Laptop Battery Problems

Laptop batteries can be one of the most frustrating parts of an older laptop. They only last 15 minutes, or maybe only 2 seconds, perhaps explode, etc. I created this site to try to document and analyze these problems.

How notebook batteries work
The battery consists of a plastic outer case, metal electrical contacts, an inner metal case filled with a chemical and special electrical contacts called electrodes, and lastly, perhaps some control circuitry.

Note that the actual charging circuit is usually part of the laptop main board.

Battery chemistry
• Lithium Ion (LIon)
• Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH)
• Others...

Control circuitry
Different batteries may have none, some, or all of these circuits.

Overheat protection: A thermal sensor and circuit cuts off charging and/or usage if the battery gets too hot.

Over-current / short-circuit protection: Like a circuit breaker, if the current is too high this will cut off the electricity coming from the battery to prevent explosion or fire.

Over-discharge protection: Certain battery chemistry, such as Lithium Ion, will break down if the battery gets discharged below a certain point. This circuit cuts off usage just before this point is reached.

Status meter / battery tester: Many modern battery have a button you can push, and a meter of LEDs will show you how charged the battery is.

Reconditioning
Sometimes, battery performance can be improved through a process called reconditioning. This is usually a special pattern of charges and discharges designed to get the chemicals back to their original state. I suppose shaking might also be involved, as certain substances may build up near the electrodes inside.

Case Studies & Anecdotes

Gataway Solo 5300
Once fully charged, the charging circuit will not reactivate until after you have used the laptop under battery power. However, the battery slowly drains itself over time. The result is that if you have had the laptop plugged in to the AC for too long, the result will be a dead battery. The solution? Unplug the laptop from the AC for just a minute, and then reconnect. The battery will recharge.

Additionally, when using the battery, the power level detected by Windows when the computer first comes on sometimes is very low, such as 5%, causing Windows to automatically go back into standby. However, by turning it on again, you discover that now the battery is almost fully changed.

HP Pavilion N5000 series (N5430)
By the end of the first year of use, the battery charge ended up only being good enough for 30 seconds of operation. :-/ Warranty service would have been a good idea.

Windows Worm Numbers Reaches Millions

Worm infections spreading through computers, networks, pin drives are reaching in millions due to low profile security measures. In October 2008, different malicious computer programs like conficker, downadup and kido were discovered; these are the most common known malicious software attacking our computers. Antivirus firm F-secure estimated the amount of infected machines have reached the figure of 8-9 million. There has been several warning by experts about this figure that it can go far higher and they should install Microsoft MS08-067 patch and keep anti-virus software updated.

While in Interview with BBC, Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant told that the situation has never been this bad and outbreak on this scale had not been seen for quite some time. He also told that :

"Microsoft did a good job of updating people's home computers, but the virus continues to infect business who have ignored the patch update.
"A shortage of IT staff during the holiday break didn't help and rolling out a patch over a large number of computers isn't easy.
"What's more, if your users are using weak passwords - 12345, QWERTY, etc - then the virus can crack them in short order," he added.
"But as the virus can be spread with USB memory sticks, even having the Windows patch won't keep you safe. You need anti-virus software for that."

How worm spread in windows?

Microsoft has release the information about the working of worm spreading in the windows platform. First of all it searched for executable file called “services.exe” and gets embedded into it. “Services.exe” is windows file which performs important functions in windows. It then copy itself into window system folder “system32” with random file name but in extension of DLL file, it can be something like piftoc.dll etc, it normally named itself from 5 to 8 character, after naming it modifies the registry entries, listing important windows settings so that it could run infected ..DLL file as window default system file. When worm is up and running it creates HTTP server, it resets machine system restore point and starts to download files from different hacking sites and or start uploading crucial and personal information like name, password etc. Most malware uses predictable ways to download and upload files which are easy to locate and shut down. Whereas Conficker makes things way more complicated for finding and terminating its actions. According to antivirus firm F-secure this worn is programmed very complicated algorithm which in result generate hundreds of fake domain names such as abed.com,hturp.net etc. Out of which only one domain is used to download or upload data. Finding the site out of so many sites makes detection almost impossible procedure.

Alternatives

Interviewed by BBC, Kaspersky Lab's security analyst, Eddy Willems, said that a new strain of the worm was complicating matters.

