Tech Today Online - View Single Post - Tough lesson on Rechargeable PC Batteries

Bodryn · 07-20-2010, 09:23 PM

My rechargeable battery lesson: I needed another rechargeable battery for an older DOS laptop so I went to Batteries Plus, paid some $138 for the battery, went back, put it in the computer, it worked, so I was satisfied. A few days later I was going to do some serious stuff with it, so I turned it on, whoops, the battery would no longer take a charge! See, these batteries are no longer made, I was just sold a "reconditioned" one. I couldn't return it right away, so, $138 down the drain. And Toshiba laptops seem to be designed so they won't run without a good battery in place.

I do want to use these older laptop computers - they're well made, and have excellent keyboards. They could be excellent candidates for something like FreeDOS or an older Linux that takes little room. So I plan to use a little electronics skill to jury rig a battery system to duplicate the battery. Not so convenient maybe, but it ought to work.

I'd say that when you buy a laptop, be sure it will run even without a battery. None of mine do, but I understand some will.

07-20-2010, 09:23 PM	#1
Bodryn Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Minnesota; Manitoba Posts: 90	Tough lesson on Rechargeable PC Batteries My rechargeable battery lesson: I needed another rechargeable battery for an older DOS laptop so I went to Batteries Plus, paid some $138 for the battery, went back, put it in the computer, it worked, so I was satisfied. A few days later I was going to do some serious stuff with it, so I turned it on, whoops, the battery would no longer take a charge! See, these batteries are no longer made, I was just sold a "reconditioned" one. I couldn't return it right away, so, $138 down the drain. And Toshiba laptops seem to be designed so they won't run without a good battery in place. I do want to use these older laptop computers - they're well made, and have excellent keyboards. They could be excellent candidates for something like FreeDOS or an older Linux that takes little room. So I plan to use a little electronics skill to jury rig a battery system to duplicate the battery. Not so convenient maybe, but it ought to work. I'd say that when you buy a laptop, be sure it will run even without a battery. None of mine do, but I understand some will. __________________ Bodryn ======== "Where are we going? And why are we in this handbasket?"