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    Bad Dell Battery

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by jack24, Jun 19, 2009.

  1. jack24

    jack24 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi, I just hit the year mark with my Dell xps 1330 and even though it has been a great machine so far, I now keep getting the message that my battery is reaching the end of it's usable life. It used to last around 4 hours on full power and now it only lasts about 30 minutes. Is there any way to get Dell to replace it? Is it normal for a battery to suck in only a year? DO I just have to eat it and buy a new battery?
    I also have an inspiron 6000 and the battery is still performing pretty well after 4 years.
     
    jack24, Jun 19, 2009
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  2. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

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    Dell batteries have a 1 year warranty (i think for at least 50% of original charge), if it only a few days over you can try call them, they are not obligated to replace it if your warranty is over.
     
    namaiki, Jun 19, 2009
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  3. jackluo923

    jackluo923 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Can you try calibrating the battery meter? Run the laptop until it automatically shuts down. Then turn it on again, until it reaches 0% and shuts off again. Then keep on trying to turn the computer on until the power button no longer responds, no lights, no fan or anything will respond, then plug your charger in the laptop and let it charge until full. Then turn on your laptop and your battery life should improve significantly.
     
    jackluo923, Jun 19, 2009
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  4. Mastershroom

    Mastershroom wat

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    ^That is not necessary, nor does it work, for lithium ion batteries.

    jack24, if Dell does not replace your battery, don't buy a new one from them; they'll charge you an arm and a leg. Get one from a parts reseller, or even eBay.
     
    Mastershroom, Jun 19, 2009
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  5. jackluo923

    jackluo923 Notebook Virtuoso

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    That's what you think, but not the reality.

    By "battery" i mean the battery pack, not the li-ion cells. The calibration is for the EC, not the lithium ion cells.
     
    jackluo923, Jun 19, 2009
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  6. Mastershroom

    Mastershroom wat

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    Well, it hasn't done a damn thing for the past 4 batteries that have died on me.

    Also, you're the same guy that says I can set a 1280x800 display to run 1920x1200, so I'm taking what you say with a grain of salt. :p
     
    Mastershroom, Jun 19, 2009
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  7. jackluo923

    jackluo923 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Which laptop are you using?
    Normally, if you go to "advanced display properties" and disable "hide modes that this monitor can't display" setting, apply, and then you can adjust to higher than native resolution settings.
     
    jackluo923, Jun 19, 2009
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  8. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

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    but then the whole screen scrolls..
     
    namaiki, Jun 19, 2009
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  9. jackluo923

    jackluo923 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Some screens have scrolling capabilities and some don't. But nevertheless, you can set the screen resolution to 1920x1200 easily.
     
    jackluo923, Jun 19, 2009
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  10. ivar

    ivar Notebook Deity

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    Your last chance still may be to put the battery to the fridge for few months and then calibrate. No joke.
     
    ivar, Jun 20, 2009
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