"There was a new variant released less than two weeks ago and that's the one causing most of the problems," said Mr Willems" The replication methods are quite good. It's using multiple mechanisms, including USB sticks, so if someone got an infection from one company and then takes his USB stick to another firm, it could infect that network too. It also downloads lots of content and creating new variants though this mechanism." "Of course, the real problem is that people haven't patched their software," he mentioned.

According to Microsoft malware has infected millions of computers in almost of every parts of the world including in China, Brazil, Russia, and India having the highest number of victims.

Microsoft also says, they have detected millions of unique IP infected, they can be disinfection but it will bring issue of unauthorized access issue.

Recommendations: We have good chances for protecting our computers by making sure that we update crucial security updates at any cost, and we use antivirus programs and keep its signature file updated for maximum protection.

Laptop Screen Breakage

Laptops are sensitive gadgets. Since we move it around from places to place there are more chances for us to make a stupid mistake to break some thing out of it. Most common part of notebooks which are mostly get the treat is "laptop screen" Laptop LCDs are most attractive and most sensitive part, if it falls or little pressure is exerted over LCD it can break and ruin the the laptop forever. That is understood most of LCD breaking tragidies happens because of accidental fall, but you will not believe that there are many people who braeks LCDS with thumb by applying pressure on screen just to see the liquad and colors of the screen moving inside. Try to avoid this childish act because this action can cost you your laptop.

There is one more reason for broken LCDs, which is shutting it down forcefully. Forcefully shut downing the half of the portion (lcd)of laptop breaks it after hitting on the top of the other half of notebook. Always close the laptop with your hand until it meet the jacks which holds the entire laptop togather.

Some time LCDs breaks due to carring it in hands without case and it falls accidently. It cannot only break LCD but damage your notebook futher more to the level of complete useless, even after installing new Lcd. So it is always recommended to carry your laptop in its case so you can grip it better. There are lesser chances for its breakage in its case than without it.

Laprop Running Slow

Operating system making system slow and no function can be performed smoothly. This kind of problem is very common among most of window users, especially who are using win 2000 and win xp. This problem is not just limited to laptops but it is very common in desktop computers also as same operating systems are required to run both desktops and laptops.

There can be many reasons for running computer slow. There can be virus issues which might have attacked operating system who is using most of the resources of the computer. It does not leave behind much of the memory for the rest of the important processes to run computer smoothly. In this case what is the most recommend step is to scan computer for viruses and malware. Most of us know about viruses but malware or worms are new things which have started attacking more often these days. The task for malware is to upload information stored in the computer to the server and then certain actions could be performed using the information retrieved from the host computer. These entire process takes quite bit of memory of host computer hence makes it slow.

We can check the usage of our system by right clicking task bar and then click on “Task manager”, multiple tabs can be seen, representing different functions. Application tabs shows current applications which are been executed by computer, processes tabs show the current processes running and also tells useful information about the memory each process taking. The performance tab tells the usage of CPU. It should normally be, 1 to 5 % and if it is more than it, either many programs running on your computer simultaneously or there may be malicious activity going on within the computer.

In win XP SVCHOST.EXE, is the most common and active process you would see running into the processes tabs this process is about internet and network connectivity, there are many changes that your system is running slow as this processes is taking lot of memory and putting you computer to its maximum use. We need to monitor it carefully to find exact reason why it may be happening. Scan computer to verify that there is no malicious activity going on due to virus or malwares.

Third party software or services can be the reason for slowing down your computer, if we detect that 3th party service and disable it, system will start running smoothly. Some times when we leave behind open internet explorer windows it slows down the computer too and make SVHHOST.EXE to boost system usage, so it is recommended that if internet explorer is not required keep it closed until browsing the internet is required.

If you have not reset your laptop for over 24 hrs, it is recommended that you restart your notebook to run fresh operating system. It will unload useless processes which are uselessly taking place in laptop memory.

CD / DVD Reading or Writing Problems

DVD or CD reading issue is the most common problems encountered by every computer user at certain stage, whether it is laptop user or desktop computer operator because they operate on same mechanism. The common problem which occurs to CD/DVD Rom is not reading the inserted disk. Every DVD/CD Rom has certain life time which once over, it is over. However there are few steps and precautionary measure which can improve and increase the life of DVD/CD Rom. First I should mention what reduce life for these drives.

