Battery light flashes

Question

Hello,

I have a Dell Ibspiron 6000 laptop that I bought about 15 months ago. Yesterday the battery light started flashing. It flashes once green and then four oranges. I turned off the computer for the night so the battery will cool down, in case it got overheated, like the Dell website suggests (the didn't feel warm though), but today it does it again. The funny thing is that it does charge the battery, but it won't stop flashing. Any ideas what the problem is? My battery, by the way, is not one of the ones being recalled by Dell.

Thanks in advance :)
Sharon

bandanaman · Answer

hi i had the same problem with my 1150, it ran ok on mains but the fan constantly ran this i believe is caused by the battery putting strain on the charging circuit, unfortunately for me i left the battery in the laptop and it over heated causing the screen inverter (the part that makes the light come on) to burn out, so yes the laptop can be used but only on mains and with the battery removed   shaun

ejn63 · Answer

One or more of the cells in the battery has failed. If the system is less than 12 months old, call Dell for a new battery. If it's older, start budgeting for a new battery.

sharondy · Answer

Thanks ejn63. Do you have any idea of what caused it? I bought it less than 15 months ago... . Can I use my laptop until I get a new battery?

bandanaman · Answer

also i fogot to add that from what i can tell the batterys only have a life span of 15 - 18 months

sharondy · Answer

Thanks bandanman! I removed the battery and now I'm using the laptop only with the power adapter until I can get a new one. I hope it's ok.

jec4312 · Answer

I don't know if you have ever done this, but if not when you get your new battery every week or two take out the power adaptor and use battery power only until the meter shows say 35% charge left, then replace the power adaptor and recharge the battery to 100%. This is supposed to give a better battery life. The battery meter is found in Control Panel, Power Options.

Rollie_R · Answer

All,   The procedure suggested by jec4312 is unlikely to help in this situation, though it is worth a try.  It is, however, an excellent suggestion for those with batteries that have not failed.  For want of a better way to say it, Lithium-Ion batteries like being exercised, that is exercised, not exorcised.  I have found several places that suggest periodically draining the battery 40-60%, and then recharging.  Lots of short battery discharging and recharging does not help, but occasional deeper discharging and recharging can help promote battery life.  Also, deep discharges (100%) do not help, and can reduce overall battery life.

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Battery light flashes

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