizarre part)

I'm operating on battery power right now.

As per the battery's instructions, it said to fully charge the battery while the computer is off, and then fully discharge the battery, at which point I was to recharge it once more... this is the initial... whatever... calibration that the battery manufacturer recommends... So, I had it plugged in for a number of hours, and knowing that the quick charge time is like... an hour to an hour and half (can't remember exactly), I was starting to worry because the battery charge indicator light was still blinking red, then green, and hadn't turned solid green yet.

So the situation I'm in right now is that I have an apparently fully charged battery, I can boot on battery power, do all kinds of stuff but as far as Vista is concerned there is no battery and I have no way to tell how much battery life I have left... so...

Lots of people are having this problem, and I even saw a thread or two that seemed to imply that Microsoft is aware of this issue and may or may not be working on a solution... (at least, is aware of similar issues with other brands of notebook)... but... does anyone here have the same problem or know a solution? At the moment I can't afford the $60 fee to get Microsoft to pay attention to you via their support site.

This is going to give me an ulcer... please help

 

Yup. The Batteries don't charge at all. They must've come partly charged from the manufacturer. after one initial use, they won't charge... so... Short version is... I got ripped off by some Staples lackey. LAME. Where's Acer with the readily accessible replacement batteries, though? Their website (for Canadian customers) barely works half the time.

I'm still holding out hope that this can be fixed by new drivers or a new bios or something.

 

I hope it works out for you, I've been taken around the bend by employee's before as well, and it's no good.

I would imagine (although I can't say for sure, this is a guess) that a battery is fixed at a certain voltage, unlike a AC adapter, which can be used as long as it's available voltage is greater than the requirements.

Shame on Staples, they like to encourage their employees to use their 'knowledge', which is anything but sometimes..

 

Yeah it worked out OK after all. I returned the batteries. Luckily I was able to speak with the dude who sold them to me, and he gave me a full refund instead of the 75% they normally offer for special-order items. So, at least I'm not out 400 bucks.

Acer needs to get their act together where it concerns accessories/parts distribution.