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    CF29 mk4, blinking red light?

    Discussion in 'Panasonic' started by kd8npb, Oct 1, 2011.

  1. kd8npb

    kd8npb Notebook Enthusiast

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    I was using my Toughbook last night until it got to the point where it said "Your battery is low, you should save your work blah blah blah". So I plugged it in, and left for a friend's house.

    Well, now I'm getting the "failed battery blinky red light of death".

    There is no battery bar displayed. Just a blank yellow bar with a red X.

    Here's the confusing part: I can run my computer without the power supply plugged in. It still displays no battery bar, and if I check power options, it says "Current Power Source: AC power".

    I bought this Toughbook Dec 2010 from Tigerdirect. The battery looked new, but I'm unsure of that.

    I can see a tiny bit of green corrosion on the internal pins. I already scrubbed the battery connectors with a toothbrush, no luck.

    Also, after a lot of powering off, removing the battery, putting it back in, and powering on, I DID get the battery bar to display my battery life...it said I was at 32%. However, with the power supply plugged in, I still got the blinking red light.

    Suggestions?
     
    kd8npb, Oct 1, 2011
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  2. Alex

    Alex Super Moderator

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    I have seen the blinking red light on aftermarket battery's where the chip has decided the battery is failed, but it will run for some time
    The problem now is that the charger will not add to your battery, a safety feature to prevent it blowing up so look for a new replacement asap
     
    Alex, Oct 1, 2011
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  3. ares93

    ares93 Notebook Evangelist

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    sounds like the controller in the battery decided to bugger off. Run the calibration utility, it should be in bios (at least it is on my cf-28)

    you probably need one of the masters for this, i'm a rookie when it comes to toughbooks. and every model seems to have its own pet pevee.

    Edit: seems like i took my time writing this...
     
    ares93, Oct 1, 2011
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  4. kd8npb

    kd8npb Notebook Enthusiast

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    The wonderful "F9 on startup" battery calibration tool tells me that I don't have a battery installed.

    I'm leaning more towards the chip, since even when it did detect the battery, I still got a blinking red light.

    Well. :(

    I am fairly handy with a soldering pencil, but I am not very good with SMT circuitry.
     
    kd8npb, Oct 1, 2011
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  5. ares93

    ares93 Notebook Evangelist

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    Mate, if youre thinking of replacing the cells, dont. Just dont. Its like asking for something to go wrong. You're buggered unless you buy a new battery.
     
    ares93, Oct 1, 2011
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  6. kd8npb

    kd8npb Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have a lot of doubt that replacing the battery would change my situation at all.

    I'm leaning more towards internal circuitry failure, but I'm looking for confirmation of that.
     
    kd8npb, Oct 1, 2011
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  7. Alex

    Alex Super Moderator

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    The circuitry /chip is in the battery
    Replace the battery
     
    Alex, Oct 1, 2011
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  8. kd8npb

    kd8npb Notebook Enthusiast

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    ... :D

    Panasonic officially kicks .

    Any suggested battery retailers, or should I just poke around on ebay for a new yellow tag?
     
    kd8npb, Oct 1, 2011
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  9. Alex

    Alex Super Moderator

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    Just poke around for an original CF-VZSU29AS 7.8Ah (the latest highest capacity)
    USA sellers, stay away from China
     
    Alex, Oct 1, 2011
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  10. TopCop1988

    TopCop1988 Toughbook Aficionado

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    TopCop1988, Oct 1, 2011
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  11. Alex

    Alex Super Moderator

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    That works Topcop , but use the place an offer to save some Texas money lol
    He go's by Texas Ray btw
     
    Alex, Oct 1, 2011
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