Do HP ze4430us's possibly have weak batteries?

My battery seems weak. It seems to last like 30+mins if I am watching a movie or something so I don't know, maybe that is normal. I want one of those 14.8volt batteries, but I am a poor college student that can't shell out $100+ right now, so any suggestions?

 

Get MobileMeter and see what your Wear Level is reported as on the Options | Battery Information tab. I suspect it'll be very high (mine is still 0% after 10 months of use, though I think that's unusually good). If your notebook is still under warranty and the wear level is high enough HP should replace the battery free of charge.

 

Hmm, don't know. What's yours? If it's over 10%, I'd call HP and ask them if they'll replace it under warranty. From the behavior you described I'd guess that it's well above 10%, assuming I guessed right about the wear level being the problem.

 

what is considered a high wear level %?

 

Well, the mobilemeter is still going so I am guessing I am going to get a percentage telling me what the wear level is, right? I bought my computer from HP between Sept. and Oct. of '03 so is that still considered a warrenty or is it just a lifetime warrenty?

 

Hey brianstretch,
I downloaded the mobilemeter app only to discover that my battery shows a Wear Level of 43%. It's Designed Capacity is 88800 mWh; it's Fully Charged Capacity is now 50157 mWh. This is shocking to me because my zx5078cl is only 9 months old and is constantly powered by the hp notebook expansion base.

Do these numbers indicate enough of a problem for me to gain a free replacement battery from hp?

Jeremy

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jxtx: Yes, I should think so. Apparently it's a fairly common problem.

snoopspalace: Right-click on the MobileMeter display, select Options, and select the Battery Information tab. You'll see "Wear Level" as one of the Items displayed. I don't know what HP's warranty is on the batteries.

 

I have a wear level of 60% and a designed capacity at 65120mWh and I am running at 26048mWh. That seems pretty bad from what I understand. Should I call HP as well looking for a replacement battery?

 

Just a quick update...

I e-mailed hp this morning, heard back from James, and should have a new battery and power adapter on the way soon. I never thought I was losing battery capacity because my notebook is always docked on the hp notebook expansion base. But apparently, my 43% Wear Level was enough to prompt hp to send a replacement. Your 60% should qualify.

My power adapter has been a concern from day one. The outer insulation is pulled away from the metal cord. My sister has the same problem. Strange.

Jeremy

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Ok thanks. Who exactly did you email at HP other then "James"?

 

http://wwemail.support.hp.com/fd2/EmailForm?countrycode=us&langcode=en&sni=hppavilion331512&lang=en&cc=us

That is where I am guessing I am suppose to send an email to.

 

They told me I have to buy another one because he doesn't think my laptop is under warrenty. Anything I can do?

 

Quick update...

I ordered a replacement battery from HP on January 4 for my 9 month old notebook. The new battery is still not in my possession today, January 20.

Here's the interesting part: my failing battery showed a Wear Level of 43% on January 4, 47% yesterday, and 52% today! I am left with just over one hour of battery power for my zx5078cl. My sister has a zx5040us of nearly the same age and use. Her Wear Level is 0%!

Strange.

Jeremy
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Another update...

I received my replacement battery a couple of days ago and noticed that the wear level was 3% right out of the box. I charged the battery to full capacity, discharged it completely, and fully charged it again. Now the wear level is 7%!

Could there be something wrong with the power sub-system of my notebook that causes rapid wear?

Curious.

Jeremy

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