Member Avatar for sameclarke

Hi, my old and trusty compaq 900 will not work of the battery. Laptop works OK from from main power supply, I get battery charging light on solid for while then it flashes. Contral panel battery battery options power meter shows 0% charge.
Tried taking out and reseating battery and 2 day charge but nothing, anybody got any ideas?

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by sameclarke

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Following 's post and 's observation, here are concise, practical checks to confirm the fault and safe next steps before buying a replacement.

  • Visually inspect the pack for swelling, torn casing, or corrosion on the contacts. If swollen, stop using it and arrange proper recycling.
  • Verify the AC adapter: read the voltage on the label, then measure the adapter output with a multimeter (adapter plugged into mains but disconnected from the laptop). The measured DC voltage should match the label.
  • With the battery removed, check the battery terminals for corrosion and clean gently with isopropyl alcohol if needed.
  • Measure the battery pack voltage directly (battery removed from laptop). Compare to the pack rating printed on it; a much lower voltage indicates a failed pack.
  • Enter BIOS/Setup or vendor diagnostics (if available) and look for any battery-health information or built-in tests.

If these checks point to the battery, replace it using the exact part number or a reputable compatible pack (avoid unusually cheap sellers; check returns/warranty). If the adapter or DC jack fails the tests, repairing those is often cheaper than a new battery. For any measurement you are unsure about, have a local technician perform the tests to avoid risk.

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Member Avatar for caperjack

the battery has died ,won't hold a charge anymore ! they don't last forever,

Member Avatar for sameclarke

the battery has died ,won't hold a charge anymore ! they don't last forever,

Thanks, it was worth a try, searching for a new battery :(

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