Mostly regular disk lens cleaning is not performed and dust particles starts setting on the surface of the lens in result making it harder for reading CDs inserted. It is highly recommended that lens cleaner should be used once in week to keep the lens clean for longer life time of DVD/CD drives.

One more reason for faulting is head of DVD/CD Rom. Head helps reading the inserted disk in drive, it has certain time during which it reads inserted disk easily but after words it starts skipping and eventually stops reading, the more header used the quicker it will lose the power to read. It is recommended to not to keep cds in side drives when it is not required. It will only use head uselessly. Insert Cds only when it is required, after using it take the disk out of the drive so that head is no more used, this way heads life can be increased and DVD/CD drives can perform better and for longer period of time.

BIOS / Driver Issues

When we purchased new laptops we are provided by latest drivers for hardware and Licence operating system CDs etc. As time go along we just use laptop for our work and do not update drivers, windows and latest released BIOS. BIOS is Binary Input / Output Systems. When we do not update windows, problems like slowing down of computer, attacking and effecting of different male ware malicious viruses and worms occur. This effect the performance of system and miss use the recourse of notebooks. In the same way when we do not update the drivers for hardware installed into the notebooks they eventually starts creating problems, problems like hanging computers, disconnections in case wireless internet or network connectivity. If we do not update drivers for our graphics cards lets say, it may not run certain programs in which Graphical memory is required. If we do not update sound cards driver lets say, we may never know what your hardware is offering you when latest drivers were released. There are so many other problem can come up if computer is not kept updated with operating systems, hardware drivers and BIOS information.

It is highly recommended that one should purchase licence copy of operating system so that they can avail the facility of keeping their systems update with latest features and enhancements offered to them. Once in every two months latest drivers for hardware should be installed to keep the hardware running smoothly with full effect. BIOS should also be updated once in while to keep the computer secure and update with latest features. BIOS can be downloaded from the website of manufacturers, you enter brand and model no. to your Laptop and it will provide you with latest BIOS updates required to be done.

Charging Cable Problems

Charging cable issue is another very common problem occurs with most of laptop users. Problems like cable breakage from the joint of charger adaptor and cable it self are the common one. When this kind problem occur, it can be deadly for notebook it self. Charging chord can be dangerous when it is loose from any where, it can create sparks and can burn any thing attached to it. Do not attach the chord which is broken or loose to any device or laptop. Basically this problem comes up the way we rap our notebook charger and place in its case. What we mostly do is we rap the power chord on the charger it self which in effect loose the joints of cable from charger and eventually its outer insulation breaks and internal wire become visible. To continue using charging chords of this condition can be dangerous for your charger, notebook and for your self also because its can spark and there is a chance of serious electric shock. It is strongly recommended to not to rap the wire on the charger.

Laptop Breaking Problems

Laptops are opened to start work and it has to be closed for shutting it down. During this on going process of opening and closing it we usually make mistakes which damage the sensitive portion of laptops which join both halves of machine together. This kind of damage is mostly occurred due to the way of our holding habits of notebooks. Of course no one do that on purpose but holding it with certain angles put joints under immense pressure which eventually break them apart and bring laptop life to its very end.

The major and most un noticeable act of users is of holding it with two hands, grabbing lower portion of machine with one both hand and LCD portion hanging in air all by it self, in this certain way it effect corner edges of notebook and by continuing this way of holding will definitely break or lose the joints holding both portions together.

It is always recommend closing the machine and then moving it around, this way it will be in better grip and no pressure would be exerted on joints of laptops, hence giving it life for longer period of time. One other safe way of holding your open laptop is by holding it from lower body with one of the hands, and hold the LCD corner with other hand. by this no extra pressure or force would be exerted over laptop joints and it will continue to keep the joints together for long time.

One very obvious and common reason for this kind of breakage is shutting the laptop down with force or leaving it in half way so that it fall it self, opening it forcefully can damage it too. Applying extra pressure on laptops’ one half puts extra pressure on the other half. This pressure is exerted on the joints of the laptop which hold both the halves together. It is highly recommend to open and close your laptop politely and with soft hands and do not apply extra force to quickly open it, it will only effect and damage from sensitive